Analysis
2/19/22
4 min read
Green Bay Packers Free Agency Outlook
Despite being the one seed in the NFC for the second year in a row, the Green Bay Packers came up short in their pursuit of a Super Bowl. With rumors surrounding whether or not MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers will stay a Packer during the 2022 season, Green Bay will have a lot of tough decisions to make this offseason. The Packers sit about $50.8 million over the salary cap and are unable to get over the cap this year with just simple restructures, so they will have to make many difficult decisions as they try to navigate these murky waters. This offseason will go a long way in determining whether the Packers can overcome their recent playoff struggles.Â
Update: The Packers are now $45,844,202 over the cap.
Green Bay’s Impending Free Agents:
- LG Lucas Patrick
- RT Billy Turner
- EDGE Za'Darius Smith
- RT Dennis Kelly
- IDL Tyler Lancaster
- EDGE Whitney MercilusÂ
- P Corey Bojorquez
- CB Rasul Douglas
- LB Oren Burks
- WR Equanimeous St. Brown
- WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- CB Kevin King (Void)
- TE Robert Tonyan (Void)
- CB Chandon Sullivan (Void)
- CB Isaac Yiadom (SFA)
- WR David Moore (SFA)
- WR Allen Lazard (RFA)
- LT Yosuah Nijman (ERFA)
- EDGE Randy Ramsey (ERFA)
- WR Malik Taylor (ERFA)
- TE Dominique Dafney (ERFA)
- LB Krys Barnes (ERFA)
- S Henry Black (ERFA)
- C Jake Hanson (ERFA)
- EDGE Chauncey Rivers (ERFA)
This is an extensive list of free agents and can grow even bigger if Rodgers stays in Green Bay since the Packers will have to cut a number of key players in order to get back under the cap. The biggest priority for Green Bay will be to retain star wideout Davante Adams, a vital piece of the Packers offense and Rodgers’ long-time favorite target. It will not be cheap, but Adams is well worth the price. While cornerback Rasul Douglas and linebacker De’Vondre Campbell both had excellent seasons in Green Bay, it will be tough to extend these players at their expected price tag. Still, the Packers can attempt to re-sign one or both of them since they were just that impactful for the Packers this past season. Two players to also watch out for are Lucas Patrick and Dennis Kelly, who started many games for the Packers this past year.Â
Franchise Tag:
- WR Davante Adams (Projected Franchise Tag Price: $19.127 M)
Outside of Rodgers, Adams will be the most mentioned Packer this offseason. If the Packers are unable to sign Adams to an extension, the franchise tag will be fully in play despite the difficult cap situation Green Bay finds themselves in. Adams is just that integral a part of this offense. If the star receiver ends up requesting a trade in the event that Rodgers decides to leave Green Bay, tagging and trading him would help the Packers recoup some sort of value for their top receiver. Considering how good Adams has been, he could garner high-end assets in return if the Packers decide to go this route.
Update: The Packers ended up using their franchise tag on star wideout Davante Adams.
Top Team Needs:
- Offensive Weapons for Aaron Rodgers
- Youth at Defensive End
- Offensive Tackle
- OL DepthÂ
- Cornerback Depth
Regardless of whether or not Adams is a Packer next season, Green Bay needs to improve the receiving corps. The Packers used a third-round pick on Amari Rodgers in 2021, who could certainly step up in 2022, but with six wide receivers and tight end Robert Tonyan sitting as pending free agents this offseason, this is by far the team's greatest need. The second biggest need in Green Bay is to find youth on the edge. While defensive ends may not get as much attention as linebackers in Joe Barry’s defense, it is still important that Packers address some of their rushers up front. With starter Tyler Lancaster as a free agent and Dean Lowry being 28 years old by the start of the new season, the Packers could certainly look to add some youth there, whether it be through the draft or free agency. Offensive line depth is going to be extremely important for Green Bay as starter Lucas Patrick and backup tackle Dennis Kelly could both leave for a destination that is able to pay them more after their performances this past season.
