The Green Bay Packers are on the cusp of making the NFL playoffs as a wildcard with the youngest roster in the NFL.
At this point, it’s no secret general manager Brian Gunekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur are turning to youth that can thrive immediately as they turn the tide from the days of Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Davante Adams, Rasul Douglas and a bevy of other longtime veterans they have parted ways with in the last few years.
So far, it’s seemed to work to perfection.
While there are obvious holes on the 2023 Green Bay Packers — particularly on defense — there is more young talent on both sides of the ball then there has been in a long time.
Offensively, it’s been amazing to see Jordan Love thrive in his first season as the starting quarterback, but the Packers drafted well and landed players that could contribute immediately.
Jayden Reed looks to be the next star wide receiver, while Christian Watson has thrived when healthy in his second pro season. Luke Musgrave looks like he can be a top-tier tight end, while Tucker Kraft has stepped up in his absence. The corps of wide receivers may be young, but there’s depth. Players like Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and even Malik Heath have all stepped up when they have had their number called.
It’s been impressive to see, and rare for a NFL team to thrive with such a young roster. Defensively, there are a few players who are aging like De’Vondre Campbell, who likely won’t be back in 2024. At this point, it’s hard to see Jaire Alexander returning either.
The Team will have a decision to make with Preston Smith, who is still producing at a high level with 45 tackles and seven sacks.
According to Over The Cap, Smith’s cap numbers over the next three seasons are $16.51 million, $17.51 million, and $18.21 million, and he turns 31 next month. Releasing Smith in the offseason would only save the Packers $2.52 million, leaving them with a dead cap hit of just under $14 million. However, the important part is that Smith’s contract would come off the books in 2025.
Smith is playing at a high level. The Packers will likely need to move on for financial reasons, but he should have no trouble finding a new team.
But the Green Bay Packers have young defensive players that they have recently drafted that are starting to play at a higher level like Devontae Wyatt isn’t dominant yet, but he has 33 tackles, four sacks a fumble recovery and 3.5 tackles for loss, a major upgrade from his rookie campaign.
Quay Walker has found his groove in his second season out of Georgia and currently leads the team in tackles (103) and recorded an interception he returned for a touchdown earlier this season.
While there will be obvious needs addressed on the Pack defense — and if the fans get their way — a change at defensive coordinator in 2024, the young Green Bay offense is pretty much set.
The only two question marks are veteran running backs AJ Dillon and Aaaron Jones — and at this point — it’s almost inevitable the Packers will move on from one if not both this offseason.
Green Bay Packers Almost Certain To Part Ways With Aaron Jones This Offseason
While Jones has been a productive staple for Green Bay for a long time and entered the 2023 season as one of the Packers most valuable assets on offense, injuries have plagued him throughout the year.
According to the NFL experts at Spotrac, Jones will almost certainly be playing his final games for the Packers over the next two weeks and into the playoffs if Green Bay secures a spot.
It will ultimately come down to a financial situation as the Green Bay Packers look to free up as much cap space as possible to continue to add talented youth to their ascending roster.
As writer Mike Ginnitti put it, “A knee injury diverted an already low-producing 2023, putting Aaron Jones and his $17.7M cap hit on notice this winter. A Pre-June 1 release frees up $5.3M, while the Packers can open up $12M if they push this past June 1st.”
And on the Spotrac podcast, the prediction was even more ominous for Jones, as though the Packers have all but made the decision already
“Aaron Jones from Green Bay it does seem like that’s a foregone conclusion.”
Aaron Jones Has Struggled For Packers Due To Injuries This Season
It will be a tough pill to swallow considering the contributions the dynamic running back has brought to the franchise since arriving as a fifth round pick in 2017.He has three 1,000-yard seasons to his credit, including 1,121 yards last season. He was a Pro Bowler in 2020 and scored a league-high 16 touchdowns in 2019.
