Packers 2022 Offseason Thread - Adams Traded to Raiders for 2022 1st and 2nd Rd Picks

[LUKE23]

I'm getting this one going.

Broncos have the 9th pick.

Cap casualties a plenty are coming. I think they trade Rodgers, Love plays in 2022, and if it looks like he isn't the answer, they draft a QB in the 2023 draft.

Tag and trade Adams for best offer.

Cap - Z, Preston, Cobb, and Turner gone. MVS and Tonyan - who knows.

They try and bring back Douglas and Campbell.

They try and re-structure Bakhtiari.

Going to be a crazy offseason.

[MickeyDavis]

We'll use this going forward and I'll lock up the current Packers news thread.

The new league year, and free agency, starts March 16. The Rodgers situation needs to be resolved by then although trades can't officially happen until that date. I'd take the Broncos first, second and Jeudy. Pittsburgh would have to offer more since they are at #20. Obviously Rodgers has to agree to the team or he'll just retire (or threaten to).

Tag and trade Adams would be nice. Have to get under the cap to tag him though.

[Swan Vox]

Reasons for hope?

Defense was pretty damn good last night & has some ascending young / elite core players in Gary, Stokes, Jaire, Clark and Savage. It would be really nice to keep Campbell at the least. He changed the whole dynamic of the D and shored up the second level. I’m ok with having a dominant defense while we figure out the QB situation moving forward from Rodgers.

[MickeyDavis]

Read on Twitter

[zmanishere11]

The off-season starts w Rodgers. If he stays and wants to play w Davante he needs to get his cap number down by about half. If he's not interested in that we will be moving on. Getting his cap number to 25 mil, cutting Cobb and the Smiths is enough to pay Davante.

Last off-season I suggested trading or cutting Zadarius - that went over like a fart in church.

This off-season I'm going to suggest we trade Jaire. His cap number is 13 mil but he's going to want to get paid on a long term deal closer to 20 mil a year. Likely we can still grab a 1 for him. A team can only have so many guys making 20 mil a year on it - $13 mil might be enough to keep Douglas / Campbell.

I'm not even going to consider a scenario where Rodgers leaves until that is official. We have no idea where he goes in that scenario or what he's worth, but that would obviously change things.

[Swan Vox]

I think it was mentioned in the game thread, but good gravy Rashan Gary…a lot of egg on a lot of faces including my own. Gary has Defensive Player of the Year potential. He was a mega stud last night & an incredible piece to build our defensive around.

[jakecronus8]

Rodgers will be gone. My current power rankings for his next destination are

Denver
Oakland
Pittsburgh
Indy
Cleveland

I really wish they’d let nfc teams bid to drive the price up but that’s not how they roll.

There will be mass casualties. Even if guys like Z or Preston could garner assets back in a trade, it likely won’t matter as they need to be under the cap before the new league year begins.

Build around the run game and fortify that defense. See what the kid’s got. I also think they may draft a QB early depending on how the board falls to keep Love on his heels.

Anyways, the Milwaukee Bucks are the world champions.

[M-C-G]

A team paying a QB on a rookie and even second contract can absolutely afford to pay a bunch of guys 20M range as long as you plan it out strategically.

QB - Rodgers to Denver feels like it is somewhat destined to happen. Sign Teddy Bridgewater as the vet to work with Love, or someone similar.

WR - You can't let him walk for nothing, so you do what you need to do to get a first round pick for him, this gets a bit cleaner if a WR is coming back from the Broncos like Jeudy. I think you bring back Lazard, because he fits your system and I don't think he will cost much, same might go with MVS, but I think he is fairly replaceable.

TE - I love Tonyan, but not sure if he is a difference maker, maybe a one year deal where he can rehab his knee and value and then revisit the following year if it makes sense to sign to another deal.

OL - I think you roll back with everyone on the OL and next year, when Bakh is healthy you move him for picks, not this offseason.

D - Cut bait on the Smiths, and find via FA or draft a disruptive DT that can help unlock Clarks game inside. Extend Jaire.

ST - obviously they need to do something different, which means you might as well reboot entirely with a new coordinator, new kicker, find a snapper that doesn't weigh 150 pounds, I guess the punter can stay.

And as fans, I think we need to give Love a long leash, he isn't going to be Favre or Rodgers and he is going to need time to develop. Luckily, Rodgers seems to have alienated everyone, so that should probably help, definitely so if he gets some draft collateral back as part of the trade. I had talked myself into 50/50 he might be back, but now I think he is 10% back, 40% retire, 50% traded.

