Packers to Part Ways with John Kuhn

The Packers could be set to cut ties with one of Green Bay’s favorite sons, following news that the team is expected not to re-sign fan favorite fullback John Kuhn. The 33-year-old stalwart has competed in four Pro Bowls and two Super Bowls during his extensive and productive career, and could see it come to an end in another team’s colors.

The writing was on the wall for Kuhn once the Pack drafted fullback Aaron Ripkowski in the sixth round of last year’s draft. At 6’1” and 257 pounds, Ripkowski is “Kuhn lite” in name only. Most teams in the modern NFL need convincing to keep one H-back on the roster, let alone two. The solid progression of Ripkowski in his rookie season – he played fifteen games for Green Bay, almost exclusively as a blocker on running downs – should force Kuhn out of the equation.

Kuhn signed a one-year, $870 000 deal in April 2015, and has been listed as a free agent since the official start of the 2016 league year on March 9. By all accounts, Kuhn is not yet ready to retire, telling Wisconsin sports radio he “still feels healthy” and “enjoys playing football with all his heart.” He expressed a preference for “still doing it in Green Bay,” but that no longer looks like an option.

“This isn’t a career that you can shut down at 33 and then decide at 35, ‘Oh, I’ve made a mistake. I want to come back,’” Kuhn added. Yet, the Packers can’t be blamed for wanting to fill his position with a talent that is ten years younger and just as capable.

But what won’t be quite so easily replaced will be Kuhn’s football intelligence, reliability in short yardage, catching ability out of the backfield, and of course, his trademark chant that echoes from the highest bleachers of Lambeau Field.