Last season, the Green Bay Packers became one of the youngest teams in the NFL. They parted ways with multiple veterans including future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers and veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis which left them with only a handful of players 30 years of age or more. This offseason, that trend continued as the Packers parted ways with more of the few players that they had that were 30 or older. Here is a look at the remaining players on the Packers roster who will be 30 years of age or more during the 2024 NFL season.

The Only Players on the Packers Roster 30 Years of Age or More: Older Players Released this Offseason

This offseason, the Packers said goodbye to a few more players on the “wrong side” of 30. The most prominent was offensive tackle David Bakhtiari. The former Colorado star was a valuable player at left tackle in Green Bay for 11 seasons when he’s been healthy. He earned Pro Bowl honors three times and was All Pro twice. Bakhtiari did an excellent job of protecting Rodgers’ blind side and was considered one of the best pass-blocking tackles in the game.

Unfortunately, Bakhtiari suffered a knee injury before the 2020 season finale. There were complications and multiple surgeries to try to get him back on the field.

Over the last three seasons, Bakhtiari played a total of 13 games with 11 of them coming in 2022. The Packers placed him on season-ending IR after Week 1 last season with the hope he could return in 2024.

Unfortunately, his high cap hit, and injury situation caused GM Brian Gutekunst to release Bakhtiari earlier this offseason. He remains an unrestricted free agent as of now, most likely because he cannot yet pass his physical.

The Packers also released inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, who was over 30 and had started for the team the last three seasons including an All-Pro performance in 2021.

Two other players who would have turned 30 during the 2024 season, running back Aaron Jones and safety Rudy Ford, were also let go over the offseason.

The Only Players on the Packers Roster 30 Years of Age or More: DE Preston Smith

Preston Smith remains the only starter on the current roster over the age of 30. The former Mississippi State star is 31 and will turn 32 in November.

The Packers signed Smith as a free agent in 2019. Last season, he finished second on the team with eight sacks while recording 21 quarterback hits.

Smith gives the Packers consistent pass rush and steady play against the run. He also provides leadership for a young defense in the locker room.

Smith is expected to start at one defensive end spot in Jeff Hafley’s 4-man front opposite Rashan Gary.

ILB Eric Wilson

Backup inside linebacker Eric Wilson will turn 30 in September. That makes him one of the older and more experienced players on the current roster.

The former University of Cincinnati star has played 30 games with the Packers over the past two seasons without starting any on defense. He has provided depth at inside linebacker while being a standout on special teams.

Wilson expects to play a similar role on the team this season although he may find himself further down the depth chart at linebacker after the additions of Edgerrin Cooper and Ty’Ron Hopper in this year’s draft.

The Only Players on the Packers Roster 30 Years of Age or More: K Greg Joseph

Greg Joseph will turn 30 in August, during the 2024 preseason. What is less certain is whether he’ll be the Packers kicker this season.

The former Vikings kicker is in a three-way battle for the kicking position with incumbent Anders Carlson and undrafted free agent Jack Podlesny.

Joseph possesses the most experience of the three candidates with five years in the NFL. The team would prefer for Carlson to win the job, but Joseph remains a reasonable insurance policy if Carlson’s inconsistency continues.

 

 

 

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