[M-C-G]

I think it was mentioned in the game thread, but good gravy Rashan Gary…a lot of egg on a lot of faces including my own. Gary has Defensive Player of the Year potential. He was a mega stud last night & an incredible piece to build our defensive around.

Yeah, I think in a thread last season I did a comparison to Khalil Mack. In 2018 Mack was an All Pro at age 27, 14 games;
26 hurries
8 QB knockdowns
47 pressures
12.5 sacks
6 forced fumbles
10 tackles for loss

This season for Gary in 16 games (age 24)
20 hurries
16 QB knockdowns
47 pressures
9.5 sacks
2 forced fumbles
8 tackles for loss

Yesterday, he had 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 3 QB hits. He is just a little leap to all pro next year.

[MickeyDavis]

Rodgers cap hit next year is $46 million. It's $26.8 million if we trade him. There are ways to get that $46 million number down of course if he stays. Bahk's cap hit goes from $10.9 million to $22.7 million next year, we need to get that down. It's $39 million if we cut him so that's not happening. We will exercise the 5th year option on Gary so we have 2 more years of him cheap.

[M-C-G]

Rodgers cap hit next year is $46 million. It's $26.8 million if we trade him. There are ways to get that $46 million number down of course if he stays. Bahk's cap hit goes from $10.9 million to $22.7 million next year, we need to get that down. It's $39 million if we cut him so that's not happening.

Yeah, you don't just cut premier LT in the league. Any LT that has been in a pro bowl, is minimum worth a first round pick, if healthy you could probably get a 1st and 3rd for him, so best to let him get healthy.

[LUKE23]

Davante isn't staying without Rodgers at QB. No chance.

[Daver]

We'll use this going forward and I'll lock up the current Packers news thread.

The new league year, and free agency, starts March 16. The Rodgers situation needs to be resolved by then although trades can't officially happen until that date. I'd take the Broncos first, second and Jeudy. Pittsburgh would have to offer more since they are at #20. Obviously Rodgers has to agree to the team or he'll just retire (or threaten to).

Tag and trade Adams would be nice. Have to get under the cap to tag him though.

Doesnt the cap rise like 25 million or so wouldnt that help keep some players

[M-C-G]

We'll use this going forward and I'll lock up the current Packers news thread.

The new league year, and free agency, starts March 16. The Rodgers situation needs to be resolved by then although trades can't officially happen until that date. I'd take the Broncos first, second and Jeudy. Pittsburgh would have to offer more since they are at #20. Obviously Rodgers has to agree to the team or he'll just retire (or threaten to).

Tag and trade Adams would be nice. Have to get under the cap to tag him though.

Doesnt the cap rise like 25 million or so wouldnt that help keep some players

2021 cap was 182M
2022 cap looks like 208M per spotrac, we have 3M of cap rolling forward as well

We are currently at a 234M in contracts for 2022. I believe if we cut both Smiths we are below the cap

EDIT: On spotrac, something funky with Jaire's salary which isn't counted on the cap because it is a non football injury section. Weird, so if you add that into the mix, looks like closer to 248M or so, which does not include anything for Adams. Geesh, this offseason is going to be a fun one.

[MickeyDavis]

Here's some stuff to chew on. McGinn every year talks to scouts who rank positions in our division. Much of McGinn's stuff is behind a paywall but this wasn't so I'm posting it. Interesting that the scouts have Campbell, an all-pro, ranked third in the division.

These scouts chimed in before last nights debacle.

DL
1. Kenny Clark, GB (16 games, 16 starts, 782 snaps): By far the best pass rusher among the group was Clark. His ability to play with strength, leverage and quickness means the world to the Packers’ run defense. “I do love him,” said one scout. “He’s a really good run player. For a nose tackle he does offer you pass rush, which is rare. His inside presence really changes how you have to block them.”

6. Dean Lowry, GB (17-17, 674): Played some of the best ball of his five-year career as a starter down the stretch. “He generally has more strength than the guy he’s playing against,” one scout said. “He’s an ideal two-gap type strength player, and he makes an occasional big play. Bat a ball or somehow overpower somebody and get a sack. You don’t see him out all by himself separating from a blocker. I think he’s really good.”

