The Green Bay Packers still have an Aaron Rodgers problem on their hands, but they have seemingly solved their salary cap issues and may actually be able to make some worthwhile moves in 2023 NFL free agency.
Entering the offseason, the Green Bay Packers were $22 million over the NFL salary cap. It was a difficult position to be in after a disappointing result in 2022. However, in the weeks since the team saw their season end in a Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions, the organization has made major headway in freeing up cap space.
Over the last month, the Packers have reportedly restructured the contracts of Aaron Jones, Jaire Alexander, Preston Smith, and most recently Kenny Clark. The reworked contracts have now given the team as much as $17 million in cap space.
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On Wednesday, Packers News speculated that three-time Pro Bowler David Bakhtiari could be the next player to see major adjustments to his current deal, and a restructuring could bring the Green Bay Packers’ cap space to $29 million ahead of the start of NFL free agency on March 15.
With that all in mind, let’s take a look at five impact players the Green Bay Packers could target with their limited budget on the open market.
Allen Lazard
In his fifth season with the Green Bay Packers, Allen Lazard had a career year as he elevated his game to be Rodgers’ top receiver in 2022. Obviously, his 788 yards in 15 games don’t jump off the page, but the undrafted talent from Iowa State has gotten better every single year in the league and is a talent that is trending upwards.
While he is not a superstar, the impending free agent needs to be re-signed, and there is little doubt that the Pack made the room they now have under the cap so that they can keep the 27-year-old long-term.
Jakobi Meyers
If they re-sign Lazard or lose him in NFL free agency, New England Patriots receiver Jakobi Meyers is another player they should target on the open market. Meyers is another undrafted talent that has consistently gotten better each season in the league. There could be a lot of competition for his services in free agency, but a possible Lazard and Meyers duo for Rodgers, or Jordan Love, next season would be a very solid starting point for their 2023 receiving corps.
Jadeveon Clowney
Jadeveon Clowney’s days in Cleveland are numbered and for a team in need of pass rush upgrades and looking to go discount shopping, he should be under consideration for the Green Bay Packers. He only posted two sacks in 12 games last season, however, the 30-year-old had nine sacks in 2021, and might be a worthwhile risk on a team-friendly contract in 2023.
Mike Gesicki
If the Packers are looking for pass-catching options without shelling out big bucks to sign two of the best receivers on the market in Lazard and Meyers, the team could kick the tires on free-agent tight end Mike Gesicki.
The five-year veteran had a down season in 2022 under new head coach Mike McDaniel. However, before the switch in coaching, the 27-year-old was seen as a player on the rise with big potential. Shelling out some of their limited funds to diversify their targets might be a smart move for Green Bay this month.
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Robert Quinn
If the Green Bay Packers wanted to make a bigger splash on the EDGE rushing market NFL free agency market, Rams and Bears veteran Robert Quinn could be a player to target. While he played in just 13 games for the Bears and Eagles this season and only managed one sack, he is only two years removed from an 18.5 sack performance.
The team needs a boost on the defensive line and while Quinn is getting long in the tooth at 32, a three-year deal to hopefully squeeze out the last bit of elite play he has left in him might be a savvy move for the Green Bay Packers in free agency.