Looking to 2023: Packers Can’t Keep Bakhtiari

Difficult decisions have to be made if Green Bay is going to compete.

Yippee, the Packers beat the Bears. If you’d rather have that fleeting satisfaction than a top-10 draft pick, then all we can do to find common ground is to pour each other a beer and toast Christian Watson.

Because that’s the trade-off the Packers made, and appear intent on continuing to make. But there’s nothing to be done now except look ahead. I wrote last week that all that matters is 2023, so how about for the remainder of the year we examine what the front office should and shouldn’t do by position group, with the team’s dire salary-cap situation in mind. 

A lot of questions have been raised over the past several weeks about whether there’s a disconnect between what the coaching staff wants to run on the field and the personnel the front office is providing.

I don’t buy it (and I’m more concerned with the disconnect between the offense Matt LaFleur wants to run and what Aaron Rodgers wants to do.)  

I’m also not in the camp that believes Brian Gutekunst has failed when it comes to roster building. We can all quibble with individual decisions, but no GMs are perfect, and they all whiff on draft picks and player moves every year. With a couple of exceptions, most glaring of which was the Rodgers contract (which was unlikely his decision alone), Gute’s record is solid, from the signing of the Smiths to drafting difference-makers such as Jaire, Rashan Gary, Elgton Jenkins, and the most recent class: Watson, Doubs, Zach Tom, Quay Walker and we’ll see about a couple of others. The team’s problems have been more a function of coaching (special teams and D), and scheme.

It seems clear that the team hopes to go into 2023 with Rodgers and Love again, which means the focus should still be on maximizing the shrinking window of 12’s career. 

The team is currently staring at salary-cap room of $4.2 million, with a whopping 16 unrestricted free agents, so a lot needs to give if the team is going to have the flexibility to fill some key roster holes. 

Let’s start with the offensive line. Tom, a fourth rounder, has been a rookie revelation at left tackle, providing the team with an opportunity to move on from David Bakhtiari, as hard as that would be and as much as it would upset Rodgers. But the savings could be as much as $17 million. Given 69’s injury history, maybe he’d take a big cut to come back and provide depth, but otherwise it is time to move on.

Jenkins seems well-suited at left guard, but is a free agent who has earned a significant payday. It’s going to take some maneuvering to keep him, and it might not be possible. Third rounder Sean Rhyan has been a mysterious non-factor, offering no reason to believe he can step in, meaning the Packers would have to find a journeyman or hope to get lucky in the draft again. 

Center Josh Myers, a draft pick I thought was a mistake given that top center Creed Humphrey was still on the board, is serviceable and could improve. Right Guard Jon Runyan is about the same; serviceable with upside. Both are still on rookie deals. Royce Newman looks like a bust.

Then there is free agent Yosh Nijman, who has settled in and stabilized the right tackle situation. It will cost the team some money to keep him, so it’s unlikely they can keep both Jenkins and Nijman. I think they should, but they are also going to need depth to protect against injury. 

The good news is that the O-line is not the biggest problem facing the team, with a solid, young core that isn’t overly costly. The bad news is there is no depth to speak of, and if Jenkins and Nijman get lured away by money elsewhere, the team is going to have to invest heavily to replace their level of play.

Next week: The skill positions on offense.

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__________________________
Jonathan Krim grew up in New York but got hooked on the Packers — and on hating the Cowboys — watching the Ice Bowl as a young child.  He blames bouts of unhappiness in his late teens on Dan Devine. A journalist for several decades who now lives in California, he enjoys trafficking in obscure cultural references, lame dad jokes and occasionally preposterous takes. Jonathan is a Packers shareholder, and insists on kraut with his brats. You can follow Jonathan on twitter at @Jkrim.

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5 points
 

Comments (124)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
LambeauPlain's picture

December 09, 2022 at 06:29 am

The Packers made Bakht the 2nd highest paid OL in NFL to essentially rehab for $23 million per year.

Injuries and illnesses happen and that is not Dave's fault...but if any NFL player would consider a home team discount in a reworked contract to stay with his team, you'd think Bakhtiari would do so.

Z Smith could have, but perceived some lack of love from the team during his multimillion $$$ rehab, so he stormed off the team heading to the Ugly Purple.

How would Dave respond to a more team friendly contract? I wonder what his best friend, #12, would advise?

8 points
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Ferrari-Driver's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:28 am

His best friend could always consider lowering his $150 million three year contract and fork over 10-15 to keep Dave, but don't hold your breath.

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LambeauPlain's picture

December 09, 2022 at 11:27 am

FD, I exhaled immediately after I read your comment.

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Oppy's picture

December 10, 2022 at 06:44 am

Well played!

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GregC's picture

December 09, 2022 at 06:29 am

Well said. I have never been an advocate of tanking to get a higher draft pick. When they are mathematically eliminated, play Jordan Love. That's it. I agree that Gutekunst has mostly done a good job of building the roster and that the burdensome Rodgers contract was probably not his decision alone. The organization has gotten itself into a difficult situation with Rodgers. I'm not looking forward to having him back next year. He's like an entertaining houseguest who has overstayed his welcome. I still hope they can find a way to move on from him.

11 points
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Johnf's picture

December 10, 2022 at 10:53 am

if that what you think you are not much of a packer fan

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Razer's picture

December 09, 2022 at 06:46 am

...A lot of questions have been raised over the past several weeks about whether there’s a disconnect between what the coaching staff wants to run on the field and the personnel the front office is providing...

The team plays a 3-4 defense and has drafted 1 good lineman and one promising linebacker in 10 years. There is a persistent disconnect between the scheme being used and the resources provided.

The mistakes being made in the draft and on contracts can't be taken out on the O-line. The O-line is the foundation of the offense. We saw what the early season miscasting did to both the run and pass game. If the front office can't find a way to keep talent in the trenches then a total rebuild is in order. Bakhtiari may have to go because of contract and injury but getting rid of any more talent WITHOUT a plan to replace is offensive suicide. Sorry, get rid of defense first.

2 points
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T7Steve's picture

December 09, 2022 at 07:38 am

Right on the spot Razer. I've made myself (and I'm sure all of you) sick going on and on about not worrying about anything else till the O and D lines are set. As we've seen over the last 4 years (30 years?), If you're getting dominated at the LOS, it doesn't matter who's under center or who he gives the ball to. Start on the lines, THEN worry about the rest.

You can't be successful with just one or the other you have to have BOTH. Look at Dallas a couple years ago. They had the best and most dominant O-line I've seen in decades. They didn't have the D-line to back it up. This year because of injuries/free agency they have a serviceable O-line, but the D is backing them up. Makes all the difference in the world. They might come against an opponent this year in the Eagles with better lines and that will be the difference. Those lines might make their quarterbacks MVP candidates this year. See what came first?

5 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 07:58 am

We need to rebuild with the OL and DL being top priorities. I 100% agree with you.

Look at Philly. The reason why their offense is the best in the league is because they have the best OL in the league, which makes all aspects of their offense better, passing and rushing. Same with Dallas as of late (they had some guys injured to open up the season).

