Packers 2022 offseason position review: Wide receivers
In an offseason filled with uncertainty, no position for the Green Bay Packers could see more turnover than wide receiver.
The Packers don’t have many receivers currently under contract for 2022. That’s a problem. And then there’s the uncertainty of Aaron Rodgers’ future. What role could that play?
We continue our Packers’ offseason position reviews with the wide receivers.
2021 season review
Once again, it was Davante Adams then everyone else.
It seemed close to impossible Adams would be able to match his 2020 production, and he didn’t — he was even better. Adams finished with 123 receptions for 1,553 yards — both single-season franchise records — while also finding the end zone on 11 occasions.
Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Equanimeous St. Brown combined for 103 receptions, 1,416 yards, and 16 touchdowns. The four of them together only beat Adams on touchdowns.
That’s not to say they didn’t play their part — far from it. Lazard had perhaps his best year yet with eight touchdown catches. Cobb stepped up at key moments as he has throughout his career. MVS fixed his issues with drops and proved to be a game-changer for this offense. EQ also became a receiver Rodgers trusted.
And let’s not forget that, without Adams, the Packers beat the then-undefeated Arizona Cardinals on the road on a short week.
The other receivers played their part. However, it was a historic year for Adams.
What’s next in 2022?
Adams, Lazard, MVS, EQ, Malik Taylor — all free agents this offseason.
That only leaves Cobb, Amari Rodgers, Juwann Winfree, and Chris Blair on the roster. Outside of Cobb, the other three had a combined 12 catches for the Packers in 2021.
And while Cobb is currently under contract, he has a cap hit of $9.64 million next season, per Over The Cap. There’s every chance he’s played his final snap in Green Bay.
That leaves GM Brian Gutekunst with a problem. This team needs to clear about $40 million in cap space but also has to, somehow, find a way to bring back at least a couple of their free-agent wide receivers.
One thing is for sure: Green Bay’s WR room will look different in 2022.