4 pending free agents Packers shouldn’t bring back in 2022 offseason
The Green Bay Packers‘ front office has enough on their plate when it comes to cutting massive amounts of money just to get in a legal salary cap standing before the 2022 offseason officially begins. That doesn’t take into consideration the long list of free agents they must address as well.
Green Bay has a mixture of unrestricted, restricted, and exclusive rights free agents they must make a decision on this offseason. Some of the guys are going to be too pricey for the Packers’ liking while others weren’t productive enough to warrant bringing back for another season.
Let’s take a look at four players the Packers should let walk and not re-sign this offseason.
The Green Bay Packers would be wise to avoid re-signing these four pending free agents during the 2022 offseason.
Free agents Packers shouldn’t bring back: Lucas Patrick
The Packers would love to bring back Lucas Patrick who was a versatile and productive interior offensive lineman for them throughout his career. However, they’ve invested significant draft capital in recent years in their interior line and it wouldn’t make sense to double down on limited financial resources by re-signing Patrick.
Elgton Jenkins will hopefully return at some point in 2022 while they also have Josh Myers, Jake Hanson, and Jon Runyan likely returning next year as well. Patrick would be a luxury for the Packers, but a luxury they can’t afford given their salary cap woes.
Free agents Packers shouldn’t bring back: Chandon Sullivan
Chandon Sullivan has held down the Packers’ slot corner role for the last few years and Green Bay clearly needs to go in another direction for an upgrade. Sullivan posted a 55.0 PFF grade last year–the lowest since he took over in this role–which ranked 94th among 116th qualified cornerbacks. It would be nice to have his experience return, but the Packers can probably get the same quality of play at a much cheaper rate.
Free agents Packers shouldn’t bring back: Tyler Lancaster
Green Bay invested in Jack Heflin and TJ Slaton last year and they will hopefully be ready to contribute at a much higher rate in 2022. Tyler Lancaster was a big body who could’ve been more helpful against the run than he showed in Green Bay. The Packers simply can’t afford Lancaster even if they wanted him back.
Free agents Packers shouldn’t bring back: Equanimeous St. Brown
Other than Amari Rodgers, the Packers’ entire wide receiver position might not be back next year. Of course, Green Bay will work hard to keep as much talent as they can, but there are no guarantees.
That includes Equanimous St. Brown who is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. St. Brown had small flashes throughout his time with the Packers but doesn’t bring much to the table. Green Bay can easily replace his production with another rookie or a cheap addition from the free agent pool. Unless the two sides agree to a minimal contract, it’s unlikely they’ll bring him back.