Dallas and Philly are #1 and #2, respectively, for most sacks in the league. Philly leads the league in turnover differential. Dallas has been dealing with lots of injuries at the CB position, yet they are still the best defense in the NFL. Why? It is all because of their powerful D-lines. I posted earlier about how Dallas’ success comes from their DL model, and how the Packers should follow that mode in the coming years.

Also that is a testament to Dallas’ coaching that their backup CBs are doing so well. But it is easier on them when you have a DL of that caliber.

5 points
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Coldworld's picture

December 09, 2022 at 09:16 am

We are constantly rebuilding on the OL. It’s early yet, but if Tom holds up, he will be better for an off season in the training program. We have Nijman at RT and two interesting projects in Walker and Jones at T. I think Jenkins play has been reascending over recent weeks too. Runyon has been improving as he settles in at RG. Im concerned by what us behind them and still unsure about Myers. I expect additions to the center/Guard positions.

DL is just a mystery, but I think it reflects the attitude of Pettine to DL as well as Barry. However, we’ve got players like Slaton and Wyatt, who look to be better to me for the future and actually possibly now, than those ahead of them. Ford I don’t really have a handle on.

To me the issue is usage on both lines this year. I don’t understand the fixation with Lowry. I firmly believe we go 2DL excessively and this sometimes inappropriately. I’d like to see more of guys like Heflin and Slayton too. Perhaps the building blocks are there already if coupled with better personnel usage.

On the OL, I simply do not know what the thinking was with Hanson’s promotion. I understand the injuries, but the response seems to have been a mess. Now that it’s settling, the OL is looking much better. It helps greatly that Watson has stopped the entire O occurring within 5 yards. LaFleur created a nightmare for any OL.

As for Bakh, given our cap position particularly, but not because of it, it’s probably time to move on if Tom continues to look good. In the cap era it’s not sustainable to pay heavily when more affordable youth is available. Bakh will always need a competent back up week to week and in games now. It’s looking like time to move on and let somebody else take that risk.

We could play Tom or Jenkins at C, keep Bakh and have Jones or Walker back him up, but if Tom plays well at LT, that’s not really a value use of him and I wouldn’t want our next best T moving in games or week to week to accommodate Bakh. Settled is an extremely desirable quality in the OL. That is why resilience is so important.

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PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 11:45 am

Just remember, Gutey has only been the GM since 2018, and the jury is still out on a lot of the 2021 and 2022 draftees.

Hits: Alexander, Gary, Jenkins, Runyan, Deguara (I think)

Busts: Savage (though he did have a couple of good years), Newman, Kamal Martin, Jace Sternberger, J'Mon Moore

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tincada's picture

December 09, 2022 at 04:06 pm

3 hits and 6 busts per your observation. And you need more time? I'm going to try that with my bank. Hey I've made 3 of the last 9 mortgage payments. Give me a break.

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jlc1's picture

December 11, 2022 at 04:44 pm

We all know banks expect 100% performance. 100% performance on draft picks is not realistic. Is 33%, as is suggested here, realistic?

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jannes bjornson's picture

December 09, 2022 at 01:15 pm

They needed to bring in the OT by the second round in the 2022 draft. Now the snowball effect is back in play. No, you cannot feel safe with Gutedkunst running the personnel dept.

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Oppy's picture

December 10, 2022 at 07:48 am

For what it's worth, the Packers have had success hitting on OL across pretty much all rounds of the draft over the last 30 years; exception - rounds 5 and 6. and even then we pulled Corey Linsley and Marco Rivera out of those rounds.

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jannes bjornson's picture

December 10, 2022 at 08:03 am

That was then, this is now.

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MooPack's picture

December 09, 2022 at 07:02 am

Happy for a week or happy for potentially 5-10 years? Hmmm... tough call.

5 points
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Razer's picture

December 09, 2022 at 07:18 am

I like how you boiled it down. Seems like too many are taking the one more kick at the can approach.

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Coldworld's picture

December 09, 2022 at 09:25 am

That could be said of the whole leadership approach.

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PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 07:18 am

Excellent article, Jonathan. I agree completely with you.

As you said, this team has a lot of holes and not a lot of salary cap flexibility. It will take lots of adjustment to be able to bring back parts of this currently 5-8 roster next season, let alone actually make it better.

To this I would ask: What is the point? Why should we be entering 2023 in a win-now mode if there is a very small chance that we’ll actually win? In my opinion, the best (and fastest way) to transform this 5-8 team back into a true contender is to embrace a rebuild. The Packers should must sacrifice what little odds we have of winning in 2023 so our odds of success are much, much greater in 2024 rather than trying to maximize what little chance we have of winning in 2023 and dig us even deeper into a future hole. They must act responsibly for the actions that allowed them to contend in 2021 and 2022; I see 2023 as a year where we trade veteran players for draft picks and try to build a foundation of young, cheap talent for the next era of Packers football while absorbing the cap hits from ‘21 and ‘20. Then, in 2024, we will have an incredible foundation of you players and lots of cap space that will allow us to sign some free agents and act like a contending team again.

As far as handling the OL goes, I would cut Bakhtiari post-June first, which will give us 17m of cap space then. Newman I would cut. Nijman I would re-sign. We can offer his a second-round RFA tender for a little over 4m, which means if he signs elsewhere we get a compensatory second-round pick, or we could give him a first-round tender for just under 7m, which does the same thing except with a first-round pick instead of a second. For Elgton Jenkins, I would place the franchise tag on him and trade him to an OL needy team (like the Raiders or Steelers) for a 2nd round pick. According to my calculations, it would be too cumbersome cap-wise to sign him to a new deal, and doing so would only hamper our future cap with another big deal. We can replace him in the draft.

Agree that the Myers over Humphrey (who leads all centers in pass block win rate) pick was a disaster.

I disagree that Rodgers will be back. I know MLF wants him to come, but even if he actually feels that way, he doesn’t make decisions. Gutekunst does, and what he said in his press conference was essentially: “we’ll have that talk with Rodgers in the off-season” I did get the impression that he liked Love very much, and with Rodgers’ recent comment about how there needs to be “mutual interest” for him to come back, I think that a trade is actually the most likely option, probably to the Jets. A trade would also get us excellent 2023 draft capital, providing it is done Pre-June first, which I think it should be.

2 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

December 09, 2022 at 08:44 am

Well explained Packy and I am on same page with all you shared. 100%

Be nice to keep Jenkins but if reasonable but I don't want another Bachtiari contract.

1 points
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CheeseEdWest2's picture

December 09, 2022 at 09:56 am

Seems to me there is a trail blazed from GB to the Jets for QB's in their twilight years (BF). There's a map already...

0 points
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Packerpasty's picture

December 09, 2022 at 06:03 pm

No one is trading for Rodgers and he isn't retiring he would be foolish to with the amount of money owed by playing next year...quit with the fantasy...he's the Packers QB next season...

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PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 09:16 pm

What do you mean? There are several teams that would love to have a future HOF QB on their team. The Jets I think are the most likely because Rodgers knows and respects their coaches, the Jets’ roster is one of the best in the league, but they are being held back from SB contention by poor QB. Mike White isn’t anything except a second-rate Taylor Heineke.

