The Green Bay Packers offseason has taken a turn over the past few days.
With more questions than answers arising, what moves might we see the team make throughout the rest of OTAs?
The Big Question
Unfortunately for the Packers, what was once a quiet offseason got flipped on its head this past week.
Starting running back Josh Jacobs was arrested on charges related to domestic violence, and although nothing is formal yet, things don’t look good.
If guilty, Jacobs should absolutely be condemned and help accountable for his alleged actions, and until that is sorted out, we should err on the side of the victim.
Given that the Green Bay Packers are not an organization that tends to tolerate any sort of offense, I wouldn’t be surprised if big changes are coming.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the running back position in Green Bay, emphasizing that it was the next domino to fall.
I didn’t expect things to move this swiftly.
In fact, a situation like this is exactly why I believe that the Packers were too hasty to move on from Emanuel Wilson this offseason.
Although it’s unclear whether Wilson could’ve been a long-term starter, he certainly would’ve been a better contingency plan than MarShawn Lloyd.
I have high hopes that Lloyd will be able to stay healthy, but he’s the definition of unproven, and right now, that’s not something the Packers can afford.
At the very least, Jacobs will be looking at a suspension, and at worst, a release.
Following the completion of some of the Packers’ other recent moves, things will need to come together quickly.
Post June 1st
The calendar has officially switched over to June, and for the Green Bay Packers, that will soon mark the completion of two previously announced transactions.
Both cornerback Nate Hobbs and kickers Brandon McManus’ contracts will come off the Packers’ pay roll tomorrow, creating just over nine million dollars in cap space.
While the team likely had plans to use that money for in-house extensions, most notably Tucker Kraft and Christian Watson, the Packers’ new offseason circumstances may result in a chunk of that money being re-allocated.
Should the team choose to move on from Josh Jacobs, they’ll likely need to add another back via free agency or trade, as MarShawn Lloyd can’t yet be relied upon.
The post-June 1st releases give the Packers more opportunity to do that, but there may be a bigger move coming first.
Another Splash Move?
In terms of using their newly found cap space, the Packers may also have another interesting option.
Rumors have been swirling in the past few weeks regarding Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat, with Sweat allegedly wanting out.
The Packers reportedly have interest, and it may be a move that Green Bay seriously needs to consider.
Just this morning, it was announced that the Los Angeles Rams have completed a trade package for former Cleveland Brown, Myles Garrett.
His addition will likely make the Rams Super Bowl favorites, and the rest of the conference will need to do its best to keep up.
Although adding Sweat would be a serious cap commitment, costing nearly eleven million dollars all-in, the trade capital required to acquire him could be much lower than expected.
According to Bill Huber at Packers on SI, the Cardinals could accept as little as a fifth-round pick for Sweat, due to his contract, age, and future availability concerns.
If the league executive that spoke with Huber is right, that seems like a no brainer, especially in the Packers’ current window.
Sweat has previous ties to new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, and in the early absence of Micah Parsons, he could get the defense on the ground running.
As of this morning, Easton Butler reported that a deal could be imminent, and at the very least, the Green Bay Packers need to drive up the price tag.
Allowing another team like the Eagles to add Sweat on the cheap could be a huge mistake.
