The Green Bay Packers season has been a disappointing one so far. They currently sit at 4-5-1, which is unfamiliar territory for them.
Success and winning are two words that have been associated with the Packers' organization for plenty of years. This year is different, as there is a divide between the fans and the level of play from the team.
Mike McCarthy is smack dab in the middle of all of it. He brought the people of Green Bay a Super Bowl in 2011, but is seemingly fighting to keep his job to end this year.
Of course, you have Aaron Rodgers running the show on offense, but the offense still seems like it is underachieving. The blame has fallen on McCarthy and his inability to adjust to today's style of play.
There are teams like the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs running spread offenses, with plenty of ways to attack you. The Packers rely heavily on Rodgers to create plays out of nothing and hope that works.
It hasn't this season, which is why the fans in Green Bay are becoming uneasy with the whole organization. If the Packers miss the playoffs, the whole coaching staff could be in for a change.
With weapons like Aaron Jones, Davante Adams, and Jimmy Graham, it's hard to fathom not using them in a multitude of ways. A core of these guys, along with Rodgers, is plenty to build around going forward.
They also have other young wide receivers in Geronimo Allison and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who are threats in the making. This offseason could be full of changes if the Packers continue to lose games.
For the Packers, most fans are eager to see what will happen going forward. Free agency has never really been a source of finding players for the Packers. Most of their roster comes strictly from the draft.
They did show a sense of being open to free agency, by signing Graham last year in free agency. Talent is not lacking when it comes to the free agency class of 2019.
One of the names being rumored around many teams is Le'Veon Bell. All 32 teams could use a guy like Bell, but all of the details that come with signing him make him a target for only a few teams.
Should the Packers target signing Bell once free agency hits? The answer is an absolute no. Here is why.
First off, the Packers have their franchise running back in Aaron Jones on their roster. Jones has shown signs of having the potential to be an elite back.
Even though he should have been starting all season, he recently was handed the starting role. A lot of people have placed the blame on why he wasn't starting on McCarthy.
That doesn't help McCarthy's case to keep his job next season.
So far this year, Jones has rushed for 534 yards on 84 carries, giving him an impressive 6.4 yards per carry, and five touchdowns. It makes you wonder why he sat behind guys like Ty Montgomery, who was traded, and Jamaal Williams to begin the year.
In a backfield that should be headed by Jones going forward, Bell would complicate things. If the Packers couldn't figure out how to use Jones correctly, how would they know how to deal with Bell?
Secondly, the price tag that will come along with Bell is too pricey. Before the season began, Bell was reportedly offered a five-year, $70 million deal.
Bell would turn that deal down, with the Pittsburgh Steelers placing the franchise-tag on him once more. He was reluctant to sign the tag, with him sitting out this whole season.
Most believe that he felt disrespected by the offer due to the lack of guaranteed money in the contract. It was reported that the deal included $33 million in guarantees, but would be paid out in the first two seasons.
A guy like Bell is likely searching for a deal in the area-code of Todd Gurley's contract. That price range makes a move for Bell very tricky for the Packers.
Going into next offseason, the Packers will hold around $42 million in cap space. They have guys like Clay Matthews, Muhammad Wilkerson, Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison, Jake Ryan, and Kentrell Brice becoming free agents.
The Packers will likely let a couple of them walk, but could be looking to re-sign most of them. It will be an interesting offseason for the Packers, to say the least.
Do they have the money to sign Bell? Yes. But when you are paying Rodgers, and deservedly so, $134 million over the next four years, you have to be careful spending big money elsewhere.
It would be in the Packers' best interests to not go after Bell. Why would they hinder Jones' potential by signing Bell. It would make no sense for Bell or the Packers in general.
He could help any offense, but for a team like the Packers, it could handcuff their ability to get stronger in other spots. The defense should be where the Packers are looking to bulk up.
So for anyone that believes that the Packers should target Bell, the simple answer? No.
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