The Green Bay Packers need to address their wide receiver room, among other glaring roster holes. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are nice building blocks, but the only other wide receivers currently on the roster are Samori Toure, Bo Melton, and Jeff Cotton. Regardless of who the quarterback is, Aaron Rodgers, or Jordan Love, that is not an inspiring group of receivers to go into 2023 with. Undoubtedly, the Packers will again take a wide receiver (or two) in the upcoming draft. However, they will likely also look for one in free agency. Jason Katz of Pro Football Network believes they could make a huge splash by signing JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Would the Green Bay Packers Be Able to Sign Free Agent Wide Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster?
Of Smith-Schuester’s possible fit with the Packers, Katz writes:
“At this point in his career, we know who Smith-Schuster is. He can’t be a team’s WR1, but in the right spot, he could be a reliable WR2.
“Smith-Schuster does his best work from the slot. The Packers can roll with their sophomore WR duo on the outside and utilize JuJu in three-receiver sets. He could provide Rodgers (or possibly Jordan Love…but probably not) with a safety valve underneath.
“The Packers have created enough salary cap space to afford a wide receiver. While one of the top WRs available in this free agent class, Smith-Schuster is unlikely to command much more annually than the $10 million he got from the Chiefs last year. The Packers could give him 2-3 years at $10-12 million a year.”
What is interesting here is that Packers free agent wide receiver Allen Lazard is expected to garner a contract of $13 million or more, with many believing that teams will overpay for him. Last season, Smith-Schuster had more receptions than Lazard (78 compared to 60) and receiving yards (933 compared to 788).
Now, that $10-12 million a year number is below what Spotrac has as Smith-Schuster’s market value. They have him set to make $14.6 million per year on a four-year deal worth over $58 million. Given the current situation in Green Bay, it is hard to see the Packers doing that. While signing Smith-Schuster would certainly be nice, I just don’t see it happening.
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