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Morning Buzz: Free agency kicking off

Aaron Nagler

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers and the NFL from around the web and here at PackersNews.com. Grab a strong cup of coffee and get caught up on everything you need to know about the Packers before free agency kicks off at 3 p.m. CST.

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Nick Perry (53) is blocked by Houston Texans tackle Duane Brown (76) during the third quarter Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016 at Lambeau Field.

Tom Silverstein starts us off with the news that Nick Perry is almost back in the fold:

https://twitter.com/TomSilverstein/status/839831074523971586

From Tom:

The Green Bay Packers are nearing an agreement to retain outside linebacker Nick Perry, and barring any unforeseen circumstances should sign him to a new deal before the start of free agency, a source said Thursday morning.
Terms of the deal weren’t available, but Perry is expected to receive at least $10 million per year after receiving considerable interest from three other teams. Among those who were interested were the Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets.

Perry was considered the best edge rusher in free agency, but what hasn’t gotten a lot of notice is his stellar play against the run:

https://twitter.com/PFF_NateJahnke/status/839835863156736001

Be sure to check back with our Packers free-agency tracker throughout the day for all the latest.

Bob McGinn takes a look at how scouts from around the league are assessing the Packers' free-agent class.

From McGinn on Jared Cook:

TE JARED COOK: “I see him as a good No. 2 or a subpar No. 1. Lot of similarities to Julius Thomas. I think he’d get $4.5 to $5.5 (million per year in average compensation). The problem he’s going to run into is the tight-end draft class is awesome so it’s hard to get motivated for a (veteran). He lost a lot of leverage. If I were a GM I’d squeeze him. He should get some payment for services rendered (last year). He overproduced that deal.” … “Oh, yeah, he’ll have a market. He made a lot of plays this year when he was healthy. He’ll go up to between $5 and $6 (million). He and Martellus Bennett are about the best tight ends.” … “Early on in his career he was a guy who ran well and caught the ball. He fits a tight-end-by-committee system because he fits a role. He just has to be more consistent catching the ball.”

I had NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling on my podcast to talk about Ted Thompson and free agency:

https://soundcloud.com/packersnewsdotcom/naglers-never-right-episode27-with-special-guest-chris-wesseling

Aaron Rodgers was on Wisconsin radio Wednesday giving a wide-ranging interview:

https://twitter.com/PGPackersNews/status/839651985955631104

The Titletown District’s footprint keeps growing:

https://twitter.com/RichRymanPG/status/839842719895805952

Elsewhere, it sounds like Jared Cook’s market is heating up:

https://twitter.com/nfltrade_rumors/status/839842533505175552

Micah Hyde appears to be in the same boat:

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/839651510782988288

The Packers brought back their punter:

https://twitter.com/RobDemovsky/status/839508404322324482