5 players the Packers were right to move on from in 2022

The Green Bay Packers were right to move on from these five players in 2022.

Every offseason, teams must make tough decisions on which players to bring back and who to replace. The Green Bay Packers had some big calls to make this spring.

While general manager Brian Gutekunst deserves credit for his work at attacking positions of need in the 2022 NFL Draft and adding talent to the roster, he also had to make difficult decisions on who not to bring back.

That included All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, who wanted out. Adams got his wish with a trade to the Las Vegas Raiders. Only time will tell how that trade plays out, but the Packers will find it difficult to replace Adams’ production.

That said, Gutekunst also got a lot of moves right. The Adams one was never easy because he didn’t want to stay in Green Bay. The team didn’t have many options.

So, which moves did Gutekunst get right? Here are five players he was right to move on from in 2022.

Oren Burks, ILB

After re-signing De’Vondre Campbell and drafting Georgia’s Quay Walker in the first round, Green Bay has two excellent inside linebackers.

The team moved on from former third-round pick Oren Burks in free agency. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers.

During his four-year stay with the Packers, Burks never managed to make a significant contribution on defense. In the 59 regular season games he played, Burks only started seven, and played fewer than a fifth of the team’s defensive snaps each season, per Pro Football Reference.

Burks was a key special teams player, which is something the Packers will miss.

However, after struggling to become the defensive player Green Bay expected when drafting him in the third round, it was the right call to move on in free agency.