One thing the Green Bay Packers learned this season is that player chemistry is absolutely crucial. Jordan Love made sure that he had the backing of the entire team before the season started. He made sure to get with his receivers and build chemistry with them before training camp began. If you noticed, the word of the day is chemistry. If this hadn’t happened, the Packers would probably not been as successful as they were getting to the NFC Divisional round.
There were plenty of players that got them there and quite a few that will be free agents this offseason. Let’s take a look at the top 3 players the Packers could and should bring back on new contracts.
1. Green Bay Packers Safety Darnell Savage
Safety Darnell Savage was one of the defensive leaders for the Packers and he acted like it in the playoffs. The Packers defender picked off Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and had the chance to do so plenty of times in their battle against the eventual NFC champion San Francisco 49ers.
Savage is coming off his rookie contract so he will look to make significantly more than he was making. However, teams in the National Football League traditionally spend more on their safeties compared to some of their other defense positions. Usually, one might find the middle linebackers and then the safeties to be valued the most by teams (however, it is not always the case).
While there are quite a few unrestricted free agents that are safeties, the Packers cap does not really allow for the Packers to go after them because they will be looking at max contracts, something the Packers cannot afford. With the way that Savage played, the Packers might want to bring him back since he knows the system.
2. Cornerback Keisean Nixon
Cornerback Keisean Nixon was crucial for the Packers in the win over the Cowboys, shutting down the Cowboys’ star receiver Ceedee Lamb enough for the 48-32 win and advancing to the NFC Divisional round. With his contract ending, it only makes sense for to be resigned. He plays a pivotal role for the Packers as not only a cornerback, but also as a kick returner.
While the Packers special teams haven’t been great in the past few years, kick returning hasn’t been the reason they were losing games. Nelson is a good signing and keeps up the chemistry in the secondary as someone who started this season in the playoffs.
3. Offensive Guard Jon Runyan
Jon Runyan is a huge piece of Jordan Love’s offensive and keeping any would-be sackers off his quarterback. The 26-year old Runyan is another player coming off his rookie contract and is an important piece to keep on the new Packers’ franchise quarterback offensive line. It would not be surprising to see him get the kitchen sink tossed at him to stay in Green Bay after such a successful season.
Runyan should be back in a Packers uniform for many years to come after not allowing a single sack per NFL.com in all of 2023. He has also been super consistent for the Packers, playing in all 67 games since he was drafted and starting 50 straight.
Honorable Mention: Running Back AJ Dillon
AJ Dillon is an honorable mention here and that is depending on a few factors that can change at the running back position. Firstly, if the Packers decide to move on from Aaron Jones, it will save them a lot of money in cap space. However, the more likely scenario is the Packers will keep Jones due to his production this season. He produced significantly more than Dillon who got all the carries during Jones’ injury.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Jones is the lead back and the Packers go out and draft a new running back to run in tandem to Aaron Jones who provides a veteran leadership. A Blake Corum-type running back would pair nicely alongside Jones.
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