Packers 2022 free agency predictions: Who re-signs, who walks?
LB De’Vondre Campbell
Campbell was one of the NFL’s best stories this past season. A free agent without much interest until June, the Packers signed Campbell to a one-year, $2 million deal, hoping he could provide solid veteran play and experience to a team thin at middle linebacker. It’s safe to say he was everything that Packers wanted him to be and much more.
The former Atlanta Falcon and Arizona Cardinal amassed 146 tackles and two sacks, while also providing excellent coverage in the passing game. His incredible season earned him an All-Pro nod, an amazing achievement for a player who was an afterthought coming into the season.
Campbell is an incredible player, and a very important part to the Green Bay defense. The Packers will definitely want him to return to the team. However, he’ll be expensive this offseason. The highest paid NFL middle linebacker, the Indianapolis Colts’ Darius Leonard, currently has a contract with a $19.7 million AAV.
While Campbell hasn’t had the sustained success necessary to earn such a large contract, it’s not unreasonable to think that he could receive a deal with a $14 million AAV, similar to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Myles Jack. Given the Packers’ salary cap situation, and the fact that they traditionally don’t invest very much into the middle linebacker position, Campbell will likely be too expensive to retain, no matter who the team’s quarterback is in 2022.
Rodgers stays: Don’t re-sign
Rodgers leaves: Don’t re-sign
CB Rasul Douglas
While Campbell’s story was great, Douglas’s story may have been the best in the NFL this past season. Douglas, who was sitting on the Cardinals’ practice squad, was signed before week five to a Packers team desperate for cornerback depth following the injury to All-Pro Jaire Alexander.
Douglas was expected to be a stop-gap player for the Packers, providing depth while the cornerback room grew healthier. Similarly to Campbell, Douglas exceeded expectations.
Douglas made 57 tackles and intercepted five passes this year, returning two of those interceptions for touchdowns. None of his interceptions were more important than his game-sealing pick of Kyler Murray to win a week eight matchup against his former team, the Cardinals.
Douglas, who was named a Pro Bowl alternate for his ball-hawking ability with the Packers, could likely demand a hefty contract this offseason, especially given his age (only 26 years old).
However, he’s expressed the desire to re-sign with the Packers, saying that he’d want a little bit more money but “nothing crazy” (per Yahoo Sports). Douglas was paid the league minimum, $990,000, this past season. Spotrac projects that he’ll earn a contract with a $9.2 million AAV this offseason.
However, if he stays true to his word, and takes a discount to stay with the Packers, it’s likely that he could sign a deal with a $3-$5 million AAV. That’s a very manageable salary for Green Bay, and it’d be a no brainer to bring Douglas back.
Rodgers stays: Re-sign to a one-year, $5 million deal
Rodgers leaves: Re-sign to a three-year, $22 million deal