Spotrac Projects Contracts for 5 Key Green Bay Packers Free Agents
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers Free Agent: Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Spotrac Market Value Projection: $8.7 million per year on a 3-year deal
As I often mention, when looking at any stat or individual play or really anything in football, there are always many factors in play. But when we discuss how the 2021 Green Bay Packers offense didn’t generate nearly as many big plays as they did in 2020, a key contributor is that they were without Marquez Valdes-Scantling for seven games.
The loss to San Francisco in the playoffs is a terrific example of how MVS’ presence was missed. The Niners didn’t fear the big play and played closer to the line of scrimmage, which condensed the field and made moving the ball through the air more difficult.
In addition to the obvious big-play ability that MVS brings to this offense, he also helps create for others with the attention that he draws, and he creates space as well–which opens up the passing game.
All offseason I’ve been of the mindset that out of MVS, Allen Lazard, and Davante Adams, two of those three will return to Green Bay. At the moment, I have MVS as the odd man out, and that was before seeing that he could earn nearly $9 million per year, which I do believe will be out of the Packers’ price range.
If that ends up being the case, then whether it be through free agency or the draft, the Green Bay Packers need to add that downfield element to their offense for the 2022 season–it’s too important of a role to overlook.