Over the next several weeks, I will analyze each of the Packers’ unrestricted free agents by revisiting their 2021 seasons, assessing why they should or should not be re-signed, projecting possible contract terms, and making a prediction on whether or not the player will return in 2022.
Next up in the series, Dennis Kelly went from a seldom-used benchwarmer for most of the season to a starter in the playoffs. He played 361 mostly solid snaps in five-and-a-half games. Will the veteran tackle be rewarded with a new contract?
Season In Review
Despite starting all 16 games for the Titans in 2020, Kelly remained on the street until the Packers signed him to a one-year deal worth $1.3 million in late July. That inexpensive insurance policy paid off after the team’s top three tackles were all out with knee injuries in December. Kelly stepped in at right tackle for Billy Turner and the offense didn’t miss a beat. The massive former Purdue star moved defenders in the run game, and despite slowish feet, kept some good edge rushers at bay. He didn’t have his best day versus the 49ers in the playoffs, but he was never dominated by Nick Bosa.
Why Packers Should Re-sign Him
Rehabbing Elgton Jenkins probably won’t be back until at least early October, and while everybody feels confident about David Bakhtiari, there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to make it back from the knee injury that sidelined him for all but 27 snaps last season. So why not renew the Kelly insurance policy for another year? It won’t cost much to re-sign him, and he could always be released or traded at the end of training camp. There’s not much downside to keeping him around.
Why Packers Should Let Him Walk
Kelly is strictly a right tackle, so he’s not the versatile backup offensive lineman the team prefers. Assuming Bakhtiari and Turner are the starters, 26-year-old Yosh Nijman could be the No. 3 tackle. He played at least as well as Kelly last season and obviously has more upside. He’d also be cheaper, and every dollar counts for a team that’s currently $30 million over the cap. If general manager Brian Gutekunst keeps a fourth tackle, he’d probably prefer it to be a draft pick.
What A Contract Might Look Like
$2.25 million/1 year ($1M guaranteed)
Prediction
General manager Brian Gutekunst signed a thirtysomething offensive tackle in each of the past two offseasons, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him add a veteran at some point in the next few months but it probably won’t be Kelly. He’ll look for a place to at least compete for a starting job, and unless Turner is cut, that won’t be an option in Green Bay.
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