When news broke of Aaron Rodgers’s decision to return to Green Bay on March 8th, it looked like the Packers were gearing up for another Super Bowl run. Rodgers was under contract and Davante Adams was franchise tagged. Many Packers fans thought one of the best offenses in football was poised for great things in 2022. And then, the wide receiver dominos started to fall. Not long after, Packers fans were left to wonder, “Who will be WR1 in Green Bay in 2022?”
The first WR to go seemed harmless enough. Equanimeous St. Brown agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears. Most Packers fans expected to lose one or two skill players to free agency. Brown’s nine receptions for 98 yards didn’t seem like too much for the Packers’ receiver corps to absorb. Then Adams was traded to Las Vegas for 1st and 2nd round picks in this year’s draft. After the shock of the trade wore off, many were optimistic about what they got in return for Adams.
Having already tendered Allen Lazard, GM Brian Gutekunst said they were still optimistic about Marquez Valdes-Scantling staying in Green Bay. Unfortunately, the deal Adams got in Las Vegas – combined with Tyreek Hill’s extension following his trade from Kansas City to Miami – reset the market at wide receiver. It quickly became apparent that MVS was poised to land a big money deal elsewhere. That domino fell Thursday when he signed a three-year, $30 million contract with Kansas City.
Having now lost three of their receivers, the Packers find themselves in unfamiliar territory. The excitement fans felt over the return of Rodgers has shifted to concern. Who will fill the wide receiver void on a team that has enjoyed MVP-level play from Rodgers over the last three seasons?
DeVante Parker
Now holding picks 22, 28, 53, and 59, the Packers will look to this year’s draft to build for the future at wide receiver. However, simply drafting a WR or two doesn’t solve the problem. Green Bay needs an established receiver. While the possibilities aren’t abundant or obvious, there are still options. Three veterans stand out as real possibilities for the Packers to trade for or sign via free agency. They are names most Packers fans have heard.
DeVante Parker could be the odd man out after the Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins. Parker has two seasons left on his current contract with Miami. He could be acquired with a late-round draft pick on a salary the Packers can absorb with their current cap situation.
Parker has struggled a bit over the last couple seasons with Tua Tagovailoa at QB, but in 2019 he had 72 receptions for 1,202 yards and scored nine touchdowns. Not eye-popping numbers by most standards, but considering the gap between Rodgers and Tua at QB, Parker could enjoy a renaissance in Green Bay.
DK Metcalf
A more expensive – and many would argue risky – option is a trade for Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf. Reports emerged this week that the Packers were inquiring about Metcalf’s availability. Such a trade would be far more hard-hitting, likely costing one of the Packers’ two first-round picks.
Metcalf would bring a legitimate WR1 skillset to Green Bay. He has vertical speed and playmaking ability that the Rodgers needs to succeed. He would also bring a contract with just the 2022 season remaining, which would leave the Packers in the same position they found themselves at the end of last season.
Metcalf would help keep the Packers’ passing game elite for another year, one hopefully ending with a Super Bowl run. Would that be enough to entice Metcalf to want to stick around in Green Bay? Or would he be expecting the same kind of bank-breaking contract other receivers are getting this year? This one seems a little too risky, but it’s still an option.
Tyler Lockett
Another Seahawks receiver might be the best option of these three. Tyler Lockett has been one of Russell Wilson’s favorite receivers for the last several years. He enjoyed his best season in 2020, with 100 receptions for 1,054 yards and 10 touchdowns. While he isn’t the downfield threat Metcalf would be, his reliability in the passing game would appeal to Rodgers.
With two second-round picks, the Packers could make the Seahawks an offer for Lockett that would still leave them with two in the first round. Trading for a reliable receiver already signed to a long-term contract could be a win-win proposition for the Packers.
Who Will They Look To?
Whether it’s Lockett, Parker, Metcalf – or someone else – it’s clear Green Bay needs veteran help at wide receiver. Packers fans have praised Gutekunst for how has navigated the last two years. The departure of Adams, however, could be the biggest challenge he’s faced as GM.
If the team can land a solid veteran receiver, the Packers are poised to go into the 2022 season with high expectations again. For once, the defense has established itself as one of the league’s best. Nobody expects the Packers to become known more for their defense in 2022. However, unanswered questions on offense have the Packers in unfamiliar territory. The next several weeks will determine whether they pick up where they left off in 2021, or start to rebuild their receiving corps for whatever time Rodgers has left in Green Bay.
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