The Green Bay Packers were able to avoid a disastrous outcome when they worked out a long-term extension with Aaron Rodgers. That will put to rest any of the chatter about Rodgers asking for a trade and looking to play elsewhere.
Unfortunately for the Packers, not everything was roses this offseason. They were able to keep Rodgers in town, but his No. 1 receiver, Davante Adams, went elsewhere. Adams had the franchise tag placed on him, but he made it clear he would not play this season out under the tag.
Green Bay tried to work out a long-term deal with him, but the relationship was too far gone. As a result, Adams will now be the No. 1 receiver with the only other quarterback he has known after high school in Fresno State teammate Derek Carr. To make matters worse, the Packers also lost No. 2 wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Following their own blockbuster wide receiver trade, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Valdes-Scantling to a three-year, $30 million deal. He, along with JuJu Smith-Schuster will be relied upon to help replace Tyreek Hill, who was traded to the Miami Dolphins because of salary issues in Kansas City.
Rodgers is one of the best to ever do it, but even the all-time greats need some help to find success. Right now, his top targets to throw the ball to are Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Amari Rodgers.
While speaking to NFL Analysis Network, an NFL scout got brutally honest about the wide receiver situation in Green Bay.
“Should the Packers be panicking right now? No. But, if they can’t bring in at least a big impact veteran receiver, they’re going to be in trouble. Aaron Rodgers is amazing, but rookies and the Lazard/Cobb combo aren’t going to cut it.”
The free-agent market for wide receivers is thin right now. Odell Beckham Jr. is still available but there is a chance that he missed a large chunk of the season following a torn ACL suffered in the Super Bowl.
Will Fuller V is another name to keep an eye on, but he has struggled with injuries himself throughout his career. A.J. Green is one more veteran still unsigned that could interest the Packers.
With two first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, it would be shocking if Green Bay didn’t use at least one of those selections on a wide receiver. Given the state of the position, it isn’t outside the realm of possibilities that both selections are used on wide receivers.
If the Packers go the trade route, Brandin Cooks should be atop their wish list. Calling the New Orleans Saints, who are in dire straits when it comes to the salary cap, about Michael Thomas could be another avenue to explore.
