Free brokers to observe in 2021 NFC Championship: What the long run holds for Aaron Jones, Antonio Brown and extra


The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Inexperienced Bay Packers are set to face off within the NFC Championship recreation this Sunday, and the winner of the matchup will safe a spot in Tremendous Bowl LV. The 2 quarterbacks headline this matchup — and for good motive. Tom Brady is the postseason all-time chief in begins (43), completions (1,065), passing yards (11,968), passing touchdowns (77) and Tremendous Bowl titles (6), whereas Aaron Rodgers led the NFL with 48 passing touchdowns this season, which is tied for the fifth-most in a single season. Each groups have elite offensive weapons as properly, resembling Aaron Jones and Davante Adams for the Packers, and Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown for the Bucs.

Whereas the Buccaneers and Packers are targeted on making it to Tremendous Bowl LV, 28 different groups have already shifted their focus to the offseason. With that clearly comes getting ready without cost company, and different common managers will likely be watching Sunday’s convention championship video games with sure gamers on expiring contracts in thoughts. Under, we’ll checklist each Buccaneers and Packers free agent — whether or not they be unrestricted, restricted or an exclusive-rights free agent — and focus on the highest gamers from every staff. Let’s begin with the Buccaneers. (h/t Spotrac).

Key Buccaneers free brokers

LB Shaquil Barrett

Barrett proved to be an enormous pickup for the Buccaneers final 12 months, as he recorded an NFL-best 19.5 sacks. The previous undrafted free agent out of Colorado State did not have that very same form of manufacturing in 2020, as he recorded 57 mixed tackles and eight sacks in 15 video games performed, however he was nonetheless an essential participant on this protection. The 2 sides could not comply with phrases on a brand new deal final offseason, so the Bucs positioned the franchise tag on him. Will they discover extra luck in negotiations this time round, or might Barrett be enjoying for a brand new staff in 2021?

LB Lavonte David

David has spent his total profession with the Buccaneers, and his manufacturing hasn’t slowed down despite the fact that he’s about to show 31. In 2020, he recorded 117 mixed tackles, 1.5 sacks, three pressured fumbles and 12 tackles for loss. In 9 seasons, he didn’t file 100 mixed tackles simply as soon as! David has additionally been essential for Tampa Bay’s protection within the postseason, as he has recorded 16 mixed tackles and a sack in two video games. His influence as a pacesetter for this unit can’t be overstated.

TE Rob Gronkowski

Gronk got here out of retirement to play along with his outdated pal in Brady, and whereas he wasn’t the No. 1 possibility on offense, he was efficient in a number of video games this season. In 16 video games performed this 12 months, he caught 45 passes for 623 yards and 7 touchdowns. If he needs to present it one other go together with the Bucs, it’s a must to think about the 2 sides will be capable to get one other one-year deal accomplished. 

DT Ndamukong Suh

Suh could also be 34 now, however he has been an efficient defensive lineman for the Bucs. This season, he recorded 44 mixed tackles and 6 sacks — which marked essentially the most quarterback takedowns he had recorded because the 2015 season. He signed a one-year take care of Tampa Bay final offseason and definitely didn’t decelerate in 2020.

WR Antonio Brown

It is going to be fascinating to see what the Buccaneers resolve to do with the beforehand troubled wideout. Brown caught certainly one of three targets for 10 yards in opposition to the New Orleans Saints within the divisional spherical, however he had been approaching as of late. He caught two passes for 49 yards and a landing in opposition to Washington in Tremendous Wild-Card Weekend, and his greatest recreation as a Buc got here within the regular-season finale in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons, as he caught 11 of 15 targets for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Is enjoying in Tampa Bay a state of affairs he has turn out to be comfy with, or is he able to go some place else and attempt to be a No. 1 possibility once more?

WR Chris Godwin

It’s important to think about the Buccaneers will re-sign Godwin to a long-term extension sooner slightly than later. The third-round decide within the 2017 NFL Draft has caught 244 passes for 3,540 yards and 24 touchdowns in 58 profession video games performed with the Bucs, and he has been Brady’s favourite receiver this postseason. In two video games, he has caught 9 of 19 targets for 113 yards and a landing. 

