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The Green Bay Packers Are Adding To Their List Of Needs

By Joe Kiemen

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Jared Cook (89) runs the ball against Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) during the third quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Jared Cook (89) runs the ball against Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) during the third quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Green Bay Packers have already lost J.C. Tretter and Micah Hyde to free-agency and stand to lose more.

On day one of NFL free agency, the Green Bay Packers lone signing was linebacker Nick Perry. Usually, re-signing the team’s best pass rusher is a major victory for an NFL organization, but there is reason to hesitate in Green Bay. Perry’s history with injuries make the investment a risky but necessary investment due to a lack of alternatives.

If Clay Matthews was playing at a pro-bowl level, the Packers could let the former UCLA Bruin walk and replace him by committee. A combination of Kyler Fackrell or Datone Jones (FA) would be a cheaper alternative and minimize the amount of capital invested in one player. But because of Matthews’ drop in production and proneness to injuries, Ted Thompson had no choice but to pay up for Perry.

By adding the outside linebacker to the list of highest paid Packers, Thompson appears set to lose T.J. Lang, Jared Cook and possibly Eddie Lacy.

According to Liz Matthews of the Seahawks Wire, both the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks have or will make their pitch to Lang.

"“The Seattle Seahawks aren’t wasting any time bringing T.J. Lang in for a visit. The free agent offensive lineman is scheduled to land in the Emerald City is just over an hour, according to The Huffington Post. Lang, who was in Detroit yesterday for a visit with the Lions, has yet to sign a deal, but has spoken openly about allowing the Green Packers to match any offers.”"

Such heavy involvement from multiple teams is not a good sign for the Packers. Having already paid top dollar to keep Nick Perry, it is unlikely they get into a bidding war for Lang.

Heading into the second day of free agency, news also broke that Jared Cook was likely to move on from Green Bay. Covering the story, NFL Insider Adam Schefter tweeted 

Despite being injured for a significant portion of 2016, Cook did enough to prove his worth on a one-year contract. Even with concerns over his ability to replicate success with someone other than Aaron Rodgers, his late season production, and athleticism are making him a hot commodity.

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This development puts the Packers in the running to draft a tight end in the early rounds. But after testing well in the combine, O.J. Howard is likely to be off the board before Green Bay makes their pick.

In the case of Eddie Lacy, Seattle Time reporter. Bob Condotta names him as a major target for the Seahawks. 

"The Seahawks proved more serious than maybe anyone imagined they were about wanting to add some veteran depth at tailback. It had been revealed that Seattle will get visits from Jamaal Charles of Kansas City, Latavius Murray of Oakland and Eddie Lacy of Green Bay."

Given that Lacy has also scheduled a meeting the Packers, he appears the player with the best chance to re-sign. However, with the Seahawks and Vikings in the mix for his services, there is no guarantee of his return.

Next: Packers Lose Hyde To Bills

Thus far, the Green Bay Packers have potentially overpaid one player out pure necessity and are watching several others explore their options. By the end of the week, the Packers may have significantly added to their already long list of off-season needs.

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