Packers profits fell without playoffs

The Green Bay Packers’ profit fell by nearly 50 percent in the past fiscal year as the team missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

President and CEO Mark Murphy said the outlook for the Packers remains strong as the NFL’s only publicly owned team released its 2018 financial statement Monday.

The Packers announced a profit from operations of $34.1 million, a steep decline from $65.4 million a year earlier. Expenses soared 11.9 percent, from $376.1 million to $420.9 million, a byproduct of player salaries, coaching changes and travel costs. Revenue increased just 3.1 percent from $441.4 million to $454.9 million.

“The NFL continues to be very popular nationally,” Murphy said. “There’s been a lot talked about with ratings that have gone down, but, really, relative to ratings overall, the league remains very strong. The fan interest and support remain strong for both the league and us.”

“This is the first year since 2008 that we were not in the playoffs, and I think that had an impact on us,” Murphy said.

Rams

Safety Lamarcus Joyner did not come to terms on a contract extension, so the fifth-year pro will play the 2018 season for about $11.3 million under the franchise tag. Joyner, a second-round draft pick in 2014, earned $1.6 million in 2017 in the final year of his rookie contract. After moving from slot cornerback to safety, he had a breakout season, intercepting three passes and returning one for a touchdown.

Jets

New York waived 2015 second-round draft pick Devin Smith and signed safety Brandon Bryant. Smith, a wide receiver from Ohio State, couldn’t stay healthy or provide anything on the field for the team. He played in 14 games with only 10 receptions. Twice, Smith suffered knee injuries.

Elsewhere

Boomer Esiason will not return as an analyst for Westwood One radio’s national “Monday Night Football” package, ending an 18-year run. Esiason said he had been leaning toward that decision late in the 2017 season and made it final when the 2018 schedule came out and included many Central, Mountain and Pacific Time Zone games. “I’m going to miss it, but in all reality I kind of have to get part of my life back,” Esiason said. Kurt Warner, a frequent fill-in for Esiason on radio, is presumed to be the leading candidateto replace him.