As General Manager Brian Gutekunst keeps an eye on improving the defense with an edge rusher or safety via trade, free agent signing, or through the draft, he quietly tendered one of the teams popular players yesterday.

According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, the Packers have tendered exclusive rights free agent wide receiver Jake Kumerow. The one-year tender agreement is worth $570,000 in 2019.

Kumerow was a breakout star and fan favorite during the pre-season last year. He got injured and was placed on injured reserve before the season started. He would return and play in 5 games. During those 5 games, caught eight passes for 103 yards and one touchdown.

Kumerow played college football at UW-Whitewater, where he was a three-year starter. He is the Warhawks all-time leader in touchdowns with 36, second in program history with 2,648 receiving yards, and third in receptions with 158. He was an integral part in helping UW-Whitewater claim back-to-back conference and Division 3 national championships.

He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2015. The Packers signed him to the practice squad on December 26, 2017. He is the cousin to Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa and former Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa.

Jake Kumerow has a good chance at making Matt Lafleur’s first 53 man roster as Packers head coach.

Free agency hasn’t officially started, as it’s just the legal tampering period, so we can be sure that Brian Gutekunst is going to be in on plenty of discussions the next couple of days and weeks. It has been rumored that the Packers have been connected to several high profile players, it’s just a matter of time before Gutekunst finds the right deal and makes his move.

Anthony Haag is a writer for PackersTalk.com. He has been a Packers fan since the day he was born and truly bleeds green and gold. He makes annual visits to Lambeau Field and has attended his fair share of games. You can follow Anthony on Twitter at @anthony_haag