The first wave of NFL free agency is over, and the Green Bay Packers certainly made a big splash by signing Xavier McKinney and Josh Jacobs. While the Packers are unlikely to make any more new additions of that magnitude, the team still has more work to do this offseason. Here are the top five things the Packers and GM Brian Gutekunst still need to do this offseason.
Top Five Things the Packers Still Need to Do This Offseason: Number One: Extend Jordan Love
The Packers signed quarterback Jordan Love to an extension last May which covered the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Gutekunst will now look to lock up his franchise quarterback long term. He cannot sign a deal with Love until one year after the last contact was signed.
According to several published reports, the team has prioritized the extension. It will likely be completed before the start of the 2024 NFL season.
Look for Love to make between $40 million and $50 million per year under this new deal. How the team structures the money will matter because this contact will eat up a lot of cap space. The extension will also keep Love in Green and Gold for the foreseeable future.
Number Two: Add Talent and Depth at Safety
McKinney will start at one safety but there are more questions than answers after that. Anthony Johnson, Jr. is the only remaining safety on the roster with NFL experience and he started just four games as a rookie.
Gutekunst will almost certainly draft at least one safety possibly as early as day two of the draft. He could also sign a moderately priced free agent or bring back Rudy Ford. He started nine games for the Pack before being placed on IR with an injury.
Either way, adding at least a couple of safeties to the mix including one with NFL experience is high on Gutekunst’s to do list.
Top Five Things the Packers Still Need to Do This Offseason: Number Three Fortify the Linebackers
The Packers just announced they were re-signing Eric Wilson on Thursday so that helps add depth at off-ball linebacker. The Pack will still draft at least one player here and may sign another inexpensive free agent as well.
Currently, the Packers have Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie as their starters with Wilson leading the potential backups.
Another potential starter should be added for depth purposes and to compete with McDuffie to get regular playing time in Jeff Hafley’s new 4-3 defense.
Number Four: Bring In a Veteran Kicker
Multiple published reports indicated the Packers had reached an agreement to bring in a veteran kicker to compete with Anders Carlson. At that last minute, the kicker changed his mind and signed elsewhere.
Give Gutekunst credit for his determination to bring in more competition for Carlson after the 6th round pick struggled mightily in his rookie season.
The Packers already signed Jack Podlesny after the season ended, but the former Georgia star has yet to kick in a regular season game. Look for Gutekunst to bring in another kicker before camp opens in July although hopefully he won’t use another draft pick to get one.
Top Five Things the Packers Still Need to Do This Offseason: Number Five Add Depth to the Interior Offensive Line
The Packers lost starter Jon Runyan, Jr. in free agency and have no proven guard to start opposite Elgton Jenkins. Sean Rhyan is the leading candidate to start at right guard as of now.
Center Josh Myers has been a disappointment thus far. The Packers can also use competition for Myers and possibly an heir apparent since this is the final year of his entry-level contract.
Whether it’s through the draft or a reasonably-priced free agent, expect Gutekunst to add multiple interior offensive linemen to the roster before training camp gets under way in late July.
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