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

Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Walks

According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “it’s almost a given” that Marquez Valdes-Scantling won’t be back in Green Bay next season.

And it’s understandable. No matter how important MVS has been to Matt LaFleur’s offense the past couple of years, they simply have too many other priorities and not enough cap space to bring everyone back.

And there is likely to be plenty of interest from other teams. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Valdes-Scantling’s deal “could end up well north of $10 million a year”.

It seems almost certain the Packers won’t be willing to pay anything close to that for Valdes-Scantling, especially considering they will need to pay Davante Adams.

It will be cheaper to re-sign restricted free agent Allen Lazard, and Green Bay will then likely need to address the wide receiver position in the draft. Losing MVS will hurt, but there will be receivers in the draft who can contribute right away.

MVS only played in 11 games last season due to injury, but when healthy he’s one of the best deep threats in the league. In 2020, Valdes-Scantling led the NFL with 20.9 yards per reception.

He made a big impact for the Packers’ offense but it sure seems like he will be playing elsewhere next season.