Packers waiving TE Jace Sternberger
The former third round pick could not stay on the field.
By PackerAaron
Per Tom Pelissero:
The #Packers are waiving TE Jace Sternberger, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 21, 2021
Sternberger had been serving a two game suspension to start the season under the league's substance abuse policy and the Packers would have needed to cut someone to make room for him on the 53 man roster.
Instead, general manager Brian Gutekunst has decided to part ways with the former third round pick, though there is a possibility the Packers could bring Sternberger back on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
The 2019 draft pick out of Texas A&M played in only six games his rookie season, which he began on the physically unable to perform list. He caught his first touchdown in the NFC championship game at San Francisco in what was essentially garbage time.
Sternberger caught just 12 passes for 114 yards and one touchdown in 12 games during a disappointing second season which ended in late November because of a concussion. Sternberger cleared protocol before the postseason but remained a healthy scratch as the Packers turned to Dominique Dafney, who's play both last year and early on this season most likely made the decision to move on from Sternberger an easier one.
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Comments (25)
Lphill
September 21, 2021 at 01:07 pm
Shame ,I think he had some bad luck I wish him well !
stockholder
September 21, 2021 at 01:08 pm
This is a mistake.
barutanseijin
September 21, 2021 at 10:04 pm
Drafting him was a mistake, yes. Keeping him around was another.
packer132
September 21, 2021 at 10:32 pm
Jace had some bad luck but mostly it's still on him. He got the 2 game suspension which was not bright.He never came into camp in great shape and did not add muscle mass. His position coach said he is not consistent, and needs to be better. He struggled with the playbook, and was a very poor blocker. Tonyan was an UDFA who made it on the practice squad and worked and worked. He is a solid TE who catches everything thrown his way and should have another good year. With 4 solid tight ends, this was an easy cut.
Leatherhead
September 21, 2021 at 01:21 pm
Interesting. I thought Deguara getting injured cleared the way for Sternberger to make the team . The current TE room has some good players in it….too many for Sternberger, apparently.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 21, 2021 at 01:32 pm
This aspiring member of the cognoscenti kind of thinks releasing Sternberger is a mistake. However, based on Outen's quote, I think this decision is based on the staff's personal evaluation of Sternberger rather than what we fans can see.
[Outen: “That one play doesn’t really describe the player,” Outten said. “It’s more consistently what you’re putting in day in and day out. With his consistency, it’s kind of been sporadic. Whether it’s still getting used to the playbook or feeling around the line of scrimmage, he’s still having some up-and-down days."]
Coldworld
September 21, 2021 at 05:56 pm
Which equates to what we saw on the field. Perhaps they will offer him a OS squad place if he clears, but they may just have moved on. You have to want it Jace. Tonyan did and showed you the way but you never seemed to follow it.
packer132
September 21, 2021 at 06:27 pm
Yes, Jace had chances but didn't grab them. He also had some bad luck as noted above. LaFleur said he wanted to thank Jace for his contributions, so he won't be back on the practice squad. Maybe some team will give him a chance, but I feel he is done. Tonyan, as you stated wanted it, and came up from the practice squad.(undrafted)
jurp
September 22, 2021 at 09:09 am
I think you were replying to an inane post from Stockholder which has somehow disappeared...
Has he been banned, do you know?
BAMABADGER
September 21, 2021 at 01:43 pm
I had high hopes, but when he returned after his rookie season with no more muscle mass, I knew he did not want to be a Professional in the NFL. He ran poor routes and couldn't block. A change of scenery and attitude may help him... Good luck Jack Steinmart.
splitpea1
September 21, 2021 at 03:04 pm
No surprise; his position coach didn't sound thrilled with him, he missed blocks in preseason, and apparently had difficulty remembering plays. Drafting and/or signing a TE next year and/or keeping Tonyan becomes more of a priority.
Guam
September 21, 2021 at 04:39 pm
Couldn't have said it better splitpea1. When your position coach is not in your corner, you are in serious trouble. That comment from Outen was the final straw in a very disappointing tenure for Sternberger.
TarynsEyes
September 21, 2021 at 03:16 pm
Can't miss what you never had, and the hope for Sternberger wasn't/isn't enough to think you'll be missing much of anything.
CheesyTex
September 21, 2021 at 04:12 pm
Cannot help but think things would have been different for Jace if he could have avoided the cheap shot concussion as a rookie.
HarryHodag
September 21, 2021 at 04:53 pm
I remember the hype when JS came out of college and what a 'steal' the Packers got when they drafted him. A good lesson to all the draft nerds that the draft is merely a suggestion, not a fact, in terms of players having the ability to play in the NFL.
#1 picks, as an example, can work out or they can bomb, same as in any round. If you look at the four Packers tight ends, two are 'street' free agents, undrafted out of college, including Tonyan who could be an All-Pro.
The second biggest farce in the NFL each off season is the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis. It shows a bunch of guys running around in their underwear and not much else. The tape from actual COLLEGE games gives a partial indicator of ability, but seeing how fast a lineman is in the 40 is nearly worthless.
Todd
September 21, 2021 at 11:06 pm
Good post Harry. Contrary to what many people are saying now, there was a lot of hype about JS and the majority of people thought it was a very good pick. The NFL draft is the ultimate crap shoot.
NickPerry
September 22, 2021 at 05:44 am
I was one of those who thought he was a good pick. The fact he only had ONE productive year in college scared me a bit, but I still felt it was a good pick.
The draft IS a crap shoot.
Todd
September 22, 2021 at 07:49 am
Same sentiments, Nick. He was raw and battled some injuries at A&M, but he was very productive in his one year there.
HankScorpio
September 21, 2021 at 04:57 pm
2019 NFL draft...
74 . Devin Singleterry
75. Jace Sternberger
76. Terry McLaurin
Packers0808
September 21, 2021 at 06:39 pm
I knew this was coming and being saying it here many times, Sternberger just never had it. Runs like RRodgers in a bucket of cement.
ImaPayne
September 21, 2021 at 07:09 pm
Was surprised when the pack picked him. He had some severe concussions at Wisc and I think most teams passed due to that but again the Pack got him cheap and expected a lot and got little.
Should have been cut last year, very non productive time in GB. Good Riddance. He was given every op and failed end of story
Todd
September 21, 2021 at 11:08 pm
Agree with some of your post. Am curious about “He had some severe concussions at Wisc” and “the Pack got him cheap”? He played at Kansas, a Juco, and Texas A&M; and he was a third round pick.
Dzehren
September 21, 2021 at 09:37 pm
Bobby!! Good luck Jace.
Ferrari-Driver
September 22, 2021 at 12:14 am
Many years ago, I volunteered some of my spare time working on a crisis hotline.
Depression and emotional problems can be devastating to an individual and without some help, the person can do some irrational things, including harm to themself.
First and foremost, I hope Jace gets help to deal with the depression and get his life on track. I wish him the best and hope everything works out well for this young man.
stockholder
September 23, 2021 at 09:35 am
Jace Sternberger to Seatle PS.