It’s official, tight end is the Packers’ number one offseason need

It’s official. Tight end is the Green Bay Packers‘ number one offseason need.

Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis were the Packers’ top tight ends last season. It’s looking increasingly likely that both players will be gone in 2023.

Tonyan won’t be back. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Thursday that Tonyan has signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears.

Lewis is still a free agent, although there have been no indications from reporters that a return to Green Bay seems likely.

According to Schefter, the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets are among the teams interested in signing Lewis.

Signing with the Jets would make a ton of sense for Lewis, where he would be reunited with soon-to-be former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Here’s the thing for Green Bay: Tight end would’ve been a top priority even had Tonyan and Lewis re-signed. It’s a position the Packers desperately need to improve.

But with Tonyan gone and Lewis potentially set to sign elsewhere, there’s no doubting what Green Bay’s biggest offseason need is.

However, there is no reason to worry. In fact, starting over is a positive. It shows Brian Gutekunst understands the need for change at the position, and he must now provide it.

There are plenty of free-agent tight ends still available, including Dalton Schultz, Mike Gesicki, and Irv Smith Jr.

The Packers probably won’t pay big money to sign a tight end due to limited cap space.

This year’s draft class is deep in tight end talent. Multiple tight ends could hear their names called in the first round, including Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer, Utah’s Dalton Kincaid, Georgia’s Darnell Washington, and Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave.

On Day 2, Iowa’s Sam LaPorta, South Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft, and Michigan’s Luke Schoonmaker could be options.

Green Bay will have a great opportunity to leave April’s draft with two talented tight ends.

It will be interesting to see the Packers’ plan at tight end. They need one. It is undoubtedly the team’s number one offseason need.