I have heard many Jets fans who would love to have Rodgers as their QB; that would establish them firmly as Contenders. They have a great defense, multiple deep threats, 2 star RBs and 2 star TEs. Rodgers would love it there with all of the weapons, and it would give him an actual chance of winning a ring before he retires. And don’t give me any of the “his contract won’t allow it;” it is perfectly feasible for the Jets to take him on; they’d be paying him 15.5m and 31m cap hits in 2023 and ‘24, respectively, before the hits for ‘25 and ‘26 get larger. Still, that is an incredible bargain for a future HOF QB not to mention that will be fully healthy next year. We would take on 40m of dead money, but we would pay him anyway if he stayed and it isn’t as bad as it sounds.

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stockholder's picture

December 09, 2022 at 07:38 am

They'll cross that road when they get to it. We still have a lot of football to go. If they want to tank, Don't pay them.

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PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 07:51 am

Do you really think they will make the playoffs?

2 points
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stockholder's picture

December 09, 2022 at 01:08 pm

I think they are able. As long as this team scores points.

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BirdDogUni's picture

December 09, 2022 at 04:36 pm

This team can score points, win out, and still not make the playoffs. Our destiny isn't in our hands. Besides, it doesn't matter how many points we score with Joe Berry as DC. We likely won't be able to keep up.

2 points
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tincada's picture

December 09, 2022 at 04:10 pm

No and HELL NO!

2 points
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croatpackfan's picture

December 09, 2022 at 07:41 am

First of all, we might have insight what is written in players contracts, but we do not know what deals might heppened behind close door. Early in the training camp there was information than ACR has no trade clause in his contract (but that was not confirmed), just to find put that there is no such clause in the contract. So, maybe there was "gentlemen agreement" that ACR either play for Packers or he will retire. And that might be in form of some signed agreement, besides the contract. I admit that I have no knowledge if that kind of agreement is even possible w/o report to the NFL.

On the other side, this season ACR looks to me as he is already boring playing football and that is why he tried so many deep balls with wish to finish the possesion ASAP. He has no patience to move the chains down the field 10 to 15 yards by 10 to 15 yards. I might be wrong, but it looks like that. Saying that, I still believe he wants to win. I have no doubts about that. But he is "complicated fella".

Regarding other expensive players, we have to accept that Packers will need to clean some of those players in the offseason. Will they? This is million dollars question.

Somehow, I believe that FO has some kind of plan how to solve it. And I do not buy in ACR statement that he is not willing to play for team which is in rebuilding. That is in contradiction with his statement that he wants to finish his career in Green Bay and be one of rare QBs who played for one team only.

I was clear that Packers are 2 years late regarding trade of ACR. First and the most important reason is his personality. Second is Father time, who catched him silently. My position is that it is always better to trade player one year early than one (or more in this case) to late.

I still can not digest that team did not grant him a wish to never again play for Packers. You do not come with that kind if statement if you are not 1000% sure in your decision. Especially not in the eve of the first day of draft. When they not trade him then, they surely had to after his press conference at the beginning of the TC that season. I can only imagine how team felt listening his diarrhea that day.

ACR claiming that he is the reason why player wants to play for Packers. Well, one future HOF player ran away from him. And one OLB did the same. One very popular DL long time ago left the football way to early, too. So those data does not confirm his statement either.

The result of his actions are this SC situation, as it is. I agree that he is not directly "guilty" for that huge, SC crippling contract, but that contract is clear evidence how small and freighten mouse are Packers FO, leading by Mark Murphy.

Unfortunatelly, that plan I was talking about might not be enough to keep Packers relevant next season and who knows how many more.

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PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 07:53 am

They should clean out players in the off-season; most of the veterans, I would recommend. We need to have a salary cap “reset” so that we can enter a new era of Packers football.

I actually think a trade is the most likely outcome of the off-season. If you are correct about Rodgers being “bored” than he would like being on a team like the Jets, with a good O-line, multiple deep threats, two star running backs, and two starting-caliber TEs. Not to mention one of the best defenses in the league. See my post above for my take on a trade.

1 points
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Leatherhead's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:10 am

That's kind of my thinking too, 500. All along the line, trade off the high dollar vets....what we get in return is kind of secondary in importance to the cap relief.

Not only Rodgers, which would reduce his cap hit to $40 million spread over two years, but we'd save $17 million by trading Bakhtiari, $16 million by trading Jones. That's a lot of salary cap relief, and some draft picks, by just making those three moves.

I'd keep everybody who is still on their rookie deal. Nijman and Jenkins would be my priority resigns because I think the Offensive Line is/should be the priority. Then Lazard. I also think these guys like Nixon and Ford should be kept and I don't think it would cost an arm and a leg.

Rodgers does not have a no trade clause, so we could trade him anywhere and his only recourse would be to retire. But it's always better if things are done on a cooperative basis, and if Rodgers wants to go to...the Titans, or some place, then all the parties could benefit by making it happen. There's no real advantage that I see in the Packers "forcing" Rodgers to go somewhere he doesn't want to go.

2 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:35 am

We don't need to trade Jones or Bakhtiari. We can just cut them. If someone is willing to give draft capital for them, then we will trade them, but I don't think that is too likely. Players like Preston Smith, Aaron Rodgers, or possibly Kenny Clark could garner some attention, though.

Nijman should be easy to keep; the Packers can offer him an RFA tender. I would use the franchise tag on Jenkins and trade him to an OL needy team (Raiders, Steelers) for a 2nd rounder. I don't think the Packers' 2023 cap could handle another big deal, and having a large contract wouldn't benefit our future salary cap prospects. We can draft a replacement. Peter Skoronski of Northwestern, O'Cyrus Torrence of Florida, and Andrew Vorhees of USC are all good 2023 Guard prospects.

Lazard we could re-sign if he accepts a cheap enough deal; however I wouldn't propritize him since he'll be 28 next offseason. We could draft 1 or 2 more WRs in 2023, though, and Cobb could return on a 1-year deal that is near the veteran minimum. Winfree is always there, too. Nixon and Ford should both be brought back easily, and I'd also like to see Krys Barnes and Justin Hollins return too.

Agree with your take on Rodgers and your take that we should trade the veterans.

-2 points
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wildbill's picture

December 09, 2022 at 12:48 pm

It takes two to tango, very bold to assume we will be able to get good trades for our veterans you want to dump.

3 points
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Leatherhead's picture

December 09, 2022 at 12:55 pm

I'll take 7th round picks. The chief benefit is the salary cap relief. The reason a team would trade is that it keeps the player off the waiver wire, where anybody could claim him.

Jones, Bakhtiari, and Rodgers would all start for quite a few teams. They have a value.

0 points
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BirdDogUni's picture

December 09, 2022 at 04:44 pm

I believe if we were to trade all three, we could easily end up with a 1st round pick, 2nd round pick, and a third round pick.

That would go a long way to rebuilding this team if Gutey and our scouting department actually hit on all three of them.

A good GM could probably get more, IDK.

Aaron Rodgers should bring at least a 1st, even considering this year. One of the best LTs in the league who likely has a couple more years should easily bring a 2nd round pick, even with his contract.

Aaron Jones for a 3rd round pick, if he would rework his deal with his new team is a steal. Proven RB, Pass Pro protector, and decent receiver out of the backfield and he shows no signs of slowing down.

