Packers’ comprehensive 2021 offseason to do list

Despite winning 13 games and advancing to the NFC Championship game in back-to-back seasons under head coach Matt LaFleur, the Green Bay Packers have a lot of work ahead of them this offseason.

If they want to take the next step and get back to the Super Bowl, general manager Brian Gutekunst has an unusually long to-do list. Part of that is due to the depressed salary cap due to covid-19, and part of it is due to the large amount of Packers who are set to be free agents this offseason. That list includes, but isn’t limited to, Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, Corey Linsley and Kevin King.

Although the Packers are on the shortlist of teams who are truly Super Bowl threats, the NFL changes dramatically every season and they could suddenly find themselves looking up at the rest of the Pack if they don’t make the correct moves. With a lot of work ahead of them, let’s take a look at an all-inclusive to-do list for Green Bay this offseason.

Here is a 2021 offseason to-do list for the Green Bay Packers that encompasses every single task they must accomplish before next season.

• Hire defensive coordinator
• Fill defensive staff
• Get under the salary cap
• Find starting cornerback
• Find starting defensive line
• Add cornerback depth
• Add offensive tackle depth
• Add defensive line depth
• Accept Jaire Alexander’s fifth-year option
• Extend Davante Adams
• Tender/Extend Robert Tonyan
• Tender Allen Lazard
• Add wide receiver depth
• Add a backup running back
• Add a hybrid safety
• Add a kick returner
• Add a tight end
• Add interior offensive line
• Add punting competition
• Improve special teams

The list starts with hiring a defensive coordinator and it appears LaFleur has whittled the list down to two candidates. From there, they must fill in the rest of the defensive staff as Gutekunst finds a way to get under the projected $180 million salary cap next season.

After that’s all said and done, then it comes to the roster. Cornerback is at the very top of the list, but they must also add players via free agency or the draft at key positions such as the defensive and offensive line, wide receiver, running back, and safety.

Then there’s the pesky special teams’ problem. The Packers already hired a new coordinator, but their issues run much deeper than that. They must bring in guys who can make an impact in that area of the game, including punting competition for J.K. Scott.

It will be interesting to see how Green Bay accomplishes all of these tasks with a finite amount of resources this offseason.