The Green Bay Packers have many tough roster decisions to make. By now, it is common knowledge that the Packers need to shed over $50 million of salary in order to just get under the salary cap in 2022. As reported earlier, it appears that Za’Darius Smith will be one of those let go, as he has wiped the Packers away from all of his social media accounts. However, there does appear to be some sort of plan that will allow the Packers to retain many of their key contributors and sign necessary free agents. After all, the team has already been reported as willing to pay Aaron Rodgers $45 million per year on a new contract while also using the franchise tag on Davante Adams. That all being said, with whatever funds Green Bay is able to free up, it is important for the team to look at an upgrade at the safety position. Adrian Amos has been one of the best safeties in the NFL for the past three seasons, but Darnell Savage has struggled. For this reason, Tyrann Mathieu should be a free agent target of the Green Bay Packers.
The Struggles of Darnell Savage
When the Green Bay Packers selected Darnell Savage and Rashan Gary in the 2019 NFL Draft, many felt that Savage would be the better of the two. However, it has been Gary who has become on of the best edge rushers in the league. Savage, on the other hand, took many steps backwards in 2021.
In 2021, Darnell Savage had two interceptions, 63 total tackles, and nine passes defended. On the surface, those do not look like bad numbers. However, Savage gave up a passer rating of 117.4 when targeted, among one of the worst in the league. He also gave up a career worst 64.9% completion percentage. As if these numbers were not bad enough, he had a 13.7% missed tackle percentage and gave up eight touchdowns when targeted.
To be clear, this is not a call for the release of Darnell Savage. However, he was handed the starting duties from Day One of his NFL career. Perhaps it is time for the Packers to bring in some competition for the second starting safety spot. Savage has shown flashes of being a good ball hawk in the NFL. However, he also regressed in his third season instead of building upon a strong second year.
Tyrann Mathieu as a Potential Replacement
To replace Savage in the starting lineup, the Green Bay Packers may look at Tyrann Mathieu. Now, this potential free agent would come at a cost, as Mathieu is one of the best safeties in the NFL. In other words, he will not be cheap. The Packers, as mentioned, have much work to do to get under the salary cap in 2022. However, they have a plan, and they are not rebuilding. Perhaps there will be room to sign a free agent of Mathieu’s caliber.
Tyrann Mathieu is a two-time Pro Bowl safety and a two-time All Pro. In 2021, Mathieu had three interceptions, 76 tackles, and six passes defended. He also recovered three fumbles. Mathieu did have a worse completion percentage than Savage. He gave up 69.2% of passes compared to Savage’s 64.9%. However, Mathieu only allowed a passer rating of 88.1 and had a missed tackle percentage of 9.5%. Perhaps most importantly, he only gave up three touchdowns when targeted. As mentioned earlier, Savage gave up eight.
What Would It Cost to Sing Mathieu?
According to Spotrac, the market value for Tyrann Mathieu is around $14.8 million per season. A three-year deal with this number in mind would be worth about $44.6 million. To make this salary work, the Packers could sign Mathieu to a deal that kicks a large portion of the salary down the road. The NFL’s salary cap is expected to be much higher in 2023 and 2024, making such a contract easier to offer now.
Is it likely that the Packers make an offer to Mathieu? Perhaps not. However, the team needs an upgrade at the safety position, whether it is Mathieu or someone else.
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