The biggest obstacle is making Gutey see the writing on the wall.

0 points
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Leatherhead's picture

December 09, 2022 at 06:35 pm

You’re a little more optimistic than I am BDU. But it seems we agree these guys have value. Anything would be gravy, and we might get more than 3 7th round picks.

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Oppy's picture

December 10, 2022 at 08:02 am

I don't believe in cutting any/all high paid vets just to increase cap.
Yes, you need cap space to rebuild a roster, but you still need talent on the team to promote growth, and when you're rebuilding with drafted youth, there's automatically cap relief to be found for a few years due to rookie contracts. Rodgers' contract damage and the subsequent re-working of many vet salaries in back-loaded fashion has already taken its toll. I would be cautious of throwing the baby out with the bath water at this point.

Bakhtiari is a guy who two years ago I would have been all about keeping on board for the transition to Love (or whoever the post-AR QB is) but health and the Packers choice to pass on the transition window have now made him expendable at his age and cap hit.

Aaron Jones? I know he has a massive cap hit coming, but those types of poison pill escalators are generally worked into contracts with the idea that they never really happen- in other words, it forces both sides back to the negotiating table where they either work out a long term extension that spreads the money out and gives the player what they usually want (which is long term security), or the player and the team part ways before the hit. In Jones' case, I would work out a long term deal and retain him. He's a valuable home run hitting back who still has a ton of tread left on him, and a game changing RB can greatly ease transition during a rebuild.

0 points
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croatpackfan's picture

December 10, 2022 at 04:16 am

I'm all in for get rid of ACR, somehow I think they will not do it. If they do, I would be really surprised, of course pleasently surprised.

I already asked if there is possibility to make deal with trade partner to take over 40-50% of his contract and lower draft pick just to pull out substantial pressure from our SC. I believe it is feasible, just can't see any team, GMs or HC who would like to take that hot potato in their hands.

0 points
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Lphill's picture

December 09, 2022 at 08:00 am

all good points about the O line and some difficult decisions ahead, I am more concerned about Joe Barry who hopefully is replaced by Jim Leonhard, this two down lineman has to go, Wyatt is going to be a beast next season ,right now the best D line combo is Wyatt, Clark and Slayton I know off topic but this bugs me.

7 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 08:04 am

We will add another early in the draft, hopefully. Bryan Bresee of Clemson (early first round), Zacch Pickens of South Carolina (early-mid 2nd), and Byron Young of Alabama (late 2nd) are my favorite prospects.

Wyatt is still a relative unknown, but he has sure flashed!

1 points
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dobber's picture

December 09, 2022 at 09:13 am

If the plan is to "clear out veterans, fix the cap, and be ready in 2024" then don't hamstring yourself to any position in either of the 2023 or 2024 drafts.

3 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:12 am

I know. There are multiple good prospects at many positions in the upcoming draft.

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Leatherhead's picture

December 09, 2022 at 01:27 pm

Personally, I think we could clear out the old guys and fix the cap and still put a pretty good team on the field in 23.

Love at QB. Dillon and Taylor at RB. Nijman, Runyan, Jenkins, Myers, Tom on the offensive line, backed up by Mt. Caleb, Walker, Hanson, Newman, and Rhyan (uggh..) Watson, Doubs, Toure at WR, Deguara at TE.

That's without any help in the draft, or any FA transactions. As long as our offensive line stayed healthy, we'd be competitive.

Defensively, we'll have Clark, Wyatt, and Slaton, a good linebacking crew of Campbell and Walker inside, Gary and PSmith on the edges. Alexander, Stokes, Douglas, Savage, Nixon, Carpenter in the secondary......

Again, this is without adding anybody. This is just subtracting some older vets. And I think it'd be competitive in 2023.

0 points
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BirdDogUni's picture

December 09, 2022 at 05:14 pm

Lh - I would have to agree with you, wholeheartedly.

I would add Kingsley Enagbare to the list. He's really shown he's at least worthy of reps if not quite a game changer yet.

Add in the possible draft picks from trading those veterans, our normal draft picks, and we could be even better on paper than we have been for a long time.

Granted, Love will have his growing pains, but I believe the asset of youth will serve him well and he'll be perfect for MaLF's system. (One of the only reasons I hope MaLF stays at least one more year.) It is possible for MaLF to grow as a HC too. Maybe if AR is taking snaps with another team, MaLF will actually start coaching again?

I just hope Gutey doesn't put the franchise on autopilot and ride with the status quo.

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HarryHodag's picture

December 09, 2022 at 08:23 am

Professionals play to win regardless of standings. Losers play to get a hypothetical draft pick that has a 50 percent chance of washing out. The Packers are winners.

At some point the 'faithful' will realize the draft is not the pot-of-gold all the draft freaks think it is. It is one mechanism to improve the team. It can also be a bust.

It sickens me when 'fans' think that the team has to play the back ups so the team 'can find out what they have'. The coaches have been around these players for a long time this season. They know what they have.

Back to David B: I agree he must go, sadly. The problem now is 'all in' hasn't worked. Now what?

2 points
9
7
PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:22 am

Back ups? What about young players? Such as Samori Toure and Devonte Wyatt, who have not gotten the opportunities to show what they can do despite immense promise? The thing is, playing the young players/backups wouldn't make the team any worse- the players that Wyatt and Toure would be replacing (Lowry and Watkins) aren't even that good. I think it is good to explore our future. And again, I am not saying bench Lowry or Watkins. I am just saying relegate them to a back-burner while giving Wyatt and Toure more attention.

While practice may help the players, nothing can compensate for experience. Experience of being in a live game and playing real NFL snaps.

I would also like see more young players, such as Tyler Goodson and Micah Abernathy, being mixed into the action. I am not saying to replace Aaron Jones with Goodson; I'm just saying give him a few snaps here and there to see what they can do. Same with Abernathy; perhaps even more so with him since the Packers' safeties are so mediocre, at best.

The draft is not a solve-all solution; however, it sure helps. One good thing is that the 2023 draft class is expected to be one of the highest quality classes in a long time.

Also, I agree that teams should always play to win, no matter who is playing

As far as the "now what," I have been tooting this horn for a while, but I believe it's time for a rebuild

3 points
5
2
croatpackfan's picture

December 09, 2022 at 02:55 pm

"The coaches have been around these players for a long time this season. They know what they have."

At the moment it does not looks they do...

2 points
2
0
tincada's picture

December 09, 2022 at 04:13 pm

"the draft is not the pot-of-gold all the draft freaks think it is". Tell that to Ted T aka Gutey.

-2 points
2
4
PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:14 pm

Free agency isn't the solve-all either - there have been many Free Agent busts, especially this season. Allen Robinson, Chase Edmonds, J.C. Jackson, C.J. Uzomah... the list goes on and on

-1 points
1
2
mrtundra's picture

December 09, 2022 at 08:27 am

I think that if Rodgers were to leave, Bakhtiari would go with him. You'd see Cobb doing the same. I do not think it entered Bakh's mind that he may be dealt, cut, released, by the front office, before he was ready to call it quits. I think the Front Office has made the decision, already, to let Bakh go. I think Bakh was waiting for Rodgers to exit, so he can go, too. Then, Cobb will leave, as well, and maybe even Crosby. If the Packers release or trade Bakh, it will affect Rodgers's decision on whether to stay for next season. The cap hit from Rodgers's exit, before next season, will be a huge one, that the Packers may not be able to fix without cuts and/or restructures to other players and their contracts. I'm not looking forward to this off season. This team will be very different from the one that takes the field, next season.

