The Green Bay Packers offseason is, sadly, in full swing and I believe that it is important to be aware of the offseason‘s important dates. And so, that’s what I plan to do today. I’m going to go over the important dates of the offseason and why they are important for the Packers.
So, let’s not waste any time and get started:
Packers First Important Date Has Already Passed
The Packers first important date has passed already without much fanfare. Don’t worry, you didn’t miss anything! The date in question was January 6th. This was the first day that clubs could extend players who were drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. This date was also the first day that teams could apply the fifth-year option to first round picks of the 2022 NFL Draft.
How is this important for Green Bay? Well, Brian Gutekunst has to decide whether or not he wants to apply the fifth-year option to not just one player, but two. This is because in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Packers drafted Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt in the first round. Both players have improved during this last season. However, Gutey will need to decide if they are worth a fully guaranteed fifth year. Maybe a similar prove-it extension like what Jordan Love received might be better for the two sides in each case here. There’s no hurry just yet as the deadline to decide fifth-year options is the first of May.
Zach Tom
Because January 6th was the first day that teams are able to extend players drafted in the 2022 draft, I would expect that the Packers have already begun negotiating with Zach Tom and his agent on giving him an extension. I’m assuming that he will get paid! So watch for that this offseason.
Senior Bowl and the Packers
Green Bay loves the Senior Bowl! Since Brian Gutekunst took over, the Packers have drafted or signed 47 players who have attended the Senior Bowl per Zach Kruse of Packers Wire. Last year alone they drafted eight players who attended the Senior Bowl.
So, the Senior Bowl and more specifically, the practices, are super important to Green Bay. It’s probably even more important this year as Jason Vrable, the Packers wide receiver coach and passing game coordinator, will be the offensive coordinator for the National team.
So, more than likely, the Packers will draft at least a couple of guys who are playing in the Senior Bowl. You might want to check it out! You could be seeing the future of the Green Bay Packers.
The Senior Bowl practices are this week and the game will be played on the first of February.
Oh, and following this up is the NFL Combine on February 24th – March 3rd , however, in my humble opinion, the Senior Bowl is more important for the Packers with regards to scouting players.
The Start of the New League Year
March 10th is the beginning of the negotiation period for unrestricted free agents. This is the unofficial start to free agency while the real thing begins when the NFL League Year begins on March 12th at 4PM Eastern Time, 3PM Central. Oh – and trades are permitted at this time as well.
The Packers aren’t normally known for their use of unrestricted free agents, but last year they made two big splashes when they signed Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney. This year, they could continue to make splashes in free agency as they have some cap room to play around with now that they are out from Aaron Rodger’s cap hit. Don’t get too excited! Many people are sharing that the Packers have over 60 million in cap space but really it is much smaller than that.
April!
Of course, the thing we have all been waiting for this offseason! You know what I’m talking about! The day that the Packers can begin offseason training! You know, April 21st? Oh! You thought I was talking about the other thing in April.
Your Green Bay Packers are hosting the NFL Draft, April 24th-April 26th!
After the draft, things will begin to slow down. We’ll have the NFL schedule release in May. Last year, it was on May 15th so if it’s on a similar date, then it could be on May 14th, but I’m not entirely sure about that date.
June, there will be a minicamp in there somewhere and then mid-to-late July, Packers training camp will start.
Then preseason games! And then the regular season will be upon us, in which the Packers will take on the Chicago Bears!
Just a guess.
I miss it already.
Go Pack Go!
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Damon is a diehard, fully-immersed cheesehead who currently lives in southern Missouri. He teaches at a local high school and has a family YouTube channel about all things Packers. You can follow him on twitter at @packersfamily and on YouTube at The Packers Family.
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