2012 Free Agency: Letting Scott Wells Walk Is the Right Move

According to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Scott Wells is on the verge of leaving the Green Bay Packers during free agency.  

Many are questioning the rationale behind Ted Thompson's apparent decision not to offer Wells the extension he is seeking.  Lost in all of the uproar is that Thompson is making the right move.  

Scott Wells does not deserve to be paid what he believes he is worth.

Wells is coming off of his best season as a pro, that much is certain.  He's a hard worker and is technically sound.  He made the Pro Bowl and started all 16 regular season games as well as the playoff loss to the New York Giants. Clearly, these are positives heading into free agency.  

However, let's look at the negatives.  Wells is 31 years old, and he's played eight seasons in the NFL. He's also undersized at 6'2" and 300 lbs and lacks ideal arm length.  He's never made an All-Pro team, and has only made one Pro Bowl.  

Where is the resume for being a top-five center in the league?  You're right, it's not there.  You simply don't pay undersized 31-year-old centers with only one Pro Bowl appearance on their resume top-five money.  Winning franchises don't make those mistakes.  

Honestly, where is the incentive to re-sign him at all?  There will be plenty of free-agent centers on the market and the draft is also an option. 

Additionally, the Packers are going to need the cap space for the numerous extensions that will be coming up—Greg Jennings will be a free agent shortly and Thompson will want to get Aaron Rodgers locked up for the rest of his career.  

Let Wells walk and find a cost-effective replacement in the NFL draft or in free agency. The team will be better off.