0 points
3
3
Coldworld's picture

December 09, 2022 at 09:39 am

Crosby is out of contract and is losing leg strength. I think he’s gone regardless. Cobb was always expected to be gone after this year. When Bakh signed his contract the expectation that it was really a deal through this year. It’s just time. It moves on inexorably. Lewis is another, though he just likes playing and might, like Cobb stay if offered. Both are cheap for that reason. Crosby and Bakh are not. Trying to pause time on others to make Rodgers happy or to improve his chances in paper becomes self defeating. We are at the point where we need to face that regardless of what Rodgers does.

4 points
4
0
PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:23 am

I wouldn't be surprised if Crosby retires. How about we try the Practice Squad kicker Ramiz Ahmed? He has a very strong leg

3 points
3
0
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

December 09, 2022 at 12:57 pm

MT,
Actually I'm hoping the team that takes the field next year is different than this year. Depending on extra draft capital and cap casualties there could be a lot of changes. Change can be good if done well.

3 points
3
0
BirdDogUni's picture

December 09, 2022 at 08:32 am

*As long as Joe Berry is the DC, we're tanking. (Whether we want to or not.)

If the FO was serious about winning, Berry would be unemployed.

The caveat is: If the defense plays the next 4 games flying to the ball, making plays, and stopping the run "despite" Berry, we have a chance to win out.

The FO is forced to make decisions every off-season. Last off-season, they made some of the stupidest decisions possible when you're talking about the future of the Green Bay Packers.

Winning Championships is supposed to be all this franchise is concerned with. Unfortunately, the poor decisions from the decision makers have painted us into a corner which will make winning a championship in the near future considerably more difficult.

We need better decision makers.

Period.

15 points
15
0
dobber's picture

December 09, 2022 at 09:15 am

We need the Board to be the Board and the GM to be the GM.

8 points
8
0
BirdDogUni's picture

December 09, 2022 at 07:57 pm

The problem is, the Team President is acting like he's the GM. GM doesn't have much power at all.

Some of those people up in Green Bay need to rile up a couple Board Members...

Tell them how stupid they are to let Murphy run this team into the ground with his BS Dictatorship Hierarchy.

Couple of those board members probably think of themselves as pretty big men. A couple of you local GBP fans need to prop up them Board Members, convince them they'll be saving Packer Football for generations. ; )

3 points
3
0
stockholder's picture

December 09, 2022 at 01:29 pm

But in Gutey you trust. Why? Until Love fails? The winning was why they wanted Rodgers Back. Even Bahk.

-4 points
2
6
croatpackfan's picture

December 09, 2022 at 03:07 pm

Your man crush fell down hard - in one off season. When you will understand that Packers were, are and will exsist, while ACR will not.

I also can imagine you.. 15 to 20 years from now how defending Jordan Love and spit on new Packers QB, who would replace Love.

Suffer my friend. The reality is cruel for those who are unwilling to accept itđ

-1 points
2
3
Packerpasty's picture

December 09, 2022 at 06:08 pm

and your silly hate runs deeper than ever...funny shit dude...

-1 points
1
2
croatpackfan's picture

December 10, 2022 at 08:33 am

hate to who or what?

-2 points
0
2
barutanseijin's picture

December 09, 2022 at 06:33 pm

They brought back Rodgers for the winning? So where’s the winning?

2 points
2
0
Oppy's picture

December 11, 2022 at 11:54 am

It's always amazing to me that so many Packers fans didn't learn a god damned thing from 2005.

As I young man I always wondered why 'history repeats itself', and as an older man I now get it. Most people don't learn.

0 points
0
0
LeotisHarris's picture

December 09, 2022 at 08:33 am

Yeah, I'll be sorry to see Dave go, but it's time. There's a guy who exceeded expectations, was rewarded for that hard work only to have his body give out. It's easy to get attached to players like him, and difficult to see them leave.

8 points
8
0
BirdDogUni's picture

December 09, 2022 at 08:54 am

True Story!

NFL is a game of replacement.

NFL is a young man's game.

Cliché's are cliché's for a reason! ; )

My hope for Bakh is: Tom starts the next three games at LT, cements his lock on the LT position for the future!

Bakh starts the final game against the Lions, plays the first series, and comes out of the game to a standing ovation. (That goes for AR and Aaron Jones too!)

As soon as the new league year starts, we somehow find a way to trade him to a contender and he's able to play his last two years chasing a ring.

3 points
5
2
PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:39 am

I don't know about trading him...teams might be wary considering his large salary and injury history...I think he may retire, after all of the injuries he's dealt with.

I hope Tom is the future too! Even demonstrating promise would be good enough for me. If he can bulk up, he can turn into a pro bowl caliber player

-1 points
2
3
BirdDogUni's picture

December 09, 2022 at 05:32 pm

I think Bakhtiari has at least a couple years left. I believe he's almost back to 100 percent on his knee. Once he recovers from the appendectomy, it should be about the time for the Lions game. Perfect time to set up a going away party. He's been a rock at LT for us, I think he deserves to be traded to a contender. It will probably be at least two years before we're really ready to make a run. Same goes for AR and Aaron Jones.

2 points
2
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

December 09, 2022 at 08:56 am

It is highly unlikely to get $17M in cap savings by trading Bakh.

7 points
8
1
HarryHodag's picture

December 09, 2022 at 09:14 am

Thanks reynoldo. I thought the $17 mill figure was out of whack.

2 points
2
0
T7Steve's picture

December 09, 2022 at 09:15 am

The CAP is not in my understanding. He says we have 4.2 mil. Someone else said we're way over the estimated cap for 2023.

Where are we really at? I know they have ways of wiggling around it too. It seems like a fake wall the NFL puts up to create another game in the game and to put something between the fans and the players. The NFL wants the players to be the bad guys for wanting to get paid while 32 organizations split half of all the money.

Does anyone know?

2 points
3
1
PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:27 am

If we cut or trade him pre-June first, we save 5.9m.
If we cut or trade him post-June first, we save 17m.

I think the most likely outcome is to cut him post June first. I think it would be hard to find a trade partner given his injury history and his salary, plus we will need the cap relief in 2023.

-2 points
1
3
Leatherhead's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:27 am

According to spotrac.com, this morning, we're about $57K over the projected 2023 cap. But that changes all the time.

3 points
3
0
Coldworld's picture

December 09, 2022 at 09:45 am

Agreed, but the scale of the savings isn’t the reason. What we can get is, partly, alongside what he represents in terms of risk.

4 points
4
0
PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:27 am

If we cut or trade him pre-June first, we save 5.9m.
If we cut or trade him post-June first, we save 17m.

I think the most likely outcome is to cut him post June first. I think it would be hard to find a trade partner given his injury history and his salary, plus we will need the cap relief in 2023.

