The Green Bay Packers are losing a lot with Aaron Rodgers leaving
The Green Bay Packers are finalizing a trade to send Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. Because of Rodgers’ contract and relationships, his absence will trigger other free agency exits for the Packers this offseason. The Packers have seen a few pass catchers and pass rushers sign with teams that have ample cash in 2023. One NFL analyst suggests Rodgers isn’t the biggest loss for the Packers this offseason.
Brad Spielberger with Pro Football Focus wrote a piece on each NFL team’s biggest loss during free agency. Spielberger thinks the Packers’ biggest loss is in the tight end room as Robert Tonyan signed with the Chicago Bears, and Marcedes Lewis isn’t expected to return to Green Bay:
“We’re still in a holding pattern with the pending trade of Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, but the expectation is the ageless wonder Marcedes Lewis would follow him. Over the past three seasons, Lewis’ 75.9 run-blocking grade ranks fourth among tight ends, and he’s shown few signs of slowing down entering his age-39 season in 2023, which would be his 18th.
Tonyan joined his hometown Chicago Bears coming off a season in which he put up a career-high 53 receptions, and his 1.6% drop rate over the past three seasons is the top mark among tight ends. Neither tight end is a game-changing weapon, but both are very solid within their roles.”
Tonyan and Lewis are big losses for quarterback Jordan Love. But one has to remember the reason why they, Allen Lazard, and likely Randall Cobb, are leaving this offseason. Rodgers going to New York. Even if it’s the Packers’ right decision for the future, their biggest loss is ultimately Rodgers because he’s the reason the rebuild roster will be in place for the 2023 season.
The Packers can address the tight end position in the draft
The Packers might miss Tonyan and Lewis’ experience this season, but they’ll have options in the draft. The Packers will have the chance to draft their replacements. Georgia tight end Darnell Washington could fill the role of a dominant blocker like Lewis.
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Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer or Utah’s Dalton Kincaid would be a replacement options for Tonyan. All three of those tight ends would end up being upgrades for the Packers in the long run.
