Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley told ESPN’s Josina Anderson on Wednesday that he is unwilling to take a pay cut to stay with the team next season.
“I’m not that guy,” Finley told Anderson. “Other than that, taking a pay cut or restructuring doesn’t sound good to me at this time. I like my deal.”
Finley, who signed a two-year deal with the Packers during the offseason after there was speculation that he was going to be cut by the team, is due to receive a $3 million roster bonus on March 27.
Finley said that the Packers have not attempted to contact him about restructuring his contract, but if the team decides to part ways with him — through trade or release — they will save $8.25 million.
“The Packers are barely talking to me right now,” he told ESPN. “I know they’re just doing it the Packer way and playing it close to the vest.”
Despite the lack of contact by the Packers, Finley let it be known that if the team wishes to restructure his contract, he’d rather be released.
“I’d have to walk for sure, meaning I couldn’t take a pay cut,” Finley said. “Maybe I’d restructure, if it’s a deal that I like and it makes sense, but I’m not the guy that’s just going to sign anything and let anything pass.”
Finley expressed his pleasure with his current contract with the Packers and is hopeful about what next season holds for him.
“I start training in Minneapolis [on Thursday] and I’m more inspired than ever to start next season off right and be the tight end I know I can be,” Finley said. “It’s all business at the end of the day. I just love what I do.”
The 25-year-old Finley is coming off one of his worst seasons as a Packer since he was drafted in 2008. Last season, he caught 61 passes for 667 yards and two touchdowns. In 2011, Finley had 55 receptions for 767 yards and eight touchdowns, which was his best season as a Packer.