-4 points
0
4
BirdDogUni's picture

December 09, 2022 at 05:43 pm

I think you're underestimating how much teams need a LT like Bahk. There are at least 15 teams in the league who have lesser LTs. I don't think we'd have any trouble finding a trade partner, but when we do, I hope it's a contender who gets him.

3 points
3
0
Leatherhead's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:17 am

You're going to have to explain that to me. When I go to Spotrac, I see about $17 million in salary, roster bonus, and workout bonus that would not have to be paid if he was traded. We'd still be on the hook for about $13 million, which is the remainder of his signing bonus, plus about another $10 million in restructured money. So that's $23 million we can't do much about.

I believe than when you trade a player, it doesn't accelerate all that cap hit to one year. Is that correct?

EDIT:xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I went back to spotrac and ran the scenario where we trade Rodgers, Bakhtiari, and Jones. It said it actually cost us $8 million to trade Rodgers, Bakhtiari is only about $6 million in savings, and Jones is about $10 million. We'd have a whopping total of about $85 million in dead cap for one year.

I'd still do it. I'd use whatever picks we got, and I'd trade down, and I'd fill in the roster with draft picks. A year from now, we could have an expanded nucleus of players on their rookie deals and a salary cap that would allow us to fill in some pieces.

-1 points
3
4
PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:27 am

If we cut or trade him pre-June first, we save 5.9m.
If we cut or trade him post-June first, we save 17m.

I think the most likely outcome is to cut him post June first. I think it would be hard to find a trade partner given his injury history and his salary, plus we will need the cap relief in 2023.

-4 points
0
4
Coldworld's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:38 am

Bakhtiari has a cap hit of $29.07 million in 2023. We could create just under $6 million after the dead cap by releasing/trading Bakhtiari before June 1. A post June 1 release would spread the dead cap hit out and save about $17.5 million in cap 2023 by moving that into 2024. We would still be stuck with dead cap through the void years we added this year, till 2026 I think.

So big saving next year or the saving spread over 2 years? That’s a team choice if a partner can be found, but his departure by trade or release would mean a significant portion that can be relieved over the next two seasons or passed to a new team.

Bakh is good enough when healthy that I believe a team needing a LT will bite. We forget how few have 2 good Ts. The guaranteed portion ($ 30 million) of his deal stays with us, so his contract wouldn’t be overly burdensome.

2 points
2
0
PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:25 am

They could get 17m if they cut him post June 1st. I don't think anyone would want to trade for him because of his injury history, plus, the Packers need the cap relief.

-4 points
1
5
Leatherhead's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:33 am

You don't think there's a single team in the league that would pony up a 7th round pick for a starting LT?

I agree, the chief benefit is the cap relief, but Bakhtiari has some value in trade.

3 points
3
0
PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:42 am

I don't see the Packers trading him pre June first. That would provide only 5.9m of cap relief. They need the cap relief that a post June-first trade or cut could provide.

I think teams may have an issue with his 17m cap hit they'd have to take on combined with his injury unreliability. If someone offers something for him, then we should by all means take it or try to negotiate. I just don't think it is likely

-2 points
1
3
Leatherhead's picture

December 09, 2022 at 11:18 am

Even a 7th round pick keeps him off waivers. If I were a team that was close and had some money and needed a LT, I'd certainly go for that rather than take my chances on the waiver wire.

1 points
2
1
PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 11:47 am

And that's fine: What I'm saying is that one way or another, we need that 17m of cap savings

-4 points
0
4
tincada's picture

December 09, 2022 at 04:16 pm

Trade to who? With his injury history he's done

-4 points
0
4
Fubared's picture

December 10, 2022 at 10:22 pm

No one will touch him with his health and money situation.

1 points
1
0
Tully21's picture

December 09, 2022 at 09:21 am

Here's an idea: Rodgers and Bakhtiari renegotiate their contracts to give the Packers enough cap room to sign who they need to sign on the OL, buy some better talent for the front 7 on D AND pick up Jordan Love's option. Of course, this would run counter to everything the NFL is about (greed), but . . . it would certainly set Rodgers (and Bakhtiari) apart as true team players, and endear them to Packer fans for years to come in ways that we have not seen. We know image/brand/legacy matter to Rodgers, and that he likes to be a "disrupter". Here's a chance to do that in a very big way that might actually add value to his post-football life by showing the world he is really the "big think/big picture" guy he wants us to believe he is, and not the unrecontstructed hippy role he seems to have been playing of late.

The fact is that Rodgers is a de facto if not de jure part of management. If he isn't thinking this way, he probably should be.

4 points
5
1
Duneslick's picture

December 09, 2022 at 11:46 am

You understand renegotiating contract is what got us into this mess. It pushes the money on the cap into the future when the players are not worth it or there is NO salary cap room at all to even sign our own players. You start spiraling down at that point as your drafts cant even keep up with your free agent losses let alone improve the team

4 points
4
0
The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

December 09, 2022 at 09:24 pm

No thats restructuring. The player has no say in a team restructuring his contract which is what led to Zadarius Smith souring on the Packers. What the OP is calling for is a complete reworking of their contracts. Basically asking the players to take paycuts on a new contract. Nice thought in theory but its never gonna happen.

2 points
2
0
Packerpasty's picture

December 09, 2022 at 06:14 pm

thats quiet the fantasy...

2 points
2
0
canadapacker's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:01 am

From what I see Bak cap hit is $29 million next year - with a dead cap of $23 - so we save $6 million if we cut him. From a team perspective is it worth that - for a player who plays on one leg ? Maybe he might get back in shape maybe not - but I agree we have many pieces - Hanson is gone and we may need to draft in the later rounds some guys to bring along - we have other draft needs - Definitely will need to spend money on re-upping Nijman and Jenkins - Otherwise our Oline looks to be in half decent shape. Maybe the problem this year at the start was our Oline coach was not focusing on them - being promoted to OC and with the slow progress of Bak and Jenkins off of injury not much attention was place there obviously. I would like to see what Caleb brings to the table as he is much like Nijman was his first few years.
Somebody might take Bak - but why?
Finally after last nights game - maybe a good landing spot for AR might be the Raiders - the total incompetence of both Carr and Josh McDaniels - was quite obvious as was the skill and guts of Davante. What a better way to go out than with those guys teamed up with that defense -
And actually what is happening in New England - Josh should be returned as he has been promoted past his level of competence as the Peter principle states.

-1 points
2
3
PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:28 am

If we cut or trade him pre-June first, we save 5.9m.
If we cut or trade him post-June first, we save 17m.

I think the most likely outcome is to cut him post June first. I think it would be hard to find a trade partner given his injury history and his salary, plus we will need the cap relief in 2023.

-3 points
0
3
TarynsEyes's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:35 am

There is no, can't keep or should move on, there is only WILL move on from Bakhtiari. The moment you question or work around the inevitable, you stop moving forward.

Trying to find a way to retain a diminishing asset is bad for all involved.