Edge Rusher
3. Rashan Gary, GB (16-16, 681): In three seasons his sack total has increased from two as a rookie to five in 2020 to a team-leading 9 ½ this season. “He’s still a little deficient against the run but his ability to be an effective speed rusher off the edge, he’s proven that,” one scout said. “He gets caught inside. We have him listed at 277 but he plays like he’s 250. He doesn’t play firm, especially against the run. I think he wants to rush the passer but I don’t know if he wants to play the run. I do think he lacks some discipline as a run defender. He doesn’t always stay in his gap. He gets in poor positions. But he’s got 9 ½ sacks and 28 quarterback hits this year. I’ll take that.”

6. Preston Smith, GB (16-16, 689): After a top-notch first season for the Packers, he was pedestrian in 2020. With his career on the line at 29, Smith was back getting after quarterbacks. “He had a much more solid year this year than last year,” said one scout. “More consistent. Maybe a better mindset.”

LB
3. De’Vondre Campbell, GB (16-16, 988): On June 9, the Packers signed him to a one-year, $2 million contract ($1.01 signing bonus). It ranked as one of the team’s finest unheralded off-season signings since return ace Desmond Howard came aboard on July 11, 1996. “I was not shocked that he’s having a good season,” one scout said. “He’s a smart, instinctive guy. He runs well. His feel in zones, reading the quarterback and breaking to the ball, does a good job with that … he’s not an explosive, come downhill and take you on (player). That’s not his game. He’s just a good football player. He finds the ball. He’ll be a free agent this year. He’ll have a nice new contract.”

9. Krys Barnes, GB (16-13, 527): As a rookie, he beat out Christian Kirksey and Kamal Martin to become the club’s No. 1 linebacker as a rookie free agent. Took a backseat to Campbell after the awful opener against the Saints but remained ahead of Oren Burks and Jaylon Smith, who did receive an audition in Games 6-7. “You see some really good things, and other times he plays on the small side and gets worked,” said one scout. “He’s truly a really good No. 3 rotational guy. They trust Campbell a little more.”

CB
2. Rasul Douglas, GB (12-9, 680): Plucked from the Cardinals’ practice squad a month into the season, the former Eagle immediately started because of injuries to Alexander and Kevin King. Over the last 10 games he became a fixture on the right outside, where he returned two of his five interceptions for touchdowns. “Some day he may get exposed as being what he was,” said one scout. “But it’s a game of big plays, and he made a number of them for whatever reason.”

4. Eric Stokes, GB (16-14, 935): Played just eight snaps in the opener. Became a starter in Game 3 when King went down, and stepped into the No. 1 role on the left outside in Game 5 after Alexander was injured. “He’s done a good job and has a lot of upside,” one scout said. “I don’t think he’ll be a great player but he’ll be a good player.” Intercepted one pass and dropped six other good chances. “You want the INTs but you like the PBUs, too,” said the scout.

7. Chandon Sullivan, GB (17-10, 827): The former Eagles’ undrafted rookie in 2018 has played all 49 games for the Packers since ’19, almost all as the nickel back. “Nickel-only player,” said one scout. “Average athlete who is loose and fluid but lacks speed and the quickness to change directions. Most functional in zone, where he is aware with enough of a trigger off the spot to break on things in his underneath area. Very physical and grabby in man, and can get away with it inside. Below-average tackler, lacks physical strength.”

Safety
3. Adrian Amos, GB (17-17, 1,048): Has played every game and almost every snap since leaving the Bears to join the Packers as an unrestricted free agent in March 2019. “What he is is a solid tackler,” said one scout. “He just can’t cover. If you get him isolated in coverage then you’ve got him. If he was in college he’d probably be playing linebacker right now. He’s a downhill, get to the line of scrimmage guy.”

4. Darnell Savage, GB (17-17, 1,038): A first-round draft choice in 2019, he has started for three years. “He has the ability to play more man than Amos,” one scout said. “He has the ability to play in space against slots when he has to but he has definitely flat-lined in his productivity. He benefits by the play of those corners when they’re healthy. He hasn’t shown to be a top guy … I don’t think his eyes have ever been good. He doesn’t see things like he should.”

Punter
2. Corey Bojorquez, GB: Acquired via trade from the Rams to replace JK Scott shortly before the season, he tied for 12th in gross (46.5) and tied for 18th in net (40.0). “He might have the most talent but his whole career has been up and down,” said one coach. “It’s, ‘Wow, look at that punt.’ Then the next two and it’s, ‘Oh, whatever.’ That’s the way he’s always played.”

