The most notable departure for the Packers this offseason is, of course, the Aaron Rodgers trade which is expected to take place at some point in the coming weeks. The team has also lost a key receiver for the second straight year, however, leaving a vacancy for a veteran addition or two. 
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Allen Lazard signed with the Jets last month, allowing him to (presumably) continue playing with Rodgers while also cashing in on his career-best production in 2022. Lazard’s ascension to the role of No. 1 wideout came after the trade sending Davante Adams to the Raiders and the free agent loss of Marquez Valdes-Scantling the previous offseason; fellow veteran Randall Cobb is a free agent with little to no prospect of remaining in Green Bay if Rodgers departs.
That leaves the Packers with only five receivers currently under contract, including the three members of the team’s draft class at the position (Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure). To no surprise, head coach Matt LaFleur recently spoke about the need for Green Bay to make a few moves at the position, including the signing of an experienced pass-catcher.
“I think some veteran leadership would be nice,” LaFleur said, via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. “Although I think guys like Allen and Randall did such a great job last year kind of taking those guys under their wing and showing them the ropes and the expectations and the practice habits that you need to have to go out there and play at a high level. But there’s going to be a lot of growth with those two guys, certainly Romeo and Christian.”
Watson and Doubs each showed flashes of the potential which garnered them interest in the draft last year, but the pair were rarely available at the same time. Watson ranked second on the team behind only Lazard with 611 yards, while Doubs’ production (425 yards) ranked fourth on the team and third amongst receivers. The pair will therefore be counted on to take a significant step forward while handling sizeable workloads in Green Bay’s Jordan Love-led offense in 2023.
The Packers took a flier on Sammy Watkins last year, but the former first-rounder made only 13 catches in Green Bay before being waived and finishing the season in Baltimore. The team will obviously be aiming higher with their next signing, which could target a number of veterans who make up the secondary waves of a weak free agent class. While a major splash at the position is thus unlikely, an addition of some kind should be expected in the near future.
Still speculation that there will be a AR12 trade.
technicalities is a better word for it than speculation.
How come there’s no mention of John Brockington passing? RIP and thanks for the memories as a young kid. After the great years, Brock’s running was the only thing to root for in the early 70s.
It’s going to be hilarious if the Jets sign all of the Pack’s receivers, but Rodgers stays in Green Bay. I’m laughing at the thought and the look on the faces of Jets fans
It would be kinda funny, but I don’t think Cobb or Lewis will sign until he’s officially a Jet…and both actually decide to continue playing. Lewis is, what..56 now..?
I’m wondering if that’s the hold up on Zeke and OBJ too.
could all 3 be waiting to unite on the Jets?
the Jets are officially the 22 Lakers if they end up with OBJ, Zeke and ARodge
The bigger joke will be the face on Green Bay Packer’s management when they are stuck paying into Aaron Rodgers Wealth Management Capital Fund for the next four years, at about $50 million/year. Without even playing Rodgers.
Packers gonna be right where they were with Rodgers. A borderline playoff team that wont win a title.
Just like the Jets…
They’ll win 4-6 games in ‘23.
Who cares? Rebuild if such is needed and become good again without paying big bucks to a QB. Very hard to do of course but should Love click with the young receivers, money can be spent to ensure there’s protection and defense.
I’d laugh my butt off if the Packers select a WR in the 1st round right after Rodgers leaves lol.
I’d laugh my butt off if the Packers draft a WR in the 1st round right after trading Rodgers lol.
Jets have signed exactly ONE Packer player and yet the media and Packer fans act like Jets are GB-East. With all the young WRs in GB, it does make sense for the Jets to send Corey Davis back to GB in the #12 trade
Signed 1. Linked to other (still) FA. And I get Rodgers loves both Cobb and Lewis, but neither of them move the needle in terms of helping win much at this point in their careers. I’m not sure Zeke or OBJ do much either.
Packers have needed to address the receiver position for damn near a decade. Running with Lazard as your #1 is criminal.
Why does Green Bay need to sign a veteran WR? They have Jordan Love at QB, the second coming of the greatest QB ever known. They are getting rid of a 4 time NFL MVP and a former Super Bowl Champion in favor of Love. He is that damn good that it doesn’t matter who they have at WR. Love, the QB God, can make anyone into a Hall of Fame player…..at least he better be able to, otherwise Gutey can kiss his career good bye.
They arent getting rid of a “4 time MVP and Super Bowl Champion” just for the sake of moving on from him, they are doing so because hes just a tick under 40 years old, himself admitted he was a pubic hair away from retirement. Considering he is coming off one of his worst years of his career, now is the perfect time to move on, get what you can for him while seeing if you have anything in Love. Btw, that “4 time mvp” is going to retire much sooner than later, so could you quit using that as though the guy is still 29, in his prime and going to be around forever. He is going to have to be replaced sooner or later no matter how much you cry.
I agree, it’s the perfect time to move on, but when that player is on the books for a guaranteed $150 million you take what you can get in trade and keep quiet, hoping the other blackjack player doesn’t realise you were bluffing when showing your Ace with two covered cards.
NYJ know now that the Packers are bluffing and there’s no other bidders for that $150 million contract and the Packers have manoeuvred themselves into a corner.
The Jets aren’t in a strong position either as should the team for whatever reason keep #12 or he chooses to retire, what other option is there? They need to win now and the Baltimore QB with his and the team’s demands is an even worse alternative.
The Jets do not have to mortgage their future for immediate success. The Jets are on a long term plan. The Jets will take Aaron Rodgers contract, but don’t expect much in picks.
It’s going to be a long year in Green Bay, regardless of how the Rodgers situation gets resolved. They just don’t have the talent and are reluctant to make moves to address that fact.
They are reluctant to make any moves because they don’t have the money too.
Which is exactly why the Packers desperately need to offload Rodgers to the Jets at any price.
They are “reluctant” to make any moves because they don’t have the money.