The Green Bay Packers are in the midst of a dream season. Playing in the NFC divisional round was probably not something many Packers fans saw coming at the beginning of the season.
Regardless of what happens on Saturday, this season was obviously a huge success. The end of the season will also signify the end of the road for a few key Packers players. If Green Bay loses on Saturday, it might be the last time we see these Packers.
1. Preston Smith
Smith has been one of the most productive linebackers in Green Bay since signing with the team in 2019. He has thrived both as a pass rusher and run defender. Even though he is still playing at a high level as a starter, Smith may be too expensive for the Packers.
Moving on from the 31-year-old while he still has trade value makes sense. Similar to how they moved on from Za-Darius Smith when he crossed to the wrong side of the age curve, the Packers could open up playing time for their promising young pass rushers like Lukas Van Ness and Kingsley Enagbare.
2. De'Vondre Campbell
Along with Preston Smith and David Bakhtiari, Campbell seems like one of the most obvious candidates to not be on the team next season.
The Packers can clear more than $10.7 million in cap space if they cut Campbell even though they would be responsible for dead money over the next few seasons because of the massive five-year, $50 million extension he signed with the Packers in 2021.
Even though the All-Pro linebacker's time in Green Bay was initially a success, it's hard to argue that he lived up to that contract.
He was phenomenal in 2021 and still looked great in 2022, but the 2023 season was his worst since joining the team. He had just 75 tackles in 11 games (down from 146 in 2021 and 96 in 2022) and Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 65.3 (down from 84.7 in 2021 and 75.6 in 2022)
He's not all that old, turning 31 in July, but it seems like his career is already past its peak and is on the decline.
Now that Quay Walker has surpassed him in the pecking order and Isaiah McDuffie held his own when he had the chance, it will be difficult to justify keeping Campbell around for that price.
3. AJ Dillon
Even though Dillon had plenty of opportunities in his four years in Green Bay, A.J. Dillon failed to establish himself as more than a complementary back.
There were hopes of Dillon eventually taking over Aaron Jones' role but we have seen no indication that anyone in the rusher rotation is capable of doing so. It would not be surprising to see the Packers clean house in the running back department.
Despite showing flashes with a handful of big games, Dillon has only put up about 3200 yards from scrimmage over his first four NFL seasons, and 2023 was maybe his worst year yet.
His rushing yards per carry fell to a career-low 3.4. Sometimes you can blame play calling or offensive line struggles for that, but considering Aaron jones averaged 4.6 and Patrick Taylor averaged 4.4, it's hard to excuse Dillon's inefficiency.
Dillon could be worth keeping around if he signs for a one-year, cheap, "prove-it" deal but there will likely be higher-upside choices for the Packers in the offseason.
4. Darnell Savage
Savage hasn't exactly fulfilled the promise he showed in the first two seasons of his career as a Packer, but he is still one of the most impactful defenders on the team. As one of the leaders of the Packers' secondary, Savage was excellent in the win over the Dallas Cowboys in the wild-card game.
However, Green Bay is facing salary cap challenges and Savage is going to be a free agent. There is a decent chance Savage will be out of the price range for the Packers as they opt for more affordable options at safety, like their 2023 pick Anthony Johnson Jr.
5. Jon Runyan Jr.
Runyan Jr. is another Packer starter the team may lose in free agency. He has been a solid offensive guard since he was drafted by Green Bay in 2020, but he is not a difference-maker.
If the Packers want to take the next step next year and make a deep postseason run, they will need upgrades in multiple positions. Giving out multi-year deals to average starters is not the best way to build Super Bowl-caliber teams. It wouldn't be too difficult for the Packers to find a more affordable guard without sacrificing talent.
The Packers are +9.5 point underdogs against the 49ers on Saturday. Will they continue their Cinderella story or will it be the last time we see these players in a Packers uniform? Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and take advantage of their sign-up bonus that gives $150 in bonus bets when you deposit $10 and bet $5 on the game, regardless of the outcome of your bet.
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