The Green Bay Packers were expected to be a serious playoff contender once again in 2022 with Aaron Rodgers back under center. But that didn't end up happening, as they missed the playoffs entirely after coming up just short in their final game of the season against the Detroit Lions. Now, the Packers will enter a potentially chaotic offseason for the second straight year.
As was the case last offseason, the primary question the Packers are going to have to face revolves around whether or not Aaron Rodgers will be returning for the 2023 season. Rodgers could opt to retire, or even worse, request a trade, but so far, his status is very much up in the air, which is really no surprise considering all that we know about Rodgers.
Even without all the potential drama surrounding Rodgers, the Packers are going to have some tough decisions to make this offseason, and they could play a big role in determining whether or not this team manages to make it back to the playoffs next season. With that in mind, let's take a look at three players the Packers need to move on from this offseason, and see why that's the case.
3. Mason Crosby
Mason Crosby managed to have a nice bounce back campaign after a really ugly showing in 2021, but with him set to hit free agency this offseason, it feels like it may be the right time to move on from him this offseason. It's tough, but the Packers may have to find an upgrade at their kicker position with Crosby only getting older.
Crosby made 25 of his 29 field goal attempts in 2022, as well as 37 of his 39 extra point attempts. Just one year after he missed nine field goals and two extra points, that was a pretty good bounce back campaign. But still, Crosby can't really hit field goals over 50 yards long, and he's going to be 39 years old next season. It feels like now is the time to find his replacement.
While he is consistent, and likely would stick around on a cheap deal, Crosby is clearly nearing the end of his career. Green Bay could likely find a kicker in the draft on a cheap rookie deal who has a lot more upside than Crosby, and that may be the smartest move to make. It would be tough to move on from Crosby, but the 2023 offseason feels like the right time to make that move.
2. Adrian Amos
Adrian Amos has been a pretty solid do-it-all safety during his time with the Green Bay Packers, but it's time for the team to find his replacement. Amos wasn't particularly good in 2022, and with his 30th birthday right around the corner, handing him another big contract is something they simply can't afford to do this offseason.
Amos' counting stats aren't all that bad (102 tackles, one sack, one INT, five PD, seven TFL, 2 QB hits) but a deeper dive shows some concerning trends. Amos has only gotten worse and worse in coverage throughout his time in Green Bay, and the 107.7 passer rating he allowed on passes thrown his way this season just isn't good enough.
Amos has value, but the Packers don't have a lot of salary cap flexibility to work with this offseason, and it would be easier to draft a replacement for Amos than hand him another big deal. He's already begun to show signs of decline, and it seems like it's time to move on from the veteran safety this offseason as a result.
1. Allen Lazard
This may be a bit of an easier decision, but it's time to move on from Allen Lazard as well for the Packers this offseason. Lazard made it sound like he wasn't going to be returning to Green Bay this offseason, so that likely will make things easy for the Packers, but either way, we can't leave him off this list just because it feels like he's already gone.
Lazard was expected to step up and be the Packers top wide receiver this season, and while he put together the best season of his career (60 REC, 788 YDS, 6 TD) he didn't make the leap that the team was hoping for. By the end of the season, it was clear that Lazard had been surpassed by Christian Watson in terms of receivers Rodgers trusted the most.
Lazard could certainly be used, but it doesn't seem like he wants to return, and truth be told, he will likely be more expensive than the Packers should be willing to pay for him. It's a shame his development didn't play out as expected, but Lazard is almost surely not going to be back with Green Bay next season, and there's a chance that may be for the better.
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