The Green Bay Packers had the youngest roster in the NFL during the 2023 season, but we got a glimpse of how high their ceiling can be in the second half of the season. The Packers qualified for the playoffs and defeated the Dallas Cowboys during Super Wild Card Weekend, becoming the first No. 7 seed to win a game in the playoffs.
A big reason for their success down the stretch was the performance of their offense. The Packers were lacking in experience, but more than made up for it in talent as they had a productive group that got better as the season went along.
Once healthy, a big contributor was running back Aaron Jones. Jones ran for 100+ yards in each of the final five games of the season, including the playoffs. His production was something the team missed for a chunk of the season as he dealt with several injuries.
NFL News & Rumors: Saquon Barkley, 2024 NFL Free Agency, Green Bay Packers Updates
Heading into free agency, people will be keeping an eye on what the Packers do at the running back position. AJ Dillon is set to become a free agent and Jones could be on the chopping block after having to take a pay cut to remain with the team in 2023.
How could they fill that void? Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report has suggested that the Packers take a look at bringing in New York Giants star free agent, Saquon Barkley.
“Barkley is one of the better running backs in the NFL when healthy. But he missed three games in 2023, his numbers were down relative to his Pro Bowl season in 2022, and last season’s implosion demonstrated that the Giants’ problems are too extensive to pay big-time money at, arguably, the most devalued position in the NFL.
The Penn State product is an excellent running back, and he’s still just 26. He could be an outstanding complementary piece for a contender. But he’s not a foundational player. No running back is. Paying one big bucks is a luxury, not a necessity. And right now, Barkley is a luxury the Giants cannot afford,” wrote Davenport.
Barkley is hitting free agency for the second offseason in a row. Last year, he had the franchise tag placed on him by the Giants and a long-term deal was unable to be worked out. That resulted in him playing out the 2023 season under an amended one-year deal.
NFL News & Rumors: Saquon Barkley, 2024 NFL Free Agency, Green Bay Packers Updates
It doesn’t sound like the franchise tag will be in play this time around, affording Barkley the chance to evaluate different options around the league. He could be someone the Packers keep an eye on, as they were rumored to be interested in trading for Jonathan Taylor and signing him to a long-term contract before he worked things out with the Indianapolis Colts.
Barkley, with a $9.9 million projected annual value over the course of a three-year deal, would be a cheaper alternative to Jones in the backfield. But, given how inexpensive the roster is as a whole, Green Bay could even try to pair the two together, making the most dynamic backfield pairing in the NFL.
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