The Green Bay Packers have now reached back-to-back NFC Championships Games after earning the team's last two playoff berths by way of NFC North titles. Even though the heralded Packers tallied 13 regular-season wins in each of the last two seasons as well, Green Bay ultimately came up short of reaching the Super Bowl in both 2019-20 and 2020-21.
Although the Packers were unable to secure a trip to the Super Bowl over the course of the last two seasons, that doesn't mean that Green Bay hasn't been a successful NFL franchise. Just because the Packers have had their seasons end on less than stellar notes each of the last two years doesn't mean that Green Bay should blow it all up as this remains one of the strongest all-around rosters in the league today.
However, a few tweaks here and there can certainly help put Green Bay over the top come the 2021-22 campaign as the Packers should have the opportunity to sign more than a few talented free agents this time around.
1. WR Corey Davis
Thanks to both a breakout season in 2020-21 and fellow wide receiver A.J. Brown kicking off his NFL playing career with not one but two stellar seasons, it will be interesting to see what eventually happens with current Tennessee Titans wideout Corey Davis as he will officially hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason. Because the Titans previously elected to decline Davis' fifth-year option, it might be difficult for Tennessee to retain the veteran pass-catcher moving forward as the former No. 5 overall pick is no doubt slated to have many suitors after Super Bowl LV comes and goes.
With Davis gearing up to serve as just one of many talented wide receivers to hit free agency this time around, the Packers should have a few options available to them if the heralded NFC North franchise elected to pursue a top-notch pass-catcher to pair with No. 1 wideout Davante Adams, who has one season remaining on his current contract. In addition to Davis, who has the unique ability to affect both the rushing game and passing attack due to his blocking prowess, fellow wideouts Chris Godwin, Allen Robinson, A.J. Green, T.Y. Hilton and several others will all hit the open market. However, not only does Davis bring a well-rounded skill set to the table, but he will likely garner less money than Godwin and Robinson while still retaining his youth.
It is also worth noting that the Packers will have wide receivers Marques Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown for at least one more season as well with yet another pass-catcher in Allen Lazard slated to become an exclusive rights free agent ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.
2. ILB Avery Williamson
The Packers have a strong pass rush and stellar defensive secondary, which often leaves the team's linebacking core out of the conversation. However, the tandem of Krys Barnes and Christian Kirksey are more than formidable, though some additional depth at the linebacker position certainly wouldn't hurt. With both Barnes and Kirksey about to enter the final year of their respective contracts, perhaps Green Bay can swoop in and sign former Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets and Tennessee Titans linebacker Avery Williamson, who will be a free agent this offseason.
Because Williamson is a veteran that can do it all at the inside linebacker position, he can also play in a reserve capacity and on special teams, which would allow him to become a nice addition to Barnes and Kirksey. A rotation of linebackers, and especially veteran linebackers, will go a long way for Green Bay as this unit just needs to make ends meet for the secondary and defensive front. Although this wouldn't be a major splash on the open market for Green Bay, a team at the Packers' threshold doesn't need much to put it over the top as depth signings at already relatively strong positions surely won't hurt this franchise moving forward.
Adding to his potential in Green Bay, a seasoned veteran like Williamson can help the Packers both on the field in a variety of different ways and in the locker room.
3. CB Kevin King
There is absolutely no doubt that future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers leads the way and then some for the Packers as the NFC North franchise goes as the veteran signal-caller goes these days. However, the Packers have also developed a stout defense that has paired nicely with Rodgers and company as Green Bay has put together one of the more well-rounded rosters in the entire league over the course of the last several seasons.
With that in mind, it will be equally important for Green Bay to retain its talented soon-to-be free agents this offseason as it is for the team to bring in new blood. With up-and-coming running back Aaron Jones slated to become a free agent on the offensive side of the football, he will likely receive a ton of interest on the open market and could cost a pretty penny in the end. Even with fellow Packers running back Jamaal Williams in place to become a free agent as well, the Packers previously drafted former Boston College standout A.J. Dillon to fill such a void.
Because this is the case, the Packers can focus on retaining defensive talent and more specifically standout cornerback Kevin King. As King has come into his own during his time in Green Bay, his pairing with fellow cornerback Jaire Alexander has become one of the best in the league at the present moment. Not only that, though, but the Packers also have a prolific tandem of safeties in Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage to anchor the rest of its defensive secondary. Green Bay should do everything in its power to keep King in green and yellow moving forward as the Packers' defensive secondary is one of the strengths of this football team.
It is definitely worth noting that Green Bay must use logic and long-term tape to determine whether to re-sign King, who got roasted by the eventual NFC Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or not as a result of last week's NFC title game. Simply put—one poor performance and an outlier for King shouldn't sway the Packers in one direction or another.
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