Finley has a substantial value to the Packers. Is it worth $8+ million? No, probably not. They are paying him a few million more than he is likely worth, but releasing him would likely hurt the Packers more than spending a few million extra for one more season would. I think that's the larger point. As I stated in another thread, sometimes players get paid more, or less, than they are worth for a season or two. It happens. Not every player on a roster makes exactly what they are worth every season (see AJ Hawk previously, Aaron Rodgers, CM3, etc.). It's not ideal, but it just happens.
Originally Posted by: doddpower
Fair enough, but if you cut him, you end up with just $500,000.- in dead money, if I understand correctly.
Martellus Bennett (4 years, $20 million)
Delanie Walker (4 years, $17.5M; $8.6M guaranteed)
Anthony Fasano (4 years, $16M; $4.5 signing bonus)
Tony Gonzalez (2 years, $14M; $7M guaranteed) -- Really just a one year, $7 million deal.
Dustin Keller (1 year, $4.25 million)
Brandon Myers (1 year, $2.25 million)
Especially on those later signings there's a lot of value. Keller is a better TE than Finley, yet, getting just half of his salary.
I would've cut Finley and signed a servicable FA. I'd even rather have a guy like Fred Davis at a reasonable price than carry Finley who's earning $8.5 million. That'd give you some space to either take look at another servicable player like Huff or, in hindsight, Pollard (signed for 1 year, $2.5 million).
Even if you wouldn't do that, it'd give you some space to negotiate with Matthews and put some of that cap money in this year... Or carry it over to next year.
Any way I look at it, I'm not a fan of this move.