Packers and Finley agree to two-year, $15-million deal

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The Green Bay Packers have resolved one of their biggest issues in free agency by agreeing to a new two-year contract with tight end Jermichael Finley. Media reports said the deal is worth about $15 million.

Talks might have gotten contentious had the Packers named him as their franchise player with a one-year deal worth $5-plus million. Finley was apparently ready to argue that he should be franchised as a wide receiver, with a mandatory salary of $9-plus million. The new deal basically splits the difference.

If Finley gets big numbers the next two years, he can negotiate a bigger receiver's contract just as a new TV network deal brings in more revenue for the teams.

Finley, a four-year veteran, announced the deal on Twitter. He said, "It's true! Thank you so much to the Packers' organization, all of my fans, and my beautiful wife. Happy Bday. Let's go Packers! Back soon..."

The Green Bay Packers and tight end Jermichael Finley have agreed on a two-year deal. Finley confirmed it on Twitter Wednesday night, saying: "It's TRUE! Thank you so much to the Packers organization, all of my fans, and my beautiful wife. Happy Bday. Let's GO Packers!! Back soon..."

Finley will make $5.75 million in 2012 and $8.25 million in 2013, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The paper also reported that the Packers would have paid Finley $5.4 million per year if they had franchised him as a tight end. If they put the tag on Finley as a wide receiver, he would have made $9 million.

The Texas product caught 55 passes for 767 yards and eight touchdowns in 16 games last season.

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