Green Bay Packers: Donald Driver Needs to Be Brought Back

Donald Driver is one of the cornerstones of the Green Bay Packers and the team must figure out a way to bring him back in 2012.

The 37-year-old wideout is due a $1.5 million roster bonus the first day of training camp, and when you combine that with a $2.6 million base salary, it may be too expensive for the team to pay a guy whose production has fallen off with age. Driver is currently a cast member on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" and general manager Ted Thompson has been evasive when asked whether or not he'll be back with the team next season.

But ESPN Milwaukee's Jason Wilde predicted that Driver would be back. Driver has never played for another franchise and the 13-year veteran is willing to take a pay cut to return to Green Bay. This is one of those situations where a guy's value to the team goes far beyond the numbers he puts up on the field.

In 2011 Driver played in all 16 regular season games and had 37 receptions for 445 yards and six touchdowns. Obviously his value has diminished as Aaron Rodgers has developed and become one of the NFL's best quarterbacks in terms of spreading the ball around. Last season the Packers had a whopping seven players finish with 25 or more receptions. 

Driver had six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2004-2009 and established himself as one of the NFL's most reliable wideouts. But he's also a great guy who provides veteran leadership for Green Bay's receiving corps.

The development of guys like Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, and Randall Cobb is as much about Driver's influence and teaching as any other factor. 

Obviously Driver isn't what he used to be on the field. Age has robbed him of speed and some explosiveness, but he still has the same mind for the game and is a beloved figure in Green Bay. It would be sad if he was forced to wear another uniform, especially because he is willing to take less money to remain a Packer.

Thompson needs to figure out a way to keep Driver on the roster until the receiver retires. 

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