The Green Bay Packers Wednesday re-signed Pro Bowl tight end Bubba Franks to a multi-year contract. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the signing.
"We are very pleased to reach an agreement with Bubba Franks, and to know that he will be with the Packers for years to come," Thompson said. "He has been a great player for our team the past five years, and we look forward to an exciting future for Bubba and the Green Bay Packers. He's a leader both on and off the field, in addition to being an excellent representative of this organization."
Franks, a 6-foot-6, 265-pound veteran from Miami (Fla.), could become the first tight end in Packers history named to four Pro Bowls. Paul Coffman (1982-84) and Mark Chmura (1995, 1997-98) are the only other Packers at the position who have played in three.
A durable, consistent offensive threat, Franks has not missed a game in five NFL seasons, playing in 80 straight contests (86 including playoffs). What's more, including an All-America college career with the Hurricanes, he has played in 122 consecutive contests.
Since the Packers made Franks their first-round selection in the 2000 draft (14th overall), only Tony Gonzalez (39) has more touchdown receptions than Franks (28) among league tight ends. And, with 25 TD catches from Brett Favre, only Antonio Freeman (57), Sterling Sharpe (41) and Robert Brooks (32) have caught more from the future Hall of Famer.
Key in the Packers' rushing success over the last two years, Franks also has worked diligently to become one of the NFC's top blocking tight ends.
In five years, Franks has 188 receptions for 1,729 yards and 28 touchdowns. In Packers history, which spans 84 NFL seasons, those 188 catches rank tied for 20th overall, and tied for third among franchise tight ends.
