While the Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles are preparing for Championship Sunday, the Green Bay Packers are busy looking ahead to 2018 when it comes to fortifying their coaching staff and retooling their roster as well. Of course, there’s a new General Manager in Brian Gutekunst and new/old coordinators in Joe Philbin (offense) and Mike Pettine (defense). There are also a lot of good players under contract when it comes to the franchise. But the organization does have some decisions to make in regards to their potential free agents.
In recent weeks, the Packers signed wide receiver Davante Adams and center Corey Linsley to contract extensions. What is next up for the franchise?
Who could be on the open market?
Because this is a team that relies heavily on the draft, the Green Bay Packers don’t have a lot of remaining expiring contracts when it comes to their roster. On offense, you will find tight end Richard Rodgers and reserve Jeff Janis. On the other side of the football, there’s versatile safety Morgan Burnett, cornerback Davon House, veteran outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks and defensive tackle Quinton Dial. Throw in long snapper Brett Goode and Gutekunst has eight potential unrestricted free agents to make decisions on.
Only the Cleveland Browns (4) have fewer potential players that can hit the open market in early March.
Decisions to make
Burnett would apparently be a no-brainer when it comes to retaining his services. The 2010 third-round pick from Georgia Tech comes off a season in which he missed four games but still finished fourth on the Green Bay Packers with 68 tackles.
Add in three passes defensed and one forced fumble and it was another productive year for a performer who can line up anywhere in the secondary. House totaled 44 stops, one sack, one interception and six passes defensed, but the team does have its share of young cornerbacks with potential. However, you could see the franchise bring him back with a one-year deal.
Meanwhile, Rodgers figures to return as well as tight end is still an area that needs to be reinforced. In free agency last offseason the Packers added Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks but the former proved to be a huge disappointment in a variety of ways. In four seasons, Rodgers has pulled down 120 passes for 1,166 yards and 13 touchdowns – eight of those scores coming back in 2015.
