3 Packers offseason moves to make if Aaron Rodgers stays in Green Bay
Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari. (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
If Aaron Rodgers agrees to return to the Green Bay Packers for the 2023 season, here are three moves the team needs to make this offseason.
The Green Bay Packers are waiting on an important decision from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Even though he signed a three-year, $150.8 million contract extension last offseason, there is still uncertainty as to whether he will play with the Packers, get traded to another team, or retire. Let’s not forget that they also have to make a decision regarding backup quarterback Jordan Love, specifically his fifth-year option. Recently, Rodgers has said he is going to take his time before making a decision.
Let’s say Rodgers opts to return to the Packers for the 2023 season. What can the team do to improve their roster to help the team reach the playoffs after missing out on a berth this campaign?
Here are three moves that general manager Brian Gutekunst should make.
Packers offseason move to make if Aaron Rodgers stays, No. 3: Get some offensive tackle depth
The Packers could stand to bring in some offensive tackle depth for Rodgers.
This past season, Green Bay was without David Bakhtiari for six games due to injury, including undergoing an appendectomy in December. Elgton Jenkins can play at tackle or guard, but the latter is where he primarily plays.
Getting some offensive line help will be tricky, especially when looking at Green Bay’s cap situation at first glance. That can change, however, as Rodgers said himself that in all likelihood, he would have to restructure his contract to play in 2023, wherever that is. In that case, it would free up some cap space for the Packers to go get some free agents.
Or, if the Packers are truly interested in freeing up more cap space, they could cut Bakhtiari. While that would be less than ideal, considering how he can play when he’s healthy, cutting him before June 1 will free up $5.7 million in cap space, per Spotrac. But, doing so would result in a $23.1 million dead cap hit.
Either way, the Packers should bring in some outside offensive tackle options, whether that’s in free agency or the NFL Draft.
