Packers 2023 offseason to-do list: Difficult decisions ahead
The Green Bay Packers will have some franchise-altering decisions to make this offseason, as their to-do list presents some very difficult choices.
It all begins with Aaron Rodgers. First, he must decide if he’s going to return. He’s talked about not wanting to hold the franchise hostage and that he’ll make his decision quickly. We don’t know what that timeline looks like, but he’s open to playing elsewhere if he doesn’t retire this offseason.
If he does return, Green Bay will have to decide between him or Jordan Love. That will set the fundamental stage for their offseason and will have a domino effect on how they approach the rest of their decisions. It’s an unavoidable crossroads since they drafted Love in the first round four years ago.
The Green Bay Packers have multiple franchise-altering decisions to make this offseason, creating a long checklist of moves.
Hopefully, Rodgers will make his decision before Green Bay has to get into legal standing with the salary cap. They’re about $16 million above it right now, but will need to clear even more space if they want some operating room for draft picks and other players.
They’ve continued to kick the can down the road regarding the cap, but still have some tools at their disposal. They can restructure several veterans including Kenny Clark, Jaire Alexander, Aaron Jones, David Bakhtiari, Preston Smith, Rasul Douglas and De’Vondre Campbell. That could clear about $47.7 million if they touch all those contracts.
The Packers must then make tough choices about veterans who have been with the team for a long time. The wide receiver and tight end positions have some major free agents that will determine if Green Bay is going into full rebuild mode or if they’re trying to run it back again.
Special teams will also need to be addressed. Green Bay made some positive strides under first-year coordinator Rich Bisaccia, but have several key players entering free agency. Return man Keisean Nixon is the biggest headliner, but Rudy Ford, Eric Wilson and Dallin Leavitt are also key contributors.
After most of the free agency stuff is dealt with, Green Bay will turn its attention to the draft. They have the 15th overall selection and should have ten picks to work with once the compensation picks are handed out.
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Here’s the full checklist:
- Keep or trade Aaron Rodgers
- Anoint Jordan Love as starter
- Get into legal standing with salary cap
- Clear at least $16 million in cap space
- Restructure veteran contracts
- Kenny Clark
- Jaire Alexander
- Aaron Jones
- David Bakhtiari
- Preston Smith
- Rasul Douglas
- De’Vondre Campbell
- Address free agents
- Yosh Nijman (restricted)
- Adrian Amos
- Randall Cobb
- Allen Lazard
- Marcedes Lewis
- Dean Lowry
- Jarran Reed
- Robert Tonyan
- Krys Barnes (restricted)
- Justin Hollins
- Address special teams free agents
- Mason Crosby
- Rudy Ford
- Eric Wilson
- Dallin Leavitt
- Keisean Nixon
- 2023 NFL Draft
- 15th overall selection
- Will likely have 10 total picks