Quarterback Aaron Rodgers hasn’t been traded yet, and free agency doesn’t officially start until Wednesday, but it’s still been a busy past 24 hours for the Packers as one key player stayed and another left. The following is an instant analysis:
🏈ALLEN LAZARD ON HIS WAY TO NEW YORK
The Packers poached Allen Lazard off Jacksonville’s practice squad on December 18, 2018. Four-plus seasons and 169 catches later, the former Iowa State standout signed a four-year contract with the Jets on Tuesday worth at least $40 million. Lazard was never skilled enough to be the No. 1 or 2 receiver in Green Bay, but he’ll be a nice complimentary piece in New York, where he’ll likely reunite with Rodgers. As for Green Bay, this move should force general manager Brian Gutekunst to acquire a veteran receiver either via trade or free agency. If he makes the correct choice – i.e., not another Sammy Watkins – he might be able to upgrade from the hard-working but physically limited Lazard. Perhaps that player will be Corey Davis of the Jets, who spent a season with Matt LaFleur in Tennessee and now figures to be expendable?
🏈KEISEAN NIXON RETURNS TO GREEN BAY
The Packers retained their most important free agent on Monday. All-Pro returner and reserve cornerback Keisean Nixon agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million only hours after the legal tampering period began. The money is about right for an elite returner, but it’ll be very interesting to see the specifics of the contract. Ideally, the cap hit won’t be above $3M. As good as Nixon was last season, it wouldn’t be prudent for Gutekunst to spend too much of his limited cap space on a player whose greatest skill can be negated by a kicker with a strong leg. While the length of the deal allows the former South Carolina star to hit the open market again next March, it never made sense to offer more than a year or two to a player who’s returned only 41 kicks and 11 punts in his entire professional career. Besides, if Nixon continues to excel, it’s very likely the sides will hammer out a long-term extension at some point in 2023.
🏈DECISIONS DUE ON RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
The new league year begins Wednesday, so Gutekunst has about 24 hours to decide which, if any, tenders to place on restricted free agents Yosh Nijman, Krys Barnes, and Tyler Davis. The guess here is that Nijman will receive a second-round tender worth $4.3 million. That’s a reasonable number whether the 27-year-old is a starter at right tackle or a backup next season. As for the other two players, it’s difficult to imagine Barnes and Davis being tendered. Neither is worth $2.6M, although Barnes could be re-signed if he’s still available later in the spring. The former UCLA standout has proven to be a decent starter in the past, but the Packers are suddenly very deep at inside linebacker. De’Vondre Campbell was named an All-Pro in 2021, and Quay Walker made the All-Rookie team last season. Davis moves pretty well, tries hard as a run blocker, and contributes on special teams, but tight ends with similar skill sets are a dime a dozen.
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I’ve always liked Barnes. Seems like he could be a solid MLB in the right situation. Of course, is that worth $2.6? Perhaps not.
The way tackles were flying off the board early on you’d think someone would be interested in Yosh for a 2nd. That might be a win-win for GB, who could then start Tom at RT and get a 2nd rounder.