The NFL has announced that the salary cap will go up next season. Unfortunately, the Green Bay Packers have kicked so much money down the road in the past that they need find a way to clear $60 million off their books before the 2022 season begins. This means that there will be some very good and popular players that will not return next season. There are, however, five players that the Packers must extend to keep their competitive window open. Extending these players can also free up cap room next season in the hopes that the cap rises even more in the future.
A Look at the Numbers
The salary cap is a bear to try to understand. Ken Ingalls, however, does a fantastic job of breaking it down and making visual graphs that are easier to understand. Here is Ken’s outlook for the Packers’ 2022 season:
As you can see, there is much work to be done and a great number of players the team and the fans would love to see back in the Green and Gold. The hard truth of the matter is that not everyone will be back. This includes star wide receiver Davante Adams, who wants to be the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL. As much as the Packers and their fans would love to see him back, the gap between the two sides is just too great. The reality of the matter is that, instead, the Packers should focus on these five players.
#1- Aaron Rodgers
Does Aaron Rodgers want to return to Green Bay after this season? Well, Adam Schefter reported in March that he did not even want to be back THIS season. However, the two sides came to an agreement and Rodgers reported to camp. Rodgers, again, is having a MVP-caliber season. [Almost more importantly], he is also having a great time playing and has a much-improved relationship with the front office.
Next season, Aaron Rodgers carries a cap hit of about $45 million. The only way that the Packers can avoid this hit is if they offer him a multi-year extension, probably in the four-year range. Known Packers critic Michael Lombardi believes Rodgers should make $50 million a year from Green Bay because he “covers up so much on that Packers team.”
Whether or not Aaron Rodgers will make $50 million a year is up for debate. However, if he does intend to return to the Packers, his deal will not be cheap. That being said, if Rodgers does want to return to Green Bay, the Packers should do all that they can to make it happen.
#2- Marquez Valdes-Scantling
With Davante Adams likely departing via free agency, the onus is on the Packers to keep as many weapons around Aaron Rodgers (or Jordan Love) as possible. Over the past couple of seasons, Marquez Valdes-Scantling (MVS) has proven himself to be one of the best deep threats in the NFL. Last season, he led the NFL in yards per reception with 20.9 YPC. Over the course of his career, the fourth-year pro has also been relatively healthy. He had not missed a game in his entire career up until this season.
Entering 2021, the biggest criticism of MVS’ game was his drops. Last season, he had an 11.1% drop rate. Some so-called fans used it an excuse to send him death threats on social media. This season, however, MVS has a drop percentage of exactly 0.0%. In other words, he has not dropped a pass yet this season. If he has truly put his drop issues behind him, MVS will be one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the league for years to come. The Packers would be wise to lock him up long-term right now.
#3- Rasul Douglas
Ever since the Green Bay Packers plucked Rasul Douglas off of the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, he has done nothing but make huge plays for the Packers. So far this season, the former Super Bowl champion has three interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
The Packers have an embarrassment of riches at cornerback. With Jaire Alexander (more to come on him) and Eric Stokes on the roster, opposing offenses will have plenty of difficulty finding wide open receivers. Keeping Douglas in the mix as their third corner just makes sense. He is only making $770,000 this year, and will get more on the open market. Green Bay should be able to afford him and he should be a Packer for the next few years.
#4- Jaire Alexander
Thanks to the heroics of Rasul Douglas and rookie Eric Stokes, the Green Bay Packers have not felt the absence of Jaire Alexander as badly as they might have. Obviously, the defense is a lot better with the best cornerback in football on the field. It is up to the Packers to make sure that he is on the field with them for years to come.
Having already exercised Alexander’s fifth-year option, the Packers will have him for the 2022 season. However, given the cap situation, it would be wise for them to extend him sooner rather than later. Due to cap constraints this season, though, a deal will not get done during this season.
Last season, Alexander made his first Pro Bowl and should have been a First Team All Pro. He missed out on that honor and was named Second Team All Pro. The fact of the matter is that Alexander is one of the best in the game and must be retained. This is almost a sure thing that the Packers will get it done.
#5- De’Vondre Campbell
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Another underrated signing (at the time) by the Packers front office was that of De’Vondre Campbell. As many Packers fans can attest, there has not been a player like him in the middle linebacker position on the Packers for years. Through 13 games, Campbell has 115 tackles, well on his way to breaking his career-high (129 in 2019).
In addition to his sure tackling (he has a missed tackle percentage of just 3.4%), Campbell has two interceptions and two forced fumbles. No slouch in the passing game, opposing quarterbacks have a 71.6 rating when targeting Campbell in coverage. Clearly, he enjoys playing in Green Bay and he fits Joe Barry’s scheme perfectly. His deal is up at the end of the season and the Packers should offer him a more lucrative one in the offseason.
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1 Comment
On Rasul Douglas & Campbell can’t we offer them a new contract now? Not sure if we have any cap space left for this year. Could take a bigger hit on cap for this year to help next year!