Reality has set in. As I watched the Buffalo vs. Kansas City playoff game yesterday two realities sunk in. Two teams playing for their respective conference championships were beaten by Green Bay, the Chiefs at Lambeau and the Lions on their home field. And there is no benefit to dwelling on that fact. The season is over for the Packers.
So, what does the Packer organization do to ensure this early playoff exit does not happen next year? While the Packers will drop much of Aaron Rodgers’ massive dead weight salary cap stranglehold, they still have to pay Jordan Love, and make a number of decisions on whether to cut, resign and extend a number of veterans contracts.
Potential Packers Roster Moves
If they cut Bakhtiari, Campbell, Savage, Newman and Stokes, Green Bay would have 33.7 million in cap space according to spotrac.com. That number is before Love gets paid. Love costs the Packers 12 million this year so a team-friendly deal could cost them just a few million more.
And then there is the 2024 draft. The Packers have 5 picks in the first three rounds and potentially 6 more on day three of the draft if at least three compensatory picks are awarded for losing Robert Tonyan, Dean Lowry, Jarran Reed and Allen Lazard as NFL.com predicts.
After watching the film of the Packers loss to the 49ers again, a couple of things jump out on tape. One, the tackling abilities of the Niner safeties compared to the Packers is at a game changer level.
Darnell Savage not only missed a tackle near the line of scrimmage costing the Packers a touchdown on Christian McCaffrey’s 39-yard touchdown. He was beaten for a touchdown on Purdy’s 32-yard pass to Kittle to start the scoring and he dropped an interception that was right in his hands that would have given the Packers an additional red zone opportunity.
The old saying is big players make big plays in big games. If this was just one bad game, fans and pundits would brush it off. But the interception in Dallas was really the only big play Savage made in the 2023 season.
He had only one in the previous season when Kirk Cousins decided to hand interceptions out like candy at Halloween in the Packer v. Viking game in Green Bay on January 1st, 2023.
Savage has one year left on his contract which will cost the Packers just over 5 million whether they play him or cut him. Either way it is time to draft a replacement. Gutekunst drafted Savage in the first round.
Packers 2024 NFL Draft Pick Strategy
Packers hold the 25th pick in the first round and the 41st and 58th in the second. The two third round picks are 88 and 92. With the offense set at receiver and tight end two of those top picks will probably be focused on improvement in the defense.
Losing Enagbare to an ACL tear and with Preston Smith turning 32, the Packers should prioritize drafting an outside linebacker. With Jaire Alexander’s injuries and Eric Stokes’ poor performance after coming back from his own serious injury, cornerback is a strong need. De’Vondre Campbell is slowing down, and Quay Walker has problems diagnosing plays, especially in the run game.
So, Brian Gutekunst has a number of options with his top picks. The defensive line has up and coming players in Brooks, Wooden and Slayton, with only Devonte Wyatt struggling to improve but this was his first year with starters minutes and he could still make a jump.
The offense has offensive line questions at guard. Jon Runyon is a free agent and Sean Rhyan was not as good when he subbed in. But he could also make a jump. Yosh Nijman has probably played his way off the team as has Royce Newman, so depth on the offensive line will be necessary.
Besides offensive line, running back will also be a need. A.J. Dillon played most of his games in 2023 behind an injured and inexperienced offensive line. But, in his time in Green Bay he has not proven he can be a game changing back in the Packer offensive system. As a free agent, the cheaper way will be to draft a young hard-charging runner somewhere in this draft.
Face the Kicker Music
Finally, kicker. While the Packers used draft capital last year, LaFleur said he is looking at competition at all positions. You cannot let ego overrule results on tape.
Another draft pick on a kicker? If you want to advance it may be necessary. The Packers rarely draft runners or guards high, so it will be interesting to see what Gutekunst does to resupply the offense versus the defense.
While much has been written about the Packer focus on defense in past drafts, the struggles of the 2023 defense would justify another year of similar tactics. But all of this is speculation until April.
Until then internal coaching staff reviews will be the first priority. Will LaFleur be able to keep his offensive staff intact and what about the defense? The games are finished but there is still drama to be dispensed on Lombardi Avenue.
Paul, savage does not have one year left on his contract. The Packers converted most of his 5th year option to bonuses. Then the Packers added void years. Those void years and bonuses will become due at the end of the NFL 2023 season. The Packers have to pay the amount due Savage, and Savage is gone, unless a contract extension or new contract is completed between the parties.
Thanks Howard. That’s what I get for not referencing multiple sources. Lesson learned. Appreciated. GoPackGo
I look forward to your articles. You do a great job. It was a mistake for the Packers to pick up Savages fifth year option. Go Pack Go!
