In the National Football League, teams are only allowed to carry a 53-man roster. Every NFL team must choose who they want on their final cut before the regular season starts. The Green Bay Packers have had an extremely successful recent history with winning Super Bowls in 2010 and 2011 as well as being in contention for three other Lombardi trophies (2011, 2014, 2015), so it is no surprise that they find themselves at #3 on USA Today’s list of most likely playoff opponents this year.
The “green bay packers players” is a list of 3 players the Green Bay Packers must target. The Packers have a lot of needs and these 3 players are the ones that they should go after.
This offseason, the Green Bay Packers find themselves in a unique situation. There’s a possibility they can keep their Super Bowl window open and go all-in with Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams if they can swing it. There’s also the possibility of a rebuild, but it would almost certainly require trading Rodgers and letting Adams depart in free agency, both of which seem improbable.
If the Packers want to keep chasing a Super Bowl right now, they’ll have to figure out a way to repair their cap issue while keeping crucial players. Given that they’re expected to be $51.2 million over the cap when the league year begins, free agency this offseason will be more about keeping components of what may be a Super Bowl squad than about shopping on the open market.
It’s not as exciting as fantasizing about who the Packers might sign, but that’s the reality this summer. Any more players the Packers need will almost certainly have to be acquired via trade or the NFL Draft.
In light of that, here’s a rating of Green Bay’s top three free agency “targets.” It’s not surprising. It’s entirely done in-house.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers, needs to be re-signed.
In the 2020 season, Marquez Valdes-Scantling showed glimpses of his real talent for the Packers, catching 33 catches for 690 yards and six touchdowns. He was an ideal deep threat for Rodgers downfield because of his speed and stature (6-foot-4, 206 pounds), and he was a huge play waiting to happen. MVS has single-handedly forced defenders to reconsider filling the box. He had a 20.9 yard per catch average and seemed to have earned Rodgers’ confidence and overcome some consistency concerns.
Injuries plagued MVS in 2021, and he couldn’t repeat his performance, catching only 26 catches for 430 yards and three touchdowns.
In free agency, his tragedy really benefits Green Bay.
The Packers are aware of his potential, but because to his consistency and injury history, they are unlikely to have to give him a high salary. Sure, he’ll attract some interest on the free market, but he’s already expressed a desire to return to Green Bay.
MVS should be able to sign a mid-level contract with the Packers, but there’s a decent possibility he can turn around and produce at a high level, particularly if Rodgers stays and they can continue to establish their relationship.
Davante Adams must be re-signed or franchised by the Packers.
Green Bay Packers’ Davante Adams #17 walks onto the field during a game against the Washington Redskins | John Fisher/Getty Images
In a perfect world, Green Bay’s offense would be better off without Davante Adams. Despite the fact that he is without a doubt the finest wide receiver in the league.
With Adams on the bench, Matt LaFleur’s offense has performed better, but that’s mostly because Rodgers is forced to distribute the ball about rather than focusing on his favorite target. It’s not Adams’ fault; rather, it’s Rodgers’ fault. It’s simply something to consider as the Packers consider spending at least $22 million on Adams’ franchise tag. There’s also the potential that they’ll be able to sign him to a long-term contract, but given their cap predicament, that seems unlikely. On his next deal, Adams is said to desire $30 million per year.
In any case, bringing back Rodgers is the beginning and conclusion of any scheme to keep the Super Bowl window open. There are very few situations in which Rodgers would return to Green Bay if his favorite target and close buddy isn’t available, making Adams’ re-signing a major priority for the Packers.
What’s the greatest choice for the Packers?
Adams may not like it, but the franchise tag will save them money in the short run while letting them to put a long-term contract off until later.
De’Vondre Campbell must be re-signed by the Packers.
Inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell #59 of the Green Bay Packers tackles Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison #25 | Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
Bringing back linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, who was Green Bay’s defensive leader last season, is even more crucial than sorting out what’s going on with Adams.
Campbell was given a chance to be “the man” in the midst of Joe Barry’s defense by the Packers. He’d spent much of his career as a utility player before arriving in Green Bay, but general manager Brian Gutekunst clearly saw something in him that the rest of the league didn’t.
Campbell was handed command of the defense and repaid the Packers with a first-team All-Pro performance. He held a significant lead on the team in total tackles (146 vs. 93 for the second-leading tackler), and he routinely produced plays for the defense. Campbell had six tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery at the conclusion of the season.
Campbell’s strong season has a negative for Green Bay in that he might go out on the free market and demand a lot of money after an All-Pro season. If the Packers are fortunate, he’ll be willing to accept a hometown discount in order to remain with the franchise that entrusted him with leading its defense. According to Spotrac, his market worth should be about $6.2 million per year, but there’s a possibility he’ll want to be closer to the top of the league’s typical inside linebacker pay in the $10-$15 million bracket.
Regardless of whatever path he takes, the Packers must do all possible to accommodate him. So what if he has to backload his contract or get clever with bonuses?
Green Bay has a potential to become an excellent defensive unit in the future, and Campbell must be the driving force behind it.
ESPN and Pro Football Reference provided the statistics. Spotrac provides contract information.
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