Which free agent WR should the Packers prioritize: Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Allen Lazard?

Which free agent WR should the Packers bring back? Allen Lazard, or Marquez Valdes-Scantling?

The Green Bay Packers are about to set off into one of the most unpredictable offseason in franchise history. Over the next month, general manager Brian Gutekunst must make some difficult decisions on who he wants back for a championship run in 2022. This will be especially tough as the team must simultaneously hack away almost $50 million off their salary cap. Green Bay will be deciding on guys scheduled to be on the roster next season and ones set to hit free agency.

One position that will be particularly interesting to watch is the wide receiver group. Right now, the Packers only have one wide receiver signed to be on the roster next season. Amari Rodgers is entering the second year of his rookie contract, providing cheap labor. Meanwhile, the biggest no-brainer for Green Bay’s wide receiver group is retaining Davante Adams. It looks like Adams will be franchise tagged if the two sides can’t come to terms on a new deal. Adams is coming off back-to-back first-team All-Pro seasons with more high-level years left in him. Thus, letting him walk is not much of an option.

One interesting choice could come between two pending free agents in wide receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard. In an ideal scenario, the Packers find a way to keep both. Valdes-Scantling and Lazard bring a unique skill set to the offense that is extremely useful even though their production doesn’t jump off the page.

As a fun exercise, we will weigh the team’s options and make a case for either Valdes-Scantling or Lazard to return next season.

Packers tie game in Chicago on Allen Lazard touchdown

The Packers and Bears are tied 7-7 after a flip pass touchdown from Aaron Rodgers to Allen Lazard.

A creative playcall in the red zone helped the Green Bay Packers tie Sunday’s showdown with the Chicago Bears at 7-7 in the second quarter.

On 3rd-and-goal, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed a flip pass to Allen Lazard for a 1-yard touchdown.

The playcall put Aaron Jones in motion from right to left, drawing the attention of the defense and giving Rodgers a clear path to flip the ball to Lazard who was following behind.

The Packers’ scoring drive traveled 80 yards in 12 plays and took over six minutes off the block. The drive began with an interception by Darnell Savage in the end zone, was jumpstarted by a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the first snap, and continued on Rodgers’ converted sneak on fourth down from near midfield. An explosive play to Davante Adams – a 32-yard completion on a slant – got the Packers into the scoring area, and Rodgers and Lazard finished it off.

The Bears scored first on a first-quarter touchdown. The Packers have been behind in the first quarter in five of six games this season but have won the last three after falling behind.

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