Throughout their history, the Green Bay Packers have often shied away from flashy free-agent signings, preferring to build their team through the draft and develop homegrown talent.
However, as they aim to build upon last season’s promising performance, there’s a growing recognition that this year might require a departure from their usual approach.
One area of concern is the interior linebacker position, where the roster currently has a noticeable gap. In a draft class thin on linebacker talent, the Packers may need to turn to free agency to address this need.
DeVondre Campbell, who received a hefty $50 million extension in 2021, is likely to be released after failing to meet expectations.
While young players like Quay Walker and Isaiah MacDuffie have shown promise, they are still in the developmental stage. The Packers’ defense, which ranked 16th in sacks and struggled against the run last season, requires reinforcements, particularly in the linebacker corps.
Matt Schneidman of The Athletic suggests several potential replacements for Campbell, with former Pro Bowler Devin White being the most intriguing option.
“There are plenty of moves they can make to create cap space, most notably the release or trade of left tackle David Bakhtiari, which would free up about $21 million. A couple of names perhaps to watch? … The Packers might need a veteran inside linebacker, too, assuming they release De’Vondre Campbell. Guys like Devin White, Josey Jewell and Zach Cunningham are set to be unrestricted free agents.”
White, known for his dynamic play on the field, is projected to command a significant contract despite some controversy surrounding his tenure with the Buccaneers.
Schneidman outlines different contract projections for White, ranging from a one-year, $7 million deal to a two-year, $21.5 million contract.
While options like Josey Jewell and Zach Cunningham offer more cost-effective solutions, signing White would represent a bold move for the Packers.
As the team enters the 2024 offseason slightly over the salary cap, they face tough decisions regarding roster management. Nevertheless, the Green Bay Packers remain an intriguing team to watch as they strive to construct a Super Bowl-caliber roster around young quarterback Jordan Love.
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