The Green Bay Packers made the decision to move on from most of the seasoned veteran players after a disappointing 2022 season ended with them missing the playoffs. This meant that popular fan-favorites like Aaron Rodgers, Mason Crosby, Randall Cobb, and Marcedes Lewis were not brought back. Instead, the team opted to go with younger players to both compete and build for the future.
Among other veterans that were allowed to leave were safety Adrian Amos and defensive lineman Dean Lowry. Amos signed as a free agent with the New York Jets while Lowry signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
While most the players listed departed in free agency (Rodgers, of course, was traded), there was one other veteran not listed who seemed like he was on the path to returning to the team: punter Pat O’Donnell.
The Philadelphia Eagles May Be Eyeing former Green Bay Packers Punter Pat O’Donnell
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O’Donnell was retained by the Packers all offseason and up through the last preseason game. However, when the rosters had to be cut to 53, he was waived. The team actually waived him a day earlier than they had to, presumably to give him a head start on finding a new team. The Packers, instead, have decided punting and field goal holding duties will be handled by Daniel Whelan.
For O’Donnell, a new team has not yet come along, though the reigning NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles may have some interest. Isaiah DeAnda Delgado, who covers the Eagles for Sports Illustrated, wrote:
“If the Eagles really want to improve their team across the board this offseason, it won’t cost much. They can go dumpster diving through the Packers’ trash and sign O’Donnell. A quality punter who could help contribute toward a Super Bowl win in February would certainly help heal the special teams wounds from a season ago.”
Packers fans know well how much a punter can affect special teams performance, and, therefore, how they can affect the outcome of a game. The fact of the matter is that O’Donnell is a solid punter. Whelan is just younger and cheaper.
If the Eagles were to take a chance on O’Donnell, they would not be disappointed with what he brings to the team.
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