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

RG Lucas Patrick

Patrick has been a valuable piece for the Packers’ offensive line, able to play all three interior positions. In 2021, he was the team’s top backup at the beginning of the year, before becoming the team’s starting center after the injury to rookie second-round pick Josh Myers. Patrick was consistent, healthy, and solid in both the running and passing game. While he’ll likely never be a star, he was the type of consistent lineman that every team needs.

However, the Packers have younger, more affordable alternatives, such as Jon Runyan, Myers, Jake Hanson and rookie Royce Newman ready to take Patrick’s place. Additionally, they could likely find more talent at interior offensive line in some of the draft’s later rounds. Patrick is an excellent player, but it’s likely not worth it for the Packers to retain him, given their salary cap position.

Rodgers stays: Don’t re-sign

Rodgers leaves: Don’t re-sign

RT Dennis Kelly

Kelly is in a very similar position as Patrick. He was brought onto the team to be a good backup, and was eventually thrust into a starting role at right tackle. While he was solid at right tackle, he’ll never be a star at the position, and struggled against the 49ers in the playoffs. Kelly is four years older than Patrick, and isn’t as versatile. If the Packers don’t retain Patrick, it’s very unlikely that they retain Kelly.

Rodgers stays: Don’t re-sign

Rodgers leaves: Don’t re-sign

LT Yosh Nijman (RFA)

Nijman is a restricted free agent, meaning the Packers will have to choose whether they tender him or don’t tender him. If they tender him, they will have the right to match any contract offer made by another team.

If they don’t tender him, he will become an unrestricted free agent. A first-round tender means an opposing team would need to give up their first-round pick to acquire him, a second-round tender means an opposing team would need to give up their second-round pick to acquire him, and a right of first refusal tender simply means the Packers can match other contract offers.

Nijman has been in the Packers’ system as a developmental piece since he went undrafted in 2019. The team has long raved about his potential, and that potential finally came to fruition this year.

He wasn’t perfect, but was largely successful playing left tackle after the Elgton Jenkins injury. Unlike Patrick and Kelly, Nijman is young, only 25 years old. The Packers will want to retain him, but if Rodgers returns, I don’t think they’ll want to pay the projected $2.4 million it would cost to place a right of first refusal tender on him, per Spotrac.

If he leaves, they’ll likely want a young left tackle to develop alongside their young quarterback, and they wouldn’t risk letting Nijman go.

Rodgers stays: Non-tender, re-sign to one-year, $1.6 million deal

Rodgers leaves: Right of first refusal tender