Aaron Rodgers, Packers' Biggest Decisions to Make in NFL Offseason
The Green Bay Packers will face one of their toughest offseasons in recent memory once the 2022 NFL regular season reaches its conclusion.
Green Bay has a number of key free agents on offense and not all of them will be able to re-sign with the team because of their value on the open market.
The Packers are committed to Aaron Rodgers for at least one more season. Rodgers has a potential opt-out in his contract after the 2023 season, per Spotrac
Anything is possible in today's NFL, but it looks like the Packers will have Rodgers on the roster for at least one more season. The struggles of the 38-year-old quarterback this season likely decreased his value on the trade market.
Green Bay was unable to sign Davante Adams to a massive contract because Rodgers' contract is taking up so much salary cap room.
The Packers had success in the draft with Christian Watson and they may have to address wide receiver again in the 2023 NFL Draft if they can't hold on to Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb.
Wide Receiver Contracts
If you operate under the assumption that Aaron Rodgers will be back in 2023, the Packers' biggest offseason decisions come at wide receiver.
Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb are set to become free agents, as is tight end Robert Tonyan.
Lazard will probably cost the most money of the trio to keep around for 2023 and beyond.
The Packers traded away Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders last offseason because they were not going to be able to afford a massive contract for the star wide out.
Green Bay may not be able to afford Lazard either because of Aaron Rodgers' massive contract.
Cobb may be willing to come back to Green Bay on a discount because he is good friends with Rodgers. The Packers could rely on Cobb's veteran experience to help along with any new young wide outs that enter the franchise in 2023.
Green Bay found success with Christian Watson this season out of the second round of the draft. The Packers need another draft success story to feel confident about a potential decision to let Lazard walk.
The Packers will be playing a risky game of chance if Lazard leaves because for every Christian Watson there is an Amari Rodgers in the rookie class.
The NFC North side should make an attempt to bring back Lazard in some capacity, but if not, Watson will be the go-to target in 2023.
Quarterback Situation
Jordan Love is under contract with the Packers for the 2023 season, but a tough decision could lay in front of the team with the 24-year-old quarterback.
Love showed some signs of progression in his relief duty on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, but he will go right back to the bench if Rodgers is healthy for Week 13.
At some point, the Packers either need to commit to Love, or try to trade him and give him an opportunity elsewhere.
Rodgers appears to be untradeable now and the Packers can't allow this season's struggles to bleed over into 2023.
A hard discussion would have to be had with Rodgers if the Packers want to go with Love in 2023, but that call comes with a lot of unknowns since the 2020 draft pick has not been on the field much.
A trade would make more sense from the player's perspective because Love probably does not want to waste more time on the bench. He could be an intriguing option for a team with a quarterback need that does not have a high draft pick, or is unable to land C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young.
The Packers would love to keep him around as insurance for Rodgers, in case the struggles are there in 2023 and a permanent in-season change needs to happen.
You would think Rodgers is the starter until he says he is done, but that leaves Love in an awkward spot potentially waiting for his turn for the fourth straight season.
Which Defensive Free Agents to Bring Back
The likely roster overhaul does not pertain just to the offense.
Dean Lowry and Adrian Amos are set to become free agents at the end of the 2022 season.
Lowry has been a stalwart on the Green Bay defensive line since 2016 and Amos has been a key part of the secondary for the last four seasons.
Green Bay's salary cap hindrances may not allow it to sign either player back to the squad for 2023 and beyond.
The Packers have had success in draft with top-end defensive players in Quay Walker and Eric Stokes.
Green Bay could commit to getting younger across the board and put more responsibilities on the remaining players and incoming rookies.
The Packers could also make deals with cheaper free agents to improve the squad while staying within the salary cap constraints.
The potential losses of Lowry and Amos would take away two of the team's tacklers and diminish some of the experience in two of the three layers of defense.
Green Bay should make efforts to re-sign both players, but it may not be able to keep them, especially if the focus is on retaining the offensive free agents.