Five Packers to Watch in 2017 | Ticket King Green Bay

The Green Bay Packers season came to an end this week in Atlanta, as they lost the NFC championship game 44-21. Before we begin the offseason, let's preview the Packers offseason

Who's the GM? None other than Ted Thompson. He has been the man in charge in Green Bay for a long time now. However, Thompson isn't getting any younger, and the Packers have a super-talented prodigy in 34-year-old Eliot Wolf, the son of Ron Wolf. Don't let the age bother you, Eliot Wolf has been actively involved in the Packers front office since he was a child, literally. It would be wise for Thompson to retire, and let Wolf assume the role.

Sam Shields- The former un-

drafted free agent out of Miami rose all the way to the top of the Packers cornerback depth chart, and for a short time, was an All-Pro caliber player and a defensive player of the year candidate on several occasions. However, concussions have derailed his career, and no reasonable doctor alive will ever clear him to play football again. If he does not retire, the Packers will have no choice but to release him.

Julius Peppers- The Packers rarely ever go into the free agent market, and when they do, it usually comes with success. Three years ago, Peppers was released by the Bears, and the Packers swooped him up, converting him to a rush linebacker. Peppers had success his first two years in the role, but showed signs of age the second half of the season. It might be time to let him go, if he does not choose to retire.

Jordy Nelson- Despite his numbers this season, one could tell that Jordy Nelson was simply not the same player he was before the torn ACL. These fractured ribs are going to suck even more talent out of him. Aaron Rodgers has this strange obsession with throwing the ball to Nelson these days whenever he is in the lineup. The Packers proved against the Giants and Cowboys they don't need him anymore. It may be time to release Jordy Nelson, if he chooses not to except a secondary role.

Clay Matthews- Linebackers, like running backs tend to burn out pretty quickly, and the twists and turns of his current career have showed flash and crash. The first half of his career, Matthews was the best defensive player in the league, and is the only player in NFL history to make the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons. Injuries have derailed the second half of his career though. Matthews is one of the highest paid players in the game, and might be overpaid for a player who is only on the field half the time. When he is on the field, his disappears from the game at times. He isn't going anywhere, but the Packers need to ask him to take a pay cut, and expect more out of him in 2017.

Jared Cook- This one is a no brainer. Cook had had best season ever, and he only played half the season. Think about what he can do in a full season next year. Cook will be re-signed.