Green Bay Packers tight end Jimmy Graham did not have the best time in Green Bay. He didn’t make the impact that many thought he would make when Brian Gutekunst signed him before the 2018 season. Part of that was due to Mike McCarthy not knowing how to use tight ends in his system. The other part was Graham being a bit past his prime. Most athletes give a ‘thank you’ social media post to end the season. Graham’s post read like a retirement notice from the game of football.

This becomes harder every time you see others raise that trophy! I’m blessed and proud of these guys for battling to prove a lot of people wrong. Thank you for sticking by me for 10 years. I have given everything I have in pursuit of a ring. I am in your debt for believing in me. pic.twitter.com/0RxEt1czQL

— Jimmy Graham (@TheJimmyGraham) January 21, 2020

Graham had a great career if this is the end. Along with Antonio Gates, he had the basketball genes that made him an unstoppable force in his early NFL days. The former New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks’ tight end had some incredible years before him playing with the Packers. In 2011 and 2013, he went over 1,000 yards in receiving and in five different years, he had nine or more touchdowns.

If this is true, Graham makes Green Bay’s decision on him much easier. Graham would be leaving eight million dollars on the table for next season, but he might be assuming that his time in Green Bay is done. Packers do have an out in his contract in 2020 where they only amass 3.6 million in dead cap. If Graham retires, Green Bay does not have to deal with that cap number and would add eight million dollars to the salary cap.

Good on Jimmy, hope you get to fly all the planes you want.

Charlie.