*Walt taking 2014 and 2018 |
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst |
Packers Really Want to Re-Sign Eddie Lacy
Updated March 2, 2017By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.
Many around the league thought that the Packers would move on from veteran running back Eddie Lacy this offseason. Lacy has had injury and weight issues that have held him back the past two seasons, while the 2017 NFL Draft is very strong at the running back position with good talent to extend from the early rounds into the third day of the draft (our 2017 NFL Draft Running Back Prospect Rankings.) As a result, many thought that Green Bay would chose to get younger and cheaper, letting Lacy leave in free agency. However, after speaking with sources at the Packers, the team definitely wants to re-sign Lacy to a contract extension.
League sources think that after the past two seasons, Lacy probably won’t land a lucrative long-term extension. Rather, he is more likely to sign a short-term deal with the hope of cashing in on free agency after a bounce back 2017 season. Last offseason, Packers edge rusher Nick Perry followed that pattern by signing a 1-year deal and then having his best season as a pro. Perry increased his value significantly, and Lacy hopes to do that next year.
The Packers would probably be Lacy’s best hope to have a bounce-back year. He already knows the offense and obviously sees better run fronts than most backs, given their passing attack led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. By re-signing Lacy, the Packers could address their defense in the early rounds of the draft and then find a backup running back in the mid-rounds. Green Bay wants Lacy back, but it remains to be seen if they are able to agree on a contract.
