Former Packers LB Bishop Signs With Cardinals

Former Packers LB Desmond Bishop has signed a one-year deal with the Cardinals, Pro Football Talk reports.

From 2007-2012, as you probably remember, Bishop was a constant contributor to Green Bay's defense, even starting for them in 2010 and 2011.

However, during the 2012 preseason opener Bishop sustained a severe hamstring injury, ending his year and eventually leading to his release the following offseason.

Since then, unfortunately, things haven't really gotten any better for the former Super Bowl Champion, definitely making this piece of news likable, as it gives a deserving veteran another chance to help out a playoff contender.

McCarthy Extension Could Come Soon

After team GM Ted Thompson was signed to a multi-year extention earlier today, another one for Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy could be right around the corner, ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky reports. 

Apparently, Thompson considers getting McCarthy to a new deal before his current one ends after 2015 a "top priority," something not surprising since McCarthy just got a street named after him. 

In other words, it's probably just a matter of time until the man who has been with the team since 2006 gets locked up, although whether or not things will happen this offseason is obviously still unknown.

Packers Would Like to Bring Back Franklin in a Non-Playing Role

The Packers are interested in bringing back former RB Johnathan Franklin in a non-playing role, ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky reports. 

According to Demovsky, Green Bay Coach Mike McCarthy's currently looking to get Franklin a job somewhere in the organization, although what that job could turn out to be is obviously yet to be known.

Franklin, as you probably already know, was cut from the team earlier this offseason after him continuing to compete was deemed unsafe, probably ending his career.

Still, that doesn't mean he can't keep being involved in the sport, something both he and his ex-teammates would likely enjoy.

Cobb Doesn't Think He's Done Enough to Earn New Deal

Packers Wide Receiver Randall Cobb doesn't think he's done enough to deserve a new deal.

In a recent interview with the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Tyler Dunne, Cobb said that exact line, probably surprising many who consider him an elite player.

Still, it's not like this new opinion will change anything in the near future, as #18's clearly too valuable to the team for them to let him walk. 

Remember, Cobb's set to be a free agent for the first time in his career after the upcoming season, something Green Bay likely can't afford screwing up even if Jordy Nelson's under contract. 

Packers Sign Nelson to 4 Year, $39 Million Extention

Packers Wide Receiver Jordy Nelson has signed a four year, $39 million extention with the team, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports. 

Included in the deal, which prevents the veteran from becoming a free agent after 2014 and pays $9.75 million annually, is $14.2 million in guaranteed money and an $11.5 million signing bonus, a pretty big raise from the $4.2 million he's made in recent seasons.

In other words, all of that cash was enough to convince Nelson to stay, something Green Bay has stressed as one of their main priorities over the last few weeks.

Nelson Wants New Deal to Pay $10 million a Year

Packers WR Jordy Nelson is looking for a raise.

According to ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky, Nelson, who will be a free agent after 2014, wants his next contract to pay at least $10 million a year, a pretty big jump from the 4.2 he's currently making.

To some, obviously, #87's sudden announcement is a little surprising, although considering it's coming shortly after the Falcons gave Roddy White a big extention it's really not that strange, as Nelson is simply taking advantage of a situation that seems to be working in his favor. 

Remember, the NFL's a business, and with that guys like Nelson are bound to eventually cash in, even if it is in this kind of extreme fashion.

Finley to Undergo More Medical Tests; Will Send Results to All 32 Teams

Free Agent TE Jermichael Finley will undergo more medical tests tomorrow and send the results to all 32 teams, USA Today's Tom Pelissaro reports. 

According to Pelissaro, Finley is looking to lock up a roster spot before training camp, something that'll probably make additional clubs interested. 

Currently, the longtime Packer is recovering from a severe neck injury he suffered last season, the reason why he might just end up taking a $10 million insurance policy this fall instead. 

Either way, this news is definitely worth our attention, as positive exams here could really help out Finley's financial state in the near future. 

Boykin Wants to Become a Household Name in 2014

Packers WR Jarrett Boykin wants to become a household name in 2014, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Tyler Dunne reports.

