Jermichael Finley Will Return to Green Bay Packers Next Season

Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley hasn’t quite met expectations since he was drafted in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft, but it appears general manager Ted Thompson isn’t ready to part ways just yet.

With a $3 million roster bonus due March 25, there was speculation that the Packers might attempt to move their starting tight end to avoid the substantial payment.

According to Finley’s personal Twitter account, that doesn’t appear to be the case:

Finley’s current contract doesn’t expire until after the 2013 season, during which he is scheduled to make $8.25 million (per ESPN’s Adam Schefter):

The 25-year-old (who turns 26 on March 26) University of Texas product has caught 116 passes for 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns in the last two seasons, though his 2012 season stats (667 yards and two touchdowns) aren’t what the Packers want to see going forward.  

At 6’5” and 247 pounds, Finley has shown impressive physical ability, but inconsistency has plagued him as well as his propensity for dropping passes. Injuries have also played a role in his failure to meet expectations, as he has missed 16 games during his five-year tenure with Green Bay.

When healthy, Finley offers All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers a big target who can stretch the field and open up the passing game for receivers Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Randall Cobb.

With his contract now secure for 2013, he’ll again have an opportunity to prove he can be the game-changer Green Bay hopes he can be.