Cole

Madison

The release comes with a failed physical designation. Madison redshirted as a rookie and didn’t appear in any games last year before tearing his ACL in November. The Packers also released FB Jordan Jones.

The Packers’ 2018 fifth-round draft pick hasn’t played a regular season snap to this point.

A fifth-round pick last year, Madison sat out all of his rookie season because of a personal issue, and there were reports he would never play football again. He reported to the team at the start of offseason workouts earlier this month, however, and it appears as if he will continue his career. Madison will likely battle for a backup job in camp.

Previously expected to sit out of football altogether for personal matters, Madison was surprisingly reinstated to Green Bay’s active roster Monday as the team reported to their offseason program. Madison was selected No. 138 overall last year and should slide right back in as interior line competition in camp.

“I don’t think he’s coming back,” the source said. “At least he’s not showing signs of it right now.” A fifth-round pick last year, Madison sat out his entire rookie season because of what the Packers have called a personal matter. According to Cohen’s source, that matter is the death of Washington State teammate Tyler Hilinski, who took his own life in January of 2018. It was later discovered Hilinski had been dealing with CTE.

Madison did not report to camp because of a personal matter. “He’s dealing with an issue,” Gutekunst continued, “and when that issue is resolved we’ll get back to the football part of it.” Gutekunst does expect Madison to play football again, but he is not sure if he will return this season.

Madison (6’5/308) made 47 starts at right tackle on the Cougars’ offensive line, earning second-team All-Pac 12 as a senior and ranking fifth among Pac 12 offensive tackles in PFF College’s pass-blocking efficiency rating (97.7). Just a 14th-percentile SPARQ athlete, Madison was a quality college starter who will likely struggle in the pros. He would do well to carve out a Sam Young-like swing tackle career.

GM Brian Gutekunst confirmed the rookie is dealing with a personal matter and said there is no timeline for his return. “We’re more concerned about Cole,” Gutekunst said. “There’s really no update right now.” Madison played his college ball at Washington State.

Madison has tackle size at 6-foot-5, 308 pounds, but he has relatively short arms (32 1/4-inches) and limited athleticism. His best chance at success likely lies inside, and he may top out as a swing reserve.