Packers Have Some Really Tough Decisions Looming On Offense

This is an interesting position for sure. Emmanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks are both restricted free agents and could be lost due to cost. MarShawn Lloyd has been oft-injured but is still under contract, and if he can get healthy, he could be really good.

Josh Jacobs is the one truly in question — at least a little bit. Based on his contract, this is the first year the Packers could get out of it. I doubt they do, but releasing him would save $8.3 million against the cap. Once again, I don’t think it happens, but if Green Bay feels his best football is behind him, they could move on.

Wide Receiver

Another interesting one. The Packers are likely losing Romeo Doubs to free agency and could also lose Bo Melton (who also contributes at corner), an exclusive rights free agent. That leaves Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Savion Williams, and Dontayvion Wicks.

What makes this group so interesting is that Green Bay is likely going to extend Watson. The question becomes: will they also extend Reed? He’s under contract for another year but is eligible for an extension now. The same goes for Wicks. I’d expect the Packers to only extend one of those two. Wicks would be cheaper, so if Green Bay wants to get ahead of things, Reed could become a trade candidate — especially if contract talks stall.

Packers Offensive Line and Tight End

Tucker Kraft should be back by the start of the season, though it’ll be close. If there’s a real question at tight end, it’s Luke Musgrave. He hasn’t lived up to his draft position and has clearly fallen behind Kraft. A change of scenery could be good for both Musgrave and the Packers.

Green Bay will most likely extend Kraft and move on from Musgrave. Because of this, Musgrave could be a trade candidate. That said, I doubt it happens simply because of Kraft’s injury history. I would, however, fully expect the Packers to draft a tight end.

On the offensive line, this is easily the position with the most changes coming. Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan are unrestricted free agents. Elgton Jenkins, with his massive cap hit, will likely be let go to save around $20 million in the salary cap. I’d actually expect him to leave.

The other potential cut candidate is Aaron Banks, who carries a $24.8 million cap hit. I doubt Green Bay moves on from Banks. There are simply too many changes already coming to the offensive line for the Packers to move on from him after just one year.

So, Who is Mostly Likely Not Back to the Packers?

Out of the offensive group, Elgton Jenkins is the most likely to not return. Every year, there’s at least one high-profile Packers player who is let go. Over the past couple of seasons, Green Bay has either traded or released players who were huge contributors. Aaron Jones, Jaire Alexander, and Kenny Clark are just a few examples.

Jenkins will likely be next.

But he won’t be the only one this offseason.

More on that when we dive into the defensive side of the ball next week.

Go Pack Go!