6 points
6
0
canadapacker's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:44 am

In the big picture ( not arguing if we have or have not received value for this current contract) what does cutting him save the Pack. Probably not much versus the whole Salary structure for the upcoming year. Cutting him may save 8% of the total cap - if the cap goes up by 5 % will probably be about $215 million. Not worth cutting him - trade him maybe - but why - Hansen will be gone and even if he gets replaced - he is worth a backup. Money has been spent and what happens if we cant sign the 2 guys that we have that need to be re-signed.

0 points
0
0
PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:48 am

Cutting him post June 1st saves the Packers 17m. That is a lot, actually.

-2 points
2
4
Coldworld's picture

December 09, 2022 at 12:44 pm

Only in the sense that it splits the hit into the following year, as opposed to all this year. That’s the difference.

4 points
4
0
jannes bjornson's picture

December 10, 2022 at 08:30 am

Savage has a Cap value close to 8 M. ROI from some of the whiffs are adding up, casino losses.

0 points
0
0
Since'61's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:47 am

Trade AR and move on from Bak, Lowry, Amos and Savage. That will open up plenty of cap space to re-sign some of our own FAs, keep Jones and maybe sign a few VET FAs from other teams. It's the only way that I can see the Packers beginning to get out from under their cap space problems and moving on to build a younger, more competitive team. Thanks, Since '61

4 points
6
2
PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:48 am

I agree, Since! Jones I think will be gone though

1 points
3
2
The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

December 09, 2022 at 11:03 am

Why keep Jones? I love the guy but $20 million for a running back who rarely gets featured is just not worth it. RB might be the most easily replacable position. This team needs to get younger and cheaper in a hurry and moving off of Jones helps them do that.

4 points
4
0
Leatherhead's picture

December 09, 2022 at 11:12 am

Jones has 59 TDs, and he's about two good seasons short of numbers that would put him on the HOF ballot. Seriously, 20 more TDs would put him in that territory.

If you wanted a young QB to succeed, you'd give him good protection and a solid running game. There is the case to be made that Jones is worth it

Personally, I'd trade him, because I agree we should try to get younger and cheaper. But Jones isn't that old,(just turned 29) and he isn't that expensive for a HOF RB in his prime. Especially when he's been such a tremendous bargain. Four years on his rookie deal followed by two more for $10 million......we've had him on the cheap for quite a while.

Still and all, I'd hate to trade away a HOF RB, but if we'd like to make a run with Love over the next 5 years, I'd move on from all of the high dollar vets.

-2 points
2
4
TarynsEyes's picture

December 09, 2022 at 11:34 am

“Jones has 59 TDs, and he's about two good seasons short of numbers that would put him on the HOF ballot. Seriously, 20 more TDs would put him in that territory.”

Keeping a player, so he can achieve a personal accolade over the need of the team, in this case to grow its future, is how a team stands still.

I will know in my mind that Jones, if he makes the HOF, however doubtful I feel, his time in GB was a huge reason for it happening.

Also, being able to have him.' on the cheap for so long' was smart business, letting him go to get extreme dollars elsewhere is also smart business.

4 points
4
0
Leatherhead's picture

December 09, 2022 at 12:08 pm

It's not just a personal accolade, and a real good RB is something every team needs. The Packers benefit on and off the field if Jones can deliver.

I don't think trading away HOF caliber players is generally a good way to improve your team. Some times it has to be done.

As I've said....I'd go ahead and trade him. But I can totally see the argument for keeping him, too.

1 points
3
2
The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

December 09, 2022 at 09:29 pm

He'll be 29 next year which is old for a running back and his $20 million dollar salary is an albatross. Like I said, I love Jones, but what are we doing here? The tough decisions have to be made. Rebuilding teams dont pay $20 million to a running back they dont even feature. As for the hall of fame talk, cmon man. Jones isnt getting in the hall of fame. Hes only made one pro bowl and never been all-pro. We cant let sentiment get in the way of making the decisions that have to be made. Sentiment is what led to this disaster of a season in the first place. Time to cut the cord. These guys have all been paid handsomely. Thank them for their service and send them on their way.

2 points
2
0
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

December 09, 2022 at 01:04 pm

Some extremely talented RBs available in this upcoming draft. I'd say bye to Jones. Need to free up cap money and go young for rebuild.

3 points
3
0
canadapacker's picture

December 09, 2022 at 11:19 am

Dont think that AR will move on - would hope as I said before - that he might be willing to go to the Raiders - some say the Jets - but that team seems to have more issues than the QB. However - if he stays - which is likely and Bak stays - I say that the minimum is to move on from Lowery Amos Savage Cobb Crosby Lewis - adds up to over $104 million ( just adding the numbers from Sportrac) enough to sign Njman Jenkins and Lazard ( key guys) - plus some renegotiating to get room for the new crop and pay for Love's 5th.

It will be interesting to see what happens on Black Monday - there will be openings - if the Raiders are smart ( NOT) they would /should be in the market for a new coach - Houston , Arizona, Broncos Chargers are most likely - and who knows what Gerry is going to do if they dont win the SB and Carolina and Indie needs to interview minority candidates

0 points
1
1
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

December 09, 2022 at 01:06 pm

Just not sure Lazard is a must re-sign. Going to depend on his market value.

0 points
2
2
Coldworld's picture

December 09, 2022 at 12:46 pm

Savage is fully guaranteed since they exercised the option. No savings on him are possible unless they find a trade partner willing to take him on that deal.

3 points
3
0
canadapacker's picture

December 09, 2022 at 03:13 pm

You are correct - he expires after next year - I missed that so he stays as a back up if the new DC doesnt like the fact that he doesnt tackle and plays soft too much. But maybe he might find some guts when he is looking for another contract - whether GB or elsewhere.

1 points
1
0
The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

December 09, 2022 at 10:55 am

Trade/Release: Rodgers, Bakhtiari, Clark, Jones, Amos, Cobb, Crosby, Tonyan, Lewis, Lowry.

Resign: Jenkins, Nijman, Lazard (Gary and Dillon will need contracts sooner or later too).

Spend 2023 getting the cap right and getting the young guys much needed experience. Gear up to compete in 2024. Not a complete rebuild. This team just needs a year to reset things.

-1 points
3
4
Leatherhead's picture

December 09, 2022 at 11:16 am

We cannot trade or release Lowry, since he'll be a UFA. We're paying him $3 million to not play for us.

I agree with all the rest, but not Clark. He's a very good player for us and we wouldn't realize much savings by moving him.

4 points
4
0
PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 11:50 am

I think we may or may not trade Clark. We'd save slightly over 3m if we did. There are some teams out there who would give a 2nd for him, and we could draft a replacement for him. If we keep him, though, I think that he should be converted to playing Defensive End. We can draft a bigger guy to play at Nose Tackle along with Slaton and Ford

0 points
3
3
The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

December 09, 2022 at 09:43 pm

Clark is a good player but hes nowhere close to a $23 million dollar a year player. Time to cut the cord. If this team ever hopes to seriously compete in the upcoming Jordan Love era (which should be their only focus at this point), then they need to get the salary cap in order as soon as humanly possible. Look at the contracts they will have to give out just in the next 2 years. Jenkins (monster deal), Gary (monster deal), Love (presumably monster deal), Dillon, etc. How are they gonna keep overpaying guys like Clark while also paying all the dead cap money for Rodgers/Bakh/Jones/Amos, give monster extensions to young players who have earned them, and add other pieces to help compete too? The answer is they cant. Other than Jaire, they should be looking to get out from under every big contract they currently have on the books and that includes Clark. This is where Ted Thompson's leadership was so important. Yea sure never truly went "all-in" but he took care of the salary cap like it was his own child. He never backed this team into a corner like it currently is right now.

