Jermichael Finley Won’t Take a Pay Cut to Remain with Packers
By Josh Hill
Jermichael Finely has had more than one documented issue with the Green Bay Packers over the years, so it should come as absolutely no surprise that he’s not willing to take a pay cut to remain with the team moving forward. Finley told ESPN that he hasn’t heard anything from the Packers regarding how his salary for next season but he did say that if they ask him to take a pay cut, he’s going to politely tell them where to stick it.
“I’d have to walk for sure, meaning I couldn’t take a pay cut. Maybe I’d restructure if it’s a deal that I like and it makes sense, but I’m not the guy that’s just going to sign anything and let anything pass,” Finley said. “I’m not that guy. Other than that, taking a pay cut or restructuring doesn’t sound good to me at this time. I like my deal. I start training in Minneapolis tomorrow and I’m more inspired than ever to start next season off right and be the tight end I know I can be. It’s all business at the end of the day. I just love what I do.”
Finley may not want to take a pay cut but the market may dictate otherwise. He’s owed up to $8.75 million next season after his $3.5 million roster bonus kicks in and no one is going to pay him that, especially not the Packers. Basically Finley’s options are take a pay cut to stay with the Packers or take a pay cut to play somewhere else. The market for tight ends isn’t particularly great this offseason and the market in general is even worse when it comes to teams being willing to splurge on a single player.
He’s not a bad tight end, but injuries and his questionable attitude are not good selling points when it comes to Finley holding out for all the money he thinks he’s worth. He very well could receive $8.75 million, it just won’t be for a single season of work and it definitely won’t in Green Bay.