The most impactful thing the Packers can do this offseason is hire a real Defensive Coordinator. No more linebacker coach pretending he knows how to run a defense. Will MLF have the balls to do it? Probably not. Get used to the Packers continuing to lose early in the playoffs as they have a habit of doing.
What the Pack does in the draft will depend on the firing of JB. Savage was decent in the past scheme, but not now, so was it more the scheme or the player? Inside linebacker is a must, as is the offensive line. Moving Quay to outside linebacker is an option also, he played there during the season. JB has never had a defense ranked higher than 20th with things factored in, so he is a bottom third DC, those stats don’t lie. An above average DC could do wonders with 8 first round draft picks. Please, do not get that fool from the Giants.
I’d move off both Bakhtiari and Campbell for sure. Bring back Stokes and possibly Savage. I could see all 5 of those top 100 picks going defensive. With CB, S, ILB, OLB being a priority. If you don’t draft a tackle early then you have to bring back Yoshi Nijman for depth. They probably don’t offer a contract to Runyan and give Rhyan a shot at RG. I’d draft a couple of RB’s in rounds 4-7. Gutekunst has found some recent gems in the 7th round. Let’s see if he can continue.
So what would a contract extension for Jordan Love look like? I’d say, three years at upwards of 150 million. The top 5 QB’s in the league make north of 50 million per season. Love outplayed all of them over the last 10 games. While Daniel Jones, who’s clearly inferior to Love, made 40 million.
I expect the Packers to be generous. They’ve always paid their QB’s fair market value and negotiate in good faith. Jordan Love has been a good soldier, never inserting himself in the Rodgers drama and demanding to be traded. He’s worked hard and is a good kid. That can’t be overstated.
The dollar amount isn’t as big an issue as the length of the contract. If I’m the Packers I begin negotiations at 40 million per while team Love will ask for 50 million or more. I’d give up more money for a shorter contract. Because at the end of the day, as good as Love has been, it’s been a limited sample size. If for some reason it doesn’t work out, you don’t want to be stuck with a 5 year deal.
Having said that, I expect the Packers and 25 year old Jordan Love to win a SB in the next 3 years. Both Favre and Rodgers won a SB at 27. While Patrick Mahomes won his first at 26. This is a young ascending team and can play with anyone. Beating Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City, and both the Rams and Chargers. The expectations will be a SB next season and Jordan Love should be paid accordingly.
You’d do this, you’d do that, you’d bring back X, and maybe keep Y, you would…….., then you’d…….
“So what would a contract extension for Jordan Love look like? I’d say……..
“I would tank the season and find a new franchise QB……”
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Nauseating
“So what would a contract extension for Jordan Love look like? I’d say……..
“I would tank the season and find a new franchise QB……”
.
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Spot on.
The length of the contract doesn’t matter.
They could give Love a 10 year contract worth 500 million, but still have a clear easy out after 2 years.
Keep educating us….lettuce head.
And this is why Kevin doesn’t negotiate contracts at the NFL level. No one gets a 10 year contract extension after a 10 game run. You gotta show me a little more skin for that.
Last year Jordan Love was finally given “the keys to the car.” In exchange for the vote of confidence, he reworked his remaining contract to a more team friendly deal. Kevin immediately declared this was a clear admission that Jordan Love doubted his own abilities. Kevin was wrong again. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Jordan Love bet on himself and won. Elite QB’s can name their price and if Jordan Love continues his current trajectory, he’ll be able to name his price in the coming years. He and his agent, as well as the Packers, know this. Unlike Rodgers, there’s no animosity between Love and management. I expect both to work together to get a deal done. Patrick Mahomes got a 10 year deal but not after two years as starter and a SB win. Love will likewise receive such a deal if he picks up where he left off next season and wins a SB. But not now.
As far as players on the roster. After two years Eric Stokes will finally be healthy. Still on his rookie deal and a position on need. It’s my opinion he’s worth the risk. While Darnell Savage will never make anyone forget Nick Collins. It’s my opinion, he was still the best FS on the roster and if the price is right, worth a one year deal. While it’s also my opinion that Bakhtiari and Campbell are too old and too injury prone to bring back. You on the other hand Kevin, have no opinion about anything. You exist only to argue with whatever I have to say and embarrass yourself. You never fail to disappoint.
I made it to……..” No one gets a 10 year contract extension after a 10 game run.” – Princess
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Missing the point that the 10 year example was theoretical, intended only to make an overexaggerated point, nimrod.
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So nauseating
* Tell us more stories how you would tank the season to find a new franchise QB, NFL fantasy GM.
“While Darnell Savage will never make anyone forget Nick Collins.”
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You have literally told us that Darnell Savage was the second coming of Nick Collins before. It amazes me how much that nickname fits you, Flip Flop.
