Green Bay Packers Re-Sign or Let Go & Prediction: Dennis Kelly

Green Bay Packers tackle Dennis Kelly (79) provides pass protection from Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard (52) during their preseason game Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Houston Texans beat the Green Bay Packers 26-7.Mjs Kelly 22 Jpg Packers15
Green Bay Packers tackle Dennis Kelly (79) provides pass protection from Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard (52) during their preseason game Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Houston Texans beat the Green Bay Packers 26-7.Mjs Kelly 22 Jpg Packers15 /
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Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers tackle Dennis Kelly (79) provides pass protection from Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard (52) during their preseason game Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Houston Texans beat the Green Bay Packers 26-7.Mjs Kelly 22 Jpg Packers15 /

Final Prediction: The Green Bay Packers will not re-sign Dennis Kelly

As I mentioned in the previous section, if Billy Turner is cut by the Packers in favor of the $3.35 million cap savings, then I do think the odds of a reunion with Kelly does make more sense for Green Bay.

However, contrary to my Cut ’em or Keep ’em & Prediction article, I have changed my tune and do believe that Turner will be back.

Ultimately, the biggest factor in this decision for me is the depth of the unit. If Green Bay really felt the need to bring Kelly back, I don’t see cost being that big of an issue–they’d find a way to make it work. And in regards to Kelly’s play in the playoffs, it was a bad performance at the worst time, but he did an excellent job filling in for Turner during the regular season–so I don’t see that being a big factor in Green Bay’s decision making either.

With Turner, Bakhtiari, Nijman, and eventually a healthy Jenkins, this offensive tackle unit is in very good shape. That doesn’t even take into account 2021 sixth-round pick Cole Van Lanen or any other potential draft pick that Brian Gutekunst may add this offseason.

The Packers would be better off using that roster spot and cap space on another position.