Packers: Tough decisions await in 2020 free agency
A closer look at the decisions Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst faces this offseason in free agency.
With the Packers‘ Super Bowl hopes ended at Levi’s Stadium last weekend, we now turn the page to the offseason. In just eight weeks, free agency and the new league year will begin.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst has a lot to consider between now and then. Who should he aim to re-sign, who should he let walk, and which positions should he target in free agency?
First of all, let’s look at the Packers’ upcoming unrestricted free agents.
Packers 2020 unrestricted free agents
- Geronimo Allison, WR
- Bryan Bulaga, RT
- Ibraheim Campbell, S
- Mason Crosby, K
- Tyler Ervin, RB
- Kyler Fackrell, EDGE
- B.J. Goodson, ILB
- Ryan Grant, WR
- Marcedes Lewis, TE
- Blake Martinez, ILB
- Jason Spriggs, T
- Jared Veldheer, T
- Tramon Williams, CB
There’s plenty to think about for Gutekunst. Bulaga, Crosby and Martinez stand out as the biggest decisions. But the Packers would surely like to bring back Campbell and Ervin too.
Not only does Gutekunst need to decide who he wants back and who he’s moving on from, but also other players under contract he could release to free up cap room, including Jimmy Graham and Lane Taylor.
Beyond that, Gutekunst has the salary cap to manage when looking to sign free agents from other teams. My best guess is he won’t be afraid to make a few big-money deals like last offseason. The Packers are chasing another championship with Aaron Rodgers, so it makes sense to take a few risks in free agency to go all-in for the present. Entering the second year under Matt LaFleur, 2020 could be a great opportunity for Rodgers to get his second ring.
Should the Packers look to upgrade their top positions of need — wide receiver and inside linebacker — in free agency, the draft, or both? Recent history suggests Gutekunst will use both, as he did at edge rusher and safety a year ago.
It should be an interesting offseason, but Gutekunst has some difficult decisions ahead.