The Green Bay Packers have been all over the news this offseason with significant moves. Heading into the offseason, the big question was whether Aaron Rodgers would return to Green Bay. Rodgers decided to re-sign, which led to star wide receiver Davante Adams being franchise-tagged.
Packers fans celebrated for a few days before the news came out that Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2022 first and second-round pick.
This shocked many, as it was expected that Adams would sign a long-term deal to stay with Rodgers. That was not the case, but the Packers received good value in return. Adams is the best wide receiver in football, but great receivers don't always yield good trade value.
Robert Woods was traded to the Tennessee Titans for just a sixth-round pick. Green Bay should credit general manager Brian Gutekunst for getting the most value possible for the superstar receiver.
While the loss of Adams is tough, the Packers still have a great roster. With Rodgers back under center, they are still Super Bowl contenders. How far they go in the playoffs will be based on how they build upon their current team. With that said, here is the biggest need the Packers must address after the first week of 2022 NFL free agency.
Biggest need Packers must address
Although upgrading a few different positions would be beneficial, Green Bay needs to focus on wide receiver. Adams is where a majority of Rodgers passes went to and losing him significantly weakens their depth.
The Packers have Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Amari Rodgers at receiver on the current roster. This will not suffice for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Replacing Adams won't be easy, as he has put up absurd numbers for years in Green Bay. Last season, Adams had 123 receptions for 1,553 yards and 11 touchdowns. His connection with Rodgers was near unstoppable, and it will be hard to replicate something so potent.
Luckily, the Packers have plenty of options to acquire targets for Rodgers. The draft class has numerous talented weapons, which Green Bay could use one of their first-round picks on. There are also good free agents available that Gutekunst could look to sign.
Players like Julio Jones and Jarvis Landry would be seemingly good fits in the prolific offense. Jones dealt with injuries last season but is an elite weapon when healthy. Jarvis Landry was inconsistent with the Cleveland Browns but is a versatile weapon as he can line up on the outside or in the slot.
Bringing back deep threat Marquez Valdes-Scantling would be a viable option, as he knows the scheme and has chemistry with Rodgers. Last season, Valdes-Scantling had 26 receptions for 430 yards and three touchdowns. He has yet to have a breakout campaign but has shown flashes of being a great weapon in the league. Re-signing MVS, plus drafting or signing another receiver, would help the Pack be ready to make a deep playoff run next season.
Green Bay doesn't have long to formulate their roster, as teams are bound to make their free agency moves quickly. The draft could give the Packers a good wide receiver, but a rookie shouldn't be relied upon to be the go-to guy in his first campaign.
Rodgers signed his deal knowing Adams wouldn't return. It's now up to the front office to deliver and give him some weapons to throw the ball to.
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