The Green Bay Packers are going to have a lot of difficult decisions to make this offseason. They could look drastically different in 2022 than they did in 2021 as there will be some salary cap casualties this offseason.
Green Bay found some great value last year on the open market, such as De’Vondre Campbell. They will have to do that again because those bargain players likely priced themselves out of returning to the Packers in 2022. Campbell, for example, turned in an All-Pro season playing on a one-year, $2 million deal and is in line for a big raise.
Campbell isn’t the only player that could be on the move as Brian Gutekunst is going to have to get creative when it comes to saving money and fielding a competitive roster. What kind of moves could we see from the franchise this offseason? Here are three to watch for.
3. Which Smith Stays?
There will be numerous veterans that end up being let go by the Packers this offseason to help save some money. Two of the players that are going to be on the chopping block are Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith.
Those two players make up 22 percent of the Packers’ cap space alone in 2022 and it is likely that one of them will be moved on from. Which one of them is traded or released, however, is tough to decide.
They have been a prolific tandem for Green Bay since joining forces, but with the emergence of Rashan Gary, the team can afford to move on from one of Preston or Za’Darius. Moving on from Za’Darius would remove $15.3 million of his $27.6 from the salary cap, so he could very well be the choice.
2. Davante Adams Franchise Tag
Given the salary cap restraints the Packers have, it will be difficult for them to retain some of their players. That means that free agency for star wide receiver Davante Adams could not have come at a worse time.
The Packers are going to be hard-pressed to meet his contract demands and will likely have to use the franchise tag on him. That is a pretty hefty price as well, as it will cost just about $18.5 million.
Adams is well worth that price, but can the Packers afford to pay it, is the question. There is a chance that he moves on this offseason, especially if he pushes to remain a tandem with Aaron Rodgers, should he leave town as well.
If Adams doesn’t receive the franchise tag, he will likely move on. There are plenty of teams around the league with money to spend and a need at wide receiver that would love to add arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL to their roster.
1. Aaron Rodgers Trade
The situation with Aaron Rodgers is the biggest thing to watch for when it comes to the Packers but is arguably the biggest thing in the entire league. Whatever happens with Rodgers will change the landscape of the NFL.
If he gets traded, that team will turn into an instant contender. If the Packers retain him, they should be among the favorites for the Super Bowl one again in the NFC. Green Bay will do everything in its power to make sure that he stays with the team, but ultimately, it will be for him to decide.
If he does ask for a trade, the Packers will likely try sending him to an AFC team so they don’t have to see him outside of a Super Bowl matchup. The Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts are two teams that would make sense in the AFC as landing spots for Rodgers.
