The Green Bay Packers rebounded after a horrible start to make it all the way to the NFC Championship game. Aaron Rodgers attempted to carry the team on his back, but the defense was simply unable to make enough stops to get the team to the Super Bowl. Now that the season is over, the Packers have to focus on retooling their roster before the start of training camp. Green Bay has 13 free agents and limited salary cap space, so they will be forced to make a few unexpected roster moves this off-season. These are the four Green Bay players that will likely be wearing a new uniform at the start of the 2017 NFL season.
Sam Shields
Sam Shields used to be one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, but those days are clearly behind him. Shields dealt with concussions and severe headaches for the last two years. These injuries limited him to only one game during the 2016 season. While injuries are bound to happen in the NFL, Shields rarely performed up to expectations when he stepped on the field. The Green Bay Packers need to make major changes to their defense if they want to contend for a Super Bowl next season, so they can’t afford to waste money on Sam Shields. Getting younger on defense has to be a huge goal for the Packers this off-season, and the only way to do that is by letting Sam Shields find a new team.
Eddie Lacy
The biggest problem with Eddie Lacy is that the Packers never know what they are going to get from him. Lacy can look like one of the best running backs in the league at times, but he can also look like someone that just got off the couch to play in their first football game. Lacy’s weight issues have been a major problem during his time in Green Bay, so it hard to envision the Packers offering him a lucrative contract this off-season. Since the Packers rarely rely on the running backs to win games, it would make a lot of sense to fill the position with cheap contracts. The sports betting sites are giving the Packers a great chance to win the Super Bowl next year with Ty Montgomery as the starting running back, and those odds likely would not change much by resigning Eddie Lacy.
Julius Peppers
Julius Peppers is great at rushing the quarterback from the linebacker position, but that is the only thing he can do to help his team win. It is going to be hard for the Packers to get under the salary cap before the 2017 season, so they can’t afford to give huge contracts to specialty players. There are way too many linebackers in the league that can rush the quarterback, stop the run and play in pass coverage to give another big contract to Peppers.
Jared Cook
Most Packers fans may want to see their team bring back tight end Jared Cook, but it would not be the smartest financial decision for Green Bay. Jared Cook is going to be remembered for the remarkable catch he made to win the playoff game against Dallas, but that is one of his only highlights from the season. Cook only caught 30 passes in the regular season. The Packers will also be able to easily fill Cook’s production with Richard Rodgers. Aaron Rodgers does not throw the ball to tight ends enough to warrant two big contracts at the position.
The Green Bay Packers are going to have a lot of tough decisions this off-season. Rebuilding the defense should be a huge priority, but that will not be easy with limited salary cap space. Seeing these four players find new teams this off-season may not be easy for Green Bay fans, but it is the only way to help the team contend next season.