The last few seasons as Packers fans have felt like equal parts “this team is good enough to win it all” and “if they don’t win it all, the window could be closed next year”
Make no mistake, the window is closing quickly. At least with QB Aaron Rodgers at the helm.
The 2022 Packers squad once again looks poised for greatness, but whether they win it all or not, the 2023 roster could look markedly different.
Will he stay or will he go
Much ink has been spilled about the Aaron Rodgers melodrama over the past two seasons, so I’ll try and keep it brief.
Although Rodgers inked a new 4 year, $200 million extension in March, he’s frequently sounded like a guy who won’t see the end of that deal.
The tone of Rodgers these days leads this fan to believe that if the Packers do win it all this season, he’d possibly ride off into the sunset.
Conversely, if the Packers lose a playoff heartbreaker or make an early round exit Rodgers may decide that reaching the highest peak once was good enough for him.
I don’t think it’s super likely, but it’s possible that this could be Rodgers last season.
But how many years did we say that about #4?
I think that Aaron Rodgers will be under center for 2023, but beyond that is anyone’s guess.
Key Free Agents
Elgton Jenkins is the next man in line to earn a mega deal, and earn it he certainly has.
Muddying the waters just a bit is Jenkins recovery from an ACL tear that he suffered against the Vikings last season.
ACL injuries are part of the game, but it will be interesting to see how the Packers proceed after handing out one of the richest offensive line contracts in history to David Bakhtiari only to have him blowout his knee and still be on the mend.
I have a hard time believing that Packers will let someone as versatile and talented as Jenkins get away, but is there a possibility the Packers could look to move on from David Bakhtiari?
I’m guessing at this point Rodgers and Bakhtiari are a packaged deal, but we know Elgton Jenkins is going to get top of market money and can play left tackle…
Allen Lazard is another potentially key piece that is set to be an unrestricted free agent at seasons end.
2022 could be a make-or-break year for Lazard as it presumably sets up for him to be the top target for Aaron Rodgers, and potentially make him a lot of money in the process.
Lazard is a player I could see the Packers moving on from. If he performs at a pro-bowl level in 2022, he’ll likely price himself out of Green Bay. If he underperforms, the Packers could choose to look outside the organization for more help or role with their young guns.
I think it’s 50/50 whether Allen Lazard is donning green & gold come week 1 of 2023.
Adrian Amos is another player that is due a hefty raise and will be a UFA at the end of the year.
Amos has been a stalwart in the back end of the Packers secondary for the entirety of his time in Green Bay. Not a flashy player, but always in the correct position and catches the balls thrown his way.
While I would love to see Amos back on a short term deal in Green Bay, he’s staring down the barrel at age 30 and the Packers front office have been hesitant to commit prime dollars to players entering the twilight of their career.
You can follow Adam on twitter at @adamjcarlson28.
——————