“Jordan Love bet on himself and won. Well i should say Purdy won, with a game winning drive in the 4th quarter, when it counts and the game is on the line.
What Jordan Love did in the 4th quarter was. Well nobody knows what that was. But we know what it wasn’t. A smart, game winning, team leading drive by a franchise QB to advance his team in the playoffs.” – Ragnar
You heard it here first boys and girls. Kevin prefers Brock Purdy to Jordan Love. But how, pray tell, does Brock Purdy stack up next to the greatest conspiracy theorist/ NFL QB of all time? Only Kevin in his feeble mind can say. Perhaps Jason can offer up a poll where we all could vote. Love vs Purdy. Even Cheese wouldn’t back you on that one.
Back me on what, your made up false narrative?
You think you’re fooling anyone here short bus?
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I compared both Purdy’s and Loves 4th quarter drives.
That’s it….lol
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And you still wonder why you get called a tw at, really?
I have no idea what you were talking about Kevin. But I was talking about a Jordan Love contract extension and what it might look like. Then you mentioned Brock Purdy’s 4th quarter TD which will have no bearing on Jordan Love’s contract extension. Once again you’re running your mouth and saying nothing….
I was talking about how 7th round pick Purdy showed up when it mattered in the 4th quarter and led the 49ers on a game winning drive.
Then i talked about how 1st round pick Love had his chance to shine in the 4th quarter for his team, but couldn’t get the job done.
In fact, throw up a desperate wounded duck, cross field mind you, to a triple covered Watson on 1st down with 2 time outs.
GAME OVER!!
Still confused?
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Well you shouldn’t be, seeing as you’ve made it your life’s mission to tell us ad nauseum how Rodgers could never get it done in the playoffs when the game was on the line in the 4th quarter.
Remember all that Rodgers hate Scooter?
Of course you do because it was just last week!!!….lol.
But when it’s about Love’s 4th quarter you….have no idea…….what i’m talking about….lol
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Lettuce head….
Remember telling all of us ladies that if Love can keep improving, he could be the next Brock Purdy?
Well, based on that 4th quarter performance…Love isn’t quite there yet is he little man?
None of which has anything to do with Jordan Love’s potential contract.
From watching that game, it became obvious who the better QB was on the field. And it wasn’t Brock Purdy. I say the Packers beat themselves. Brock Purdy is very much a system QB with obvious limitations. He needs a perfect roster, just like Aaron, to be effective. There’s no way Brock Purdy takes the youngest team in football deep in the playoffs.
In the coming years the 49er window will begin to close. This will require Brock Purdy to carry the team with lesser talent around him. I say he won’t be able to. Purdy is more like a Derek Carr/Jimmy Garappolo. While I see a little Patrick Mahomes in Jordan Love. Regardless of the outcome of the game last week. We got the better QB and it isn’t even close…
Tom M 22 mins ago
” From watching that game, it became obvious who the better QB was on the field. And it wasn’t Brock Purdy.”
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Yes Tommi, all Brock Purdy did was lead his team on a game winning 4th quarter drive to reach the NFCCG.
When our QB, threw a high school look alike wobbly pass across the field into triple coverage that ended in a easily predicted 2nd interception, sealing the game for the 49ers.
So Clearly, as Tommi said….Brock Purdy was NOT the best QB on the field that day.
So SMART….So BRILLIANT!!
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Tommi…..Brock Purdy was a 7th round, last pick of the draft, the 262nd pick…
He has a career 68.7 completion rate.
He has thrown 44 TD’s to 15 interceptions
He has a career 111.4 passer rating.
Not impressed Tommi?
That is IMPRESSIVE for a #1 overall pick dumb F!!
This guy was the last pick of the draft…Mr irrelevant.
So i ask you this Tommi.
Can you show any respect whatsoever to Brock Purdy?
Does he deserve….anything?
Or do you just like spitting on people not named Brady, Holmes, and Love?
I’m not asking to be mean, but why are you such an a ss hole all the time?
Maybe in your world…. the 49ers should have tanked the season to get a new QB, idk.
No response is expected, citing the fact you have no soul, or character.
All Brock Purdy has done being a 2nd year starting NFL QB is win 4 of 5 playoff games, and is now headed to the Super Bowl.
What a total loser.
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Who…once said not long ago….”If Jordan Love keeps improving, he could turn into the next Brock Purdy”?
Care to take a guess on who said that……Flip Flop?
My thoughts exactly. We all remember Tom talking Purdy up with his comparisons that he loves to throw around. Now all of a sudden Purdy is being grouped with the dreaded Aaron Rodgers who “needs a perfect roster to do anything.”
Such a Flip Flop.