KR
4. Amari Rodgers, GB: He returned 11 for an 18.1 average. “I wouldn’t want him,” said one coach. “I’ve never seen him be impressive. He doesn’t have any long speed. So that’s a problem.”

LS
4. Steven Wirtel, GB: Was signed to the practice squad Sept. 2 before being promoted to replace Hunter Bradley, who was released after eight games. He struggled early, especially on placement snaps, before improving down the stretch. “His snaps have been OK,” said one coach. “Not a great cover guy. He has improved more than Bojorquez (the holder) has. I think Bojorquez misses the spot.”

WR
1. Davante Adams, GB (16 games, 16 starts, 886 snaps): Caught 123 balls, second to the Rams’ Cooper Kupp, while dropping only three. “He’ll get paid a lot of money in this off-season,” one scout said. “Franchise tag or whatever. He’s a guy I wouldn’t worry about paying. He’s a professional. There’s really no negatives.”

7. Allen Lazard, GB (15-13, 716): Functioned as a heavy-duty blocker all season as one of the most formidable looking wideouts in the league. Over the last month, he made several tough catches tight to the boundary and amid traffic inside. “He’s not special by any means,” said one scout. “Those other guys have more route-running ability. What he does a good job with is all the dirty work. He’s not a quick-twitch guy, but if you use him the right way he can be very effective.”

8. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB (11-7, 455): Oversized deep threat with the speed and the stride to outrun almost every defensive back. “As a deep-shot guy he does a good job,” said one scout. “He’s really intriguing because of his size. The hands are a little bit questionable.”

TE
2. Robert Tonyan, GB (8-5, 306): Tonyan was off to a mediocre start when he blew out his knee in Game 8. The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time with his contract expiring at season’s end. “He wasn’t having the production this year,” said one scout. “It (his market value) will be interesting coming off an ACL. Receiving type tight end.”

Tackles
3. Elgton Jenkins, GB (8-8, 496): The starting LG, he was forced to move to LT because David Bakhtiari suffered complications returning from reconstructive knee surgery. Then Jenkins suffered his own ACL tear in Game 11. “Hell of a football player,” said one scout. “I actually think he could be a tackle, guard or center. He could be real good at any one.”

5. Billy Turner, GB (13-13, 810): He was cruising along in his third season as a starter in Green Bay when he suffered a knee injury in Game 13 and was done for the remainder of the regular season. “He is what he is,” said one scout said of the 30-year-old. “He’s an average starter. He gets a little sloppy at times with his technique, especially pass rush. Little bit tight and rigid. He does a good job using his size and length to stay in phase and not let guys pass him.”

7. Yosh Nijman, GB (17-8, 590): Hardly played a down in his first two seasons after making the club as an undrafted rookie from Virginia Tech in 2019. When opportunity knocked this season he responded positively. “He has done a good job,” said one scout. “I do like his physical skill set. They also do a good job on play-action stuff and the quarterback throws the ball quick. He struggles a little bit in pass pro. Not because of athleticism but just getting set up and working things. He’ll be late to shoot his hands. Awareness type stuff. There’s definitely some mental things there, instinctual things. He’s good in the run game. He hasn’t been an issue for them.”

9. Dennis Kelly, GB (10-4, 305): Seeking insurance for a Super Bowl run, the Packers gave the former Titan a one-year, $1.325 million ($250,000 signing bonus) on July 29. He didn’t play a snap until Turner went down in Game 13, then started the rest of the way. “He’s a perfect backup,” said one scout. “He’s a muscle guy. He wants to lay it on ‘em. He’s a smart guy in that he knows his limitations. Is he the niftiest cat on earth? No.”

Guards
5. Jon Runyan, GB (17-16, 1,053): With Jenkins forced to play LT, Runyan emerged from a crowded competition at LG and started from Game 2 on. “I would label him dependable,” said one scout. “He’s not prone to a clean miss or to give up a big play. He’s good on combo’s. In protection, I didn’t notice a consistent fault. Overall, he’s solid.”

7. Royce Newman, GB (17-16, 1,084): Drafted in the fourth round, Newman started 12 games at LG and 10 at RT for Ole Miss. Won the RG job during training camp and held it until Game 17. “He has a pretty good upside,” one scout said. “He’s got enough ability. He’s strong enough. He moves his feet well enough. Not having the bonehead play is the next step for him.”