RB Leonard Fournette

The previous No. 4 general decide within the 2017 NFL Draft rushed for simply 367 yards and 6 touchdowns for the Buccaneers within the common season, however he has stepped up within the playoffs. In Tampa Bay’s two postseason video games, Fournette has rushed for 156 yards and a landing on 36 carries, and he has performed a giant half in serving to the Buccaneers get to the NFC Championship recreation. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see how a lot consideration he can get on the open market, and if the Buccaneers are adamant about bringing him again. 

Remainder of the bunch 

Okay Ryan Succop
DT Steve McLendon
OT Joe Haeg
CB Ryan Smith
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches
QB Ryan Griffin
TE Antony Auclair
QB Blaine Gabbert
LB Kevin Minter
RB LeSean McCoy
S Andrew Adams
OT Josh Wells
CB Ross Cockrell
RB Kenjon Barner
WR Jaydon Mickens
LB Jack Cichy (RFA)
TE Tanner Hudson (ERFA)
RB T.J. Logan
DE Pat O’Connor (ERFA)
OG Aaron Stinnie (ERFA)
LS Zach Triner (ERFA)
LB Deone Bucannon

Packers key free brokers

RB Aaron Jones

Jones and the Packers have been in negotiations on a brand new deal for a while now, however nothing has come to fruition. Here is what ESPN’s Rob Demovsky just lately reported on the state of affairs: 

“The Packers had a deal on the desk that might have made Jones among the many high 5 highest-paid backs within the league, however that was when it comes to common per 12 months. The large assured cash was lacking. So Jones turned it down after which opted to alter brokers, hiring Drew Rosenhaus.”

Demovsky hypothesizes {that a} determination might have already been made relating to letting Jones go or a minimum of hit the market. It is no secret how essential Jones is as a dual-threat weapon within the Packers’ offense, so this offseason will certainly be an attention-grabbing one in relation to his future. 

C Corey Linsley

Linsley, who was drafted by the Packers within the fifth spherical of the 2014 NFL Draft, has turn out to be an elite inside offensive lineman, and was named a first-team All-Professional this previous season. It is secure to say he is set to obtain a bump in pay, and will fetch some intriguing affords on the open market. 

CB Kevin King

King’s state of affairs is an attention-grabbing one since he has struggled to remain wholesome throughout his 4 years within the league. He has by no means performed a full 16-game season, and has recorded 168 mixed tackles, six interceptions and 27 passes defensed in 41 profession video games. The 2019 season was his greatest as a professional, as he performed in 15 video games and recorded profession numbers throughout the board with 66 mixed tackles, 5 picks and 15 passes defensed. He did not file a decide this season, however did begin in all 12 video games he performed in.

WR Allen Lazard (ERFA)

Lazard is an exclusive-rights free agent, which as NFL.com explains is any participant with fewer than three accrued seasons and an expired contract. If his authentic staff affords him a one-year contract on the league minimal (primarily based on his credited seasons), the participant can not negotiate with different groups. Nonetheless, he has in all probability earned himself a pleasant increase in pay after a second consecutive profitable season, and he truly led the Packers in receiving in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams within the divisional spherical with 96 yards and a landing on 4 catches. 

TE Robert Tonyan (RFA)

Tonyan is a restricted free agent, which is a participant with three accrued seasons and an expired contract. With out getting an excessive amount of into element, NFL.com explains that RFAs are free to barter and signal with any staff, however their authentic staff can supply them certainly one of numerous qualifying affords (“tenders”) that include the Proper of First Refusal and/or draft-pick compensation. 

Tonyan discovered his method to the Packers late in 2017 after a apply squad stint with the Detroit Lions, after which exploded in 2020. After recording a complete of two touchdowns in his first two seasons in Inexperienced Bay, he caught a complete of 11 touchdowns in 2020 and changed into a respectable a part of this explosive offensive assault. With Marcedes Lewis additionally on an expiring contract, count on Tonyan to be again in 2021. 

Remainder of the bunch

OG Lane Taylor
TE Marcedes Lewis
RB Jamaal Williams
CB Chandon Sullian (RFA)
WR Tavon Austin
RB Tyler Ervin
DE Billy Winn
LB James Burgess
DE Montravius Adams
DE Tyler Lancaster (RFA)
FS Will Redmond (RFA)
CB Parry Nickerson (RFA)
WR Malik Taylor (ERFA)
LB Randy Ramsey (ERFA)
CB Kabion Ento (ERFA)
QB Tim Boyle (RFA)
S Raven Greene (RFA)
OT Yosh Nijman (ERFA)
DT Willington Prevlion (ERFA)



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