The Green Bay Packers have 15 players with expiring contracts who will be unrestricted free agents come March. Deciding which players will return is one of the first priorities on the offseason checklist of GM Brian Gutekunst.
Which players should the Packers bring back?
Let’s break the 15 down into categories:
Quality vets the Packers need back
RT Bryan Bulaga: Good offensive tackles are so hard to find. Bulaga turns 31 in March, and he has a frightening injury history, but he’s also a warrior and an accomplished right tackle, and the Packers haven’t developed or identified a replacement. Bulaga, who started 17 of 18 games in 2019, will be in demand. His value to the Packers is high.
K Mason Crosby: Reliable kickers are as hard to find as quality offensive tackles. Crosby is 35, but he made 22 of 24 field goals and all but one extra point in 2019. He’s mentally tough and his leg is still strong. Unless his asking price is exorbitant, Crosby should be back.
Quality vets worth bringing back
CB Tramon Williams: The ageless cornerback didn’t show any signs of regression despite playing the 2019 season as one of the oldest defensive backs in football. He’s still quick and agile and smart, and he gave Mike Pettine a full year of strong work covering the slot. At the right price, he’s well worth bringing back again.
TE Marcedes Lewis: He cut weight, showed up to camp in terrific shape and produced an outstanding season as a blocker in the run game. At times, the veteran was dominant blocking the edge, and he even caught 15 passes. His skill set has value in LaFleur’s offense, and Aaron Rodgers loves him, both as a player and leader. Lewis wants to return to Green Bay in 2020.
Easy decisions
RB Tyler Ervin: He arrived as a waiver claim in early December and immediately revived the Packers’ return game. He also gave the offense an athletic two-way threat for Matt LaFleur’s jet motion plays. His special teams value alone should make this an easy decision.
DB Will Redmond: He was overmatched at times on defense, but the versatile defensive back developed into arguably the Packers’ best special teams player in 2019. Redmond led the team in special teams tackles with nine and is great covering kicks and punts. Shawn Mennenga will likely push hard for him to return.
FB Danny Vitale: He didn’t break out like many expected after a big summer, but Vitale is still a strong fit in LaFleur’s scheme. He’s a threat in the passing game. A return makes sense for both team and player.
Could go either way
OT Jared Veldheer: Would he want to return as the Packers’ swing tackle? If he’s willing and the price is right, a reunion in 2020 makes good sense, especially if Bulaga returns. If he’s looking to start and wants to be paid like a starting-caliber tackle, he’s almost certainly gone.
LB B.J. Goodson: He played 254 unspectacular snaps as the second linebacker in the base defense. The former Giant can thump against the run. If Blake Martinez departs, bringing back Goodson might be a cheap way of holding the position together, but he’s replaceable.
DB Ibraheim Campbell: He gave the Packers a smart and versatile player to handle the dime linebacker role once Raven Greene went down in Week 2. With Pettine returning, Campbell could also return.
Most likely gone
LB Blake Martinez: He produced 140 or more tackles in three straight seasons, and he calls the plays for the defense, but there’s a good chance another team is going to play Martinez more than the Packers are willing to keep him. He’s a limited player, but he undoubtedly out-produced his draft slot.
OLB Kyler Fackrell: Fackrell will likely attempt to find a bigger role and a bigger payday elsewhere. He produced 10.5 sacks during a fluky season in 2018 and then gladly accepted a role as a rotational player in 2019. He can rush off the edge and cover in space. Just don’t ask him to play the run.
Time to move on
WR Geronimo Allison: He had a big start to the 2018 season but returned from a season-ending injury in 2019 and really, really struggled. In fact, Allison was one of the least efficient receivers in the NFL this season. He struggled to hold onto the ball, too. The Packers played him over 600 snaps, but it’s time for an upgrade. A big upgrade.
WR Ryan Grant: The Packers signed him in October but he couldn’t even crack the active gameday roster. He was an emergency option. With a bunch of newcomers likely on the way at receiver, it’s difficult to envision Grant sticking around.
OT Jason Spriggs: He never developed into a quality offensive tackle despite a bunch of chances. He then missed the entire 2019 season while on IR. The former second-round pick probably needs a fresh start.
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