Centers
1. Lucas Patrick, GB (17-13, 911): He started at LG in Game 1 before not playing at all in Games 2-4. When Josh Myers suffered a knee injury, Patrick took over. “I’m not so sure he might not be every bit as good as Myers,” said one scout. “He was a multiple inside player before. If anybody was a come-through guy in a challenging situation, it was him. He’s a pretty damn good player.” Added a second scout: “He’ll outwork somebody and dump their ass on the ground a couple times a game. His positives outweigh his negatives. He’s a try-hard guy who has become a good player.”

3. Josh Myers, GB (6-6, 293): When the Packers lost Linsley to the Chargers in unrestricted free agency, they drafted Myers in the second round to replace him. “He was learning the ropes when he got hurt,” said one scout. “For a big guy he moves OK. He’ll be a lot to get around.”

QB
1. Aaron Rodgers, GB (16-16, 983): The year began with Rodgers engaged in a game of cat-and-mouse with the Packers’ management and sitting out the entire off-season. That led up to a 38-3 loss to the Saints on opening day. One of their other four defeats, in Kansas City, was brought about when the unvaccinated quarterback tested positive for Covid and had to sit out. Otherwise, he was on point and in complete command of a clever offensive scheme. “He makes everything around him better,” said one scout. “He’s the concealer. He makes all the warts go away. Maybe he is truly an ****, but I wish he was my ****.”

RB
2. Aaron Jones, GB (15-15, 578): In Jones’s five-year career his highest playing time was 62.9% in 2019. With the arrival of AJ Dillon in 2020, Jones dipped to 51.3% last year and 51.8% this year. He’s an all-around threat as a runner or catching passes near the sideline. ”He’s so explosive,” said one scout.

4 AJ Dillon, GB (17-2, 476): He provided the Packers with the big back to go with Jones. “I could live with that (Dillon as a starter),” said one scout. “He can’t do the same things in space that Jones can, but he’s proven to me he can be effective enough in the passing game and has value on all downs. When you get into the fourth quarter and you lead with 6 minutes to go, and you want to grind that clock out, Dillon has the push for that 2 yards to get you the first down.”

FB
3. Josiah Deguara, GB (16-2, 367): His rookie season a year ago was washed away by a torn ACL. His playing time expanded considerably from midseason on after Robert Tonyan underwent reconstructive knee surgery. “He probably should have been a fifth- or sixth-round pick,” said one scout. “Third was high. He has some interesting traits. He’s caught the ball good but he hasn’t proven to be any kind of a dynamic player.”

[Mags FTW]

Looking forward to a much more balanced roster. It's hard to win it all when 1 guy is eating up 15% of your cap.

Start the rebuild with the O-Line And D-Lines. A good O-Line gives average RBs more room to run, average QBs more time to throw, and average WRs more time to get open.

A good D-Line can mask deficiencies of the LBs and secondary.

[ReasonablySober]

.

The toilet paper I wipe my ass with is more valuable than the scouting quotes that McGinn uses. It's fundamentally usesless.

[M-C-G]

Looking forward to a much more balanced roster. It's hard to win it all when 1 guy is eating up 15% of your cap.

Start the rebuild with the O-Line And D-Lines. A good O-Line gives average RBs more room to run, average QBs more time to throw, and average WRs more time to get open.

A good D-Line can mask deficiencies of the LBs and secondary.

Yeah, I think that has to be the plan, or at least should be. Also will be interesting to see what MLF's offense looks like with Love in there, I expect a lot of getting the ball out of the hand quickly.

We also desperately need a YAC guy

[ReginaldDwight]

Davante isn't staying without Rodgers at QB. No chance.

The chance is making him the highest paid WR in the NFL. I know its fun to play with 12 for him but a big bag of cash is pretty fun too.

[PintSizedBox10]

Looking forward to a much more balanced roster. It's hard to win it all when 1 guy is eating up 15% of your cap.

Start the rebuild with the O-Line And D-Lines. A good O-Line gives average RBs more room to run, average QBs more time to throw, and average WRs more time to get open.

A good D-Line can mask deficiencies of the LBs and secondary.

Yeah, I think that has to be the plan, or at least should be. Also will be interesting to see what MLF's offense looks like with Love in there, I expect a lot of getting the ball out of the hand quickly.

We also desperately need a YAC guy

I've been screaming this for years. Enough of the big body plodders that can't create separation or make anything happen with the ball in their hands. We really need some quick twitch guys that can make the defense miss.