With NFL training camp less than a month away, many remaining free agents will find new homes before the leadup to the 2022 season really kicks into gear. Offensive tackle Eric Fisher is one of those players, and he could make a lot of sense in Green Bay.
Green Bay would have their offensive line set in stone in an ideal world. It would be anchored by Pro Bowlers David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins, with Yosh Nijman as a capable swing tackle. They would fill the rest of the gaps with a slew of young players that general manager Brian Gutekunst brought into the organization over three drafts. That list would include Josh Myers at center, Jon Runyan Jr. locking down a guard slot, and Royce Newman in the mix at the other guard. Plus, they would have 2022 draftees Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom ready to compete for snaps as soon as possible.
Of course, questions remain, most notably surrounding Bakhtiari’s health and availability as the season nears. Luckily for Gutekunst, Fisher could help answer some of those questions.
Fisher spent 2021 with the Indianapolis Colts after an eight-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs, helping bring a Super Bowl title to the team that selected him first-overall in 2021. His draft pedigree is noteworthy because it’s indicative of his talent and correlates to his financial compensation over nine years in the league. He earned a $14.5 million signing bonus immediately and has tallied just shy of $80 million in career earnings, according to Spotrac.
For comparison, Bakhtiari has earned just over $90 million in that same timeline, and that’s after signing a $92 million extension back in 2020. Sure, there’s still a $10 million gap between the two, but $80 million in career earnings is nothing to scoff at. It may mean Fisher wouldn’t simply be looking to sign on with the highest bidder. He may be looking for a good fit, a chance to play, the potential to win, or other factors beyond just cash.
Outside of money, one reason a signing like this could work is that Gutekunst has done it before. He brought in Dennis Kelly for the 2021 season. And while it was late in the game in 2020, Jared Veldheer had a brief but important stretch with the Packers. Bringing in a competent veteran in his early 30s could be an attractive proposition for the front office. Fisher has primarily been a left tackle, which provides Bakhtiari insurance, but he has also dabbled on the right side throughout his career, which would give Green Bay some options.
Situationally, the Packers would be a great landing spot for Fisher. Green Bay figures to be among the Super Bowl contenders, and a chance to play with Aaron Rodgers is much more enticing than a struggling team with uncertainty at quarterback. Offensive linemen also love to get out and run block. With the combination of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon, the Packers will be plenty focused on the run game. Coming into the league, Fisher rose up the draft boards due to his size, speed, and athleticism. If he has any gas left in the tank, he would fit right in with Green Bay’s offensive schemes.
The Packers promoted Adam Stenavich to offensive coordinator over Luke Getsy this offseason, primarily due to his work creating a quality offensive line from patchwork parts. Fisher was competent but not stellar in 2021. PFF gave him a 68.2 grade, which ranked 46th out of 83 qualifying offensive tackles — firmly in the middle of the pack. Still, there were times last season where league-average tackle play would have been a godsend for Green Bay. If Stenavich can continue to work his magic, he should be able to get the most out of what Fisher has left.
Fisher isn’t broke, has an exceptional pedigree, and he’s not desperate for his first Super Bowl ring. He can look across the slate of the league and find a situation that he likes best. If the money works out, Gutekunst would be wise to bring him in for a chance to compete, be a quality safety net, and, at worst, provide depth should something on the offensive line go awry.