1 points
1
0
PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 11:58 am

Amos, Crosby, and Lowry are Free Agents. What you see is void years on their contracts. We cannot trade them. We could "cut" one of them post June first, though, and get out of some of the voided years. Doing that to Amos would save us 5.7m.

Here is my list:

Let Go: Lazard, Lowry, Amos, Crosby
Cut: Amos, Newman, Luke Tenuta, Vernon Scott
Cut or Trade: Bakhtiari, A.Jones
Trade: P. Smith, Douglas, A. Rodgers
Franchise-tag-and-trade: Jenkins
Maybe Trade: K. Clark, Savage, D. Campbell (post-June 1st)

Re-Sign: Nijman, Nixon, R. Ford, Barnes, Hollins, Lewis, Cobb, T. Goodson, M. Abernathy, Ramiz Ahmed, J. Heflin, D. Etling,
Extend: Gary (I would only give him an extension through 2025, with a potential out after 2024, just because of his ACL injury and if he recovers well)

-6 points
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canadapacker's picture

December 09, 2022 at 01:35 pm

Sorry but you need some common sense amongst the despair of not making the playoffs.
Why resign Cobb ? - too old cant get open - it is only AR's arm talent and familiarity with Cobb that allows him to catch passes - so if AR is gone so is Cobb. I think that Cobb is gone no matter what - he is long in the tooth and injury prone. Can one find a trade partner for Jones - unlikely and what would we give back. If Love is the new QB - I would think that we need the Dillon Jones combo. Preston Smith will be into year 2 of a big contract - that would just cost too much and he has played well at times given a bad DC schematically. Newman stays - unless there is a trade partner and Hansen is gone to make room for another low draft pick Oline project. We do need to find a kicker who can kick off through the endzone and is consistant on extra points and field goals. Free agent or draft pick?? I would like to see AR go somewhere but that is up to him and therefore not likely - Love's 5th year option is relatively cheap because he doesnt get money for having played - so with the Cap going up and the big salaries gone Amos Cobb Lowry Savage - there will be room - never mind the can kicking on players and the reupping others including draft picks. Finally dont know why you want to gut the Oline - we saw what happens when it is bad - I can see letting Bak go if it is a total Salary cap need and if he is not totally healthy - but we have played better lately both with him and last game without him ( but that is only one game - and Donald is probably not playing Monday nite - so will we really know about Tom??)

1 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

December 09, 2022 at 09:39 pm

We re-sign Cobb and Lewis for the same reasons: They provide good veteran experience and off-the-field leadership for our young players, which we will have much more of in 2023, and because we could get them for basically nothing - a one year deal something near the veteran minimum of 1.12m.

It is just not feasible to keep a 28 year old RB that costs us 20m during a rebuild. We need the cap space, both in the present (to re-sign other guys) and in the future, and if we can get it, draft capital.

Preston will be 30 - does it make much sense for him to be here in a rebuild? No - let's take what we can get for him. He was given that large deal when it was the impression that we were still contenders.

I do not know why we would keep Newman. We can draft another late-round player to fill his spot. Here are the OL I see in 2023 on our roster: Tom, Nijman, Runyan, Myers, 2023 high draft pick Guard, Rasheed Walker, Caleb Jones, Sean Rhyan, and a 2023 late-round O-lineman.

We are not relieved of people like Amos or Lowry's salary when he leaves. He is a free agent, and we are still paying him void years even though he doesn't play for us. We would have to cut one of them post June first for that to happen, but teams can only do that a maximum of twice.

I do not want to Gut the O-Line - I am a firm believer in a good OL - I just don't think we should pay big bucks for veterans during a rebuild. We already have 4 starters in 2023 Nijman and Tom at Tackle, Myers at Center, and Runyan at guard. I think we take a guard high in 2023 with our first-round pick or a first-rounder we get from the Jets for Rodgers. O'Cyrus Torrence of Florida, Andrew Vorhees of USC, and Peter Skoronski of Northwestern are good 2023 guard prospects that I like. That will give us a good foundation of an OL for the upcoming years. If anyone doesn't work out then we can always draft another OL in 2024. If there is one position Gutey has perpetually succeeded with, it is the OL, so I think we're in good hands.

Also, Tom would be at Left Tackle, and Aaron Donald is a Defensive Lineman, so they wouldn't be facing each other one-on-one even if Donald were to play. If Tom can bulk up in the offseason I think he could become a stud player.

-1 points
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The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

December 09, 2022 at 09:45 pm

Im aware. I just lumped alll the pending free agents into this same category.

-2 points
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Fubared's picture

December 10, 2022 at 10:14 pm

Basically if your talking rebuild and freeing up money, ya it's time like it or not.

1 points
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Packerpasty's picture

December 09, 2022 at 06:11 pm

Once again a hilarious read...all the amateur GM's and coaches know exactly what to do with the Packers, Rodgers, Barry, the "old vets"....you'll all be so disappointed when basically the same team is back again next year..."trade Rodgers"...hahaha...what and why would a team trade for a "potentially" once more year really expensive QB?? Tell me that all you experts...anyway, its always fun here at Cheesehead TV...such a learning experience!!

-5 points
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barutanseijin's picture

December 09, 2022 at 07:15 pm

GM pasty sez: stay the course. This is fine!

Enjoy the show, pasty ol’ pal.

-1 points
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tdreher's picture

December 09, 2022 at 08:26 pm

Although a higher draft pick would be nice, I would never want the team to lose. Winning is a culture, and so is losing. Not going all in to win is a recipe for long term disaster.

4 points
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LambeauCalrissian's picture

December 10, 2022 at 03:08 am

I love articles where people weigh in on baseless rumors and innuendo with playing GM. It kinda undermines any illusion of expertise in a topic when you make very obvious fact-checking boners like calling Yosh a free agent when he’s RFA.

I feel like when you failed to grasp that, then the feelings you have on perceived schisms between the QB and Head Coach might not be worth writing about.

It is just kinda embarrassing.

2 points
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Oppy's picture

December 11, 2022 at 11:56 am

You have a fantastic screen name, sir.

That is all.

0 points
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EnemyTerritory's picture

December 10, 2022 at 04:32 pm

Trade Rodgers to the 49ers for whatever we can get. Pay half his salary if necessary. Who cares if he wins a SB there? It’s not the packers problem and the salary cap relief with AR gone and Bahk gone post June 1 plus an increase in the cap frees up a heck of a lot of opportunity and reduces the pain of th3 next few years. No team outside the NFC north should be ruled out. At worst AR 12 is playing 5 years. Pick the right division and you play him one time head to head…

0 points
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Oppy's picture

December 11, 2022 at 01:12 pm

Agree 100%.

It's not about what Rodgers might do elsewhere, it's about what's best for the Packers.

Unload that guy and recoup what you can.

0 points
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