For the second consecutive offseason, the biggest storyline about the Green Bay Packers will be, what will Aaron Rodgers decide to do? His decision, whether it is to request a trade to another team, retire or return to the Packers, will determine the course of action the team takes this offseason.
If Rodgers retires or asks for a trade, Green Bay will be entering a rebuild. Given the salary cap issues the team is facing, they would likely try and sort those out this season if it doesn’t look like they will be as strong of contenders. They could also see what Jordan Love has as he enters his third season in the NFL but hasn’t had a real opportunity to showcase his talent yet.
But, if Rodgers decides to run it back one more time with the Packers, the front office will go all-in on trying to win another Super Bowl. They will restructure contracts and make the necessary moves to open up some cap space to bring in players to help them move closer to bringing home another championship.
The Rodgers decision will also greatly impact how the Packers approach the 2022 NFL Draft. Their needs will adjust depending on who is under center, but one area that could use a boost regardless of the starting quarterback is wide receiver.
Davante Adams is entering free agency this year. He cut off extension talks with the Packers last year and likely will somewhat tie his decision into what Rodgers decides to do. Whether or not he returns, the Packers need help at wideout.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling is a free agent and it is hard to imagine the team will have enough money for him to re-sign him. Could the Packers use their first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to help replace him?
It seems as if the Packers have some interest in Ohio State wide receiver, Chris Olave. The team met with him and he has also received high praise from his peers, as Wisconsin cornerback Faion Hicks said that Olave is the best wide receiver he’s gone up against.
Olave is one of two Ohio State wide receivers expected to be selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, as Garrett Wilson could be the first wide receiver off the board. If the Packers are going to have the chance to add Olave to their roster, they will need some luck.
Olave is projected to go in the top half of some mock drafts, while others have him going in the early 20s. The Packers will not be on the clock until late in the first round, as they own the No. 28 overall selection.
It would be a bit of a shock if Olave was still on the board by the time the Packers were making their pick. A more realistic option at wide receiver for Green Bay could be Jameson Williams of Alabama. Williams was the top-rated player at the position throughout the season, but a knee injury suffered in the national title game in January could knock him down the board.
