:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66302088/1196298245.jpg.0.jpg)
Each winter, Acme Packing Company breaks down the Green Bay Packers’ roster from the previous year by position to examine the team’s performance and needs in the offseason. We continue our look at the inside linebackers.
With a full blown rebuild of the inside linebacker position forthcoming for the Green Bay Packers, it’s time to look at the two pending free agents they have at the position.
With Blake Martinez and B.J. Goodson both scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency in March, the Packers could be looking at two new starters at the position in 2020 (Oren Burks could be one and though he’s entering his third season he hasn’t often been the true “starter”) which isn’t surprising given how poorly the group performed in 2019.
Here’s a look at each of the free-agents-to-be.
Blake Martinez
NFL Experience: 4 years
Free Agent Status: Unrestricted
Expiring Contract: 4 years, $2.72 million total
The big name is of course Martinez. He hasn’t done anything wrong per se since taking over as the defender calling the plays relayed from coordinator Mike Pettine, but he hasn’t been spectacular either.
In other words, he’s A.J Hawk 2.0. The only difference is Martinez wasn’t a top ten draft pick like Hawk was. That helped soften expectations but it’s clear now Martinez won’t be the difference maker inside like the Smith brothers are on the outside.
Still, Martinez does a lot well and he is more than likely to earn a big paycheck this March.
It just won’t be paid from Green Bay unless he offers them a solid hometown discount.
B.J. Goodson
NFL Experience: 5 years
Free Agent Status: Unrestricted
Expiring Contract: 4 years, $2.92 million
Goodson started nine games in 2019 but made a minimal impact. Since he was brought over via trade from the New York Giants in early September, he was meant to replace the released Josh Jones.
Goodson could be brought back to Green Bay as depth at relatively cheap price, but with general manager Brian Gutekunst likely eyeing a major influx of talent at the position, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Goodson playing elsewhere in 2020.
The Packers have to know they can do better than what Martinez and Goodson are as players, which is why it’s a smart bet that neither will be wearing the green and gold when teams reconvene for their offseason programs in spring.