Packers 2022 free agency predictions: Who re-signs, who walks?

TE Robert Tonyan Jr.

Tonyan had a breakthrough season in 2020, catching 52 passes for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns. He became one of Aaron Rodgers’ most trusted targets that season, and was expected to play a huge rule this past year.

Unfortunately, in a week eight victory against the Cardinals, Tonyan tore his ACL, sidelining him for the season. Before that injury, however, Tonyan was having a slow start to his season, catching just 18 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns over the first eight weeks.

Tonyan plays a huge rule in the Packers’ offense, especially in the red zone. He has great hands and a knack for finding holes in zones. Perhaps more importantly, he has Rodgers’ trust.

If Rodgers stays, the Packers won’t have much of a choice but to try to retain Tonyan. Spotrac projects that Tonyan will receive a contract with an AAV of $10.8 million. That’s probably a bit pricey for the Packers, but they might be forced to pay it if they want to keep Rodgers happy.

If Rodgers leaves, the Packers will likely try to build chemistry between Jordan Love and 2020 third-round pick Josiah Deguara instead of re-signing an expensive veteran. Packers fans wouldn’t be happy to see Tonyan go, but it’d be a necessary step towards the future.

Rodgers stays: Re-sign to a two-year, $20 million deal

Rodgers leaves: Don’t re-sign

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

MVS is the Packers’ best deep threat receiver, and has shown the potential to become a legitimate number two receiver in the Packers’ offense. While injuries emerged as an issue for the 27-year-old receiver this season, he’s typically been able to remain healthy. However, he’s struggled with inconsistency catching the ball, and has sometimes struggled to add new routes to his route tree.

This season, Valdes-Scantling caught 26 passes for 430 yards and three touchdowns, appearing in 11 games. He unlocks another dimension in the Packers’ offense, drawing safety help with his blazing speed, and opening up the field for other players.

However, MVS’s only above-average skill is his speed. It’s likely that the Packers will search for a younger, cheaper player with a similar skillset in the draft. It’s possible that the Packers retain Valdes-Scantling if Rodgers returns, if only because of the pair’s chemistry, but I don’t think the Packers will be willing to pay for a one-dimensional receiver when there’s cheaper, more tantalizing talent available in the draft.

Rodgers stays: Don’t re-sign

Rodgers leaves: Don’t re-sign