Boykin, who burst onto the NFL scene last season after Randall Cobb got hurt, is apparently planning to be more aggressive this year, or, as he put it, "be a dog."

In 2013, Boykin was overall solid for the Pack, something that'd probably be good enough come September, as Cobb will no longer be hurt.

Still, a little improvement on his behalf wouldn't hurt anything, especially since Green Bay's upcoming schedule (which includes matchups with the Patriots, Panthers, Seahawks, and Saints) is pretty hard.

Peppers Excited To Play Alongside Matthews

New Packers Defensive End Julius Peppers is excited to play alongside Clay Matthews when the 2014 season gets underway, the veteran recently revealed to ESPN Wisconsin's Jason Wilde.

In his eyes, Peppers has never played with someone dominant on the other side, making him eager to see what the two of them can do.

Matthews, who missed some time last year with a recurring thumb injury, hasn't done a ton recently, although having Peppers double teamed should help him improve his stats over the next three seasons.

The Packers' first preseason game is currently scheduled for August 7-10 in Tennessee. 

Bleacher Report Names Rodgers Most Likely 2014 MVP Candidate

The popular sports website Bleacher Report has named Packers QB Aaron Rodgers their most likely 2014 MVP candidate. 

Rodgers, who started just 9 games for the Pack last regular season (only playing for the majority of 8), won the award back in 2011, when he and the team went 15-1.

In last year's Week 17, Rodgers returned to the field for the first time in 7 contests, leading Green Bay to a 33-28 win over the Bears.

Overall, the Packers have gone 61-34 in the six seasons #12 has led them, winning the NFC North in 2013 despite going just 8-7-1.

ESPN Ranks Packers' Roster NFL's 8th Best

In a surprising recent insider piece, ESPN has ranked the Packers' Roster the NFL's 8th Best, the site's Rob Demovsky reports.

Coming ahead of Green Bay on the offseason list, in order from 1-7, are the Seahawks, 49ers, Broncos, Saints, Eagles, Patriots, and Bengals, all playoff teams from last year.

While they undoubtedly have a great offense, this news can't be too surprising for us fans, as the Pack's defense has struggled in recent seasons.

Still, the Bengals coming in seventh is a little weird, especially since their current starting QB has never gotten them past the Wild Card Round.

Finley Receives Medical Clearance From Personal Doctor

Free Agent TE Jermichael Finley, coming off a meeting with the Packers yesterday, has received medical clearance from his personal doctor in an unrelated event, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reports. 

Dr. James Maroon, who performed surgery on Finley's spine earlier this offseason, is the one who gave #88 the ok, according to his agent.

Still, this doesn't mean much to what will happen to Finley in the future, as team doctors are the ones who ultimately make the call.

Finley, who will have another meeting with an unknown team tomorrow, has yet to be cleared by anyone this offseason, so in the end, this is a step in the right direction for him, regardless of what it actually becomes.

Finley to get an MRI next week

Injured Free Agent Tight End Jermichael Finley will get an MRI on his neck next week, ESPN's Josina Anderson reports. The results of the procedure, which will be done by Dr. Joseph Maroon of the Pittsburgh Steelers, will be given to interested teams, the Packers included. 

So yea, I guess we have another thing to wait for here. Finley's been hurt all offseason, but if he's showing enough progress to be given another test then I guess something good must be happening with him. Who knows? Maybe he's almost completely healed. It's unlikely, but it could still happen, couldn't it?

Allen: "Just watch me play this year"

During his introductory news conference yesterday, recently-signed Bears DE Jared Allen expressed a lot of confidence going into the upcoming season.

"Just watch me play this year," Allen said. "I'm a full year off surgery on my shoulder. I want to believe in what I'm playing for and who I'm playing for, and that's why I'm here. I believe in the product they're putting on the field."

While I'm curious to see how this guy will do this fall, I'm still not convinced he'll make the Bears a legitimate threat in the NFC North. I mean, when your offense is terrible your defensive skills are pretty irrelevant, right?