4 free agents Packers shouldn’t re-sign this offseason
The NFL, above all else, is a business. The Green Bay Packers and every other team would love to retain their own players year after year, but that’s not realistic. There are guys they must let go.
That’s the case once again this offseason, as the Packers won’t, nor shouldn’t, bring back everyone. They have 17 free agents, including three restricted and 14 unrestricted. The unrestricted players are free to sign with any team once free agency opens up in March.
Green Bay’s free agents are in all three phases of the game–offense, defense, and special teams. We’ve already covered which ones they should bring back (click on the respective links above). Now, here are the ones they should let walk.
The Green Bay Packers need to make some difficult decisions this offseason, including neglecting to re-sign these four free agents.
Free agents Packers shouldn’t re-sign: Allen Lazard
Lazard embodies everything the Packers’ organization believes in. He worked his way up from the practice squad, proved himself as deserving of being on the 53-man roster, and then earned his job as the team’s no. 1 wide receiver in 2022.
Unfortunately, he wants to get paid closer to a true no. 1 when he probably best functions as a no. 2 or no. 3. That evaluation leads Spotrac to put his market value at three years and $37.5 million (an average of $12.5 million) for his next contract. That’s too pricey for the Packers, who should focus their attention on developing the guys they have and trying to find a true top wideout.
Free agents Packers shouldn’t re-sign: Randall Cobb
Cobb returned for his second stint in Green Bay when Aaron Rodgers and the front office were going through their peace negotiations. He’s washed at this point in his career, unfortunately, and shouldn’t be brought back for football reasons.
Free agents Packers shouldn’t re-sign: Dean Lowry
The Packers’ defensive line improved after Lowry went down with a season-ending injury last year. They used a first-round pick on Devonte Wyatt, preparing him to step into this role. TJ Slaton is also ready for an expanded role. Lowry had a decent run in Green Bay, but it’s time to let him go.
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Free agents Packers shouldn’t re-sign: Robert Tonyan
The Packers’ tight end position is in flux, but that doesn’t mean they should opt to maintain the status quo. Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis are free agents, leaving them very thin at the position. Tonyan returned from a torn ACL he suffered in 2021, but didn’t look like the same explosive player we saw in his breakout 2020 campaign. In fact, 2020 is really the only year we’ve seen that explosion. He might be a one-year wonder with a significant injury history.