Now that the 2023 season is officially in the books, the Green Bay Packers will have a number of roster decisions to make, and not exclusively related to players who are now free agents.
But as a starting point, these are the players who are now free to go elsewhere, according to Spotrac:
Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Yosh Nijman blocks Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter.
Yosh Nijman, offensive tackle
The unrestricted free agent who made the most in 2023 is Yosh Nijman, who appeared in 67 games over the past four seasons and was often pressed into duty on the offensive line. He subbed in at right tackle in the playoff loss to San Francisco with Zach Tom out. The 6-foot-7, 314-pound tackle made $4.3 million last year and was often playing a role but couldn’t quite crack the every-game starting lineup.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon celebrates defeating the New Orleans Saints.
Keisean Nixon, cornerback
The two-time All-Pro return specialist made $4 million in 2023 and gave the Packers some electricity in the return game, including a 72-yard return against San Francisco (let’s ignore the fumble for now). He also proved valuable in the secondary, seeing nearly three-fourths of the defensive snaps. Signing Nixon in March 2022 proved to be a profitable maneuver for the Packers. Of the higher-end free agents on this list, he’s the one most likely to be offered a contract by the Packers.
Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage returns an interception for a touchdown against Dallas.
Darnell Savage, safety
The first-round pick in the 2019 draft has been with the Packers five seasons (the team picked up his fifth-year option) and started 69 games, but he’s had an up-and-down tenure. He had a pick-6 against Dallas in the playoffs but then infamously dropped what could have been another against San Francisco. In all, he had 10 career interceptions.
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones and guard Jon Runyan celebrate Jones’ touchdown against Dallas.
Jon Runyan, guard
The sixth-round draft pick out of Michigan has been a consistent starter for the past three seasons at guard, including 17 starts each of the past two years. He and the offensive line jelled in the second half of 2023 to present a formidable unit, particularly in opening up holes for running back Aaron Jones. But by the end of the season, he was splitting snaps with second-year guard Sean Rhyan.
Green Bay Packers safety Rudy Ford celebrates with cornerback Carrington Valentine after intercepting a pass against the Detroit Lions.
Rudy Ford, safety
There are likely to be some serious changes at the safety position. Ford, who was sidelined by an injury and didn’t play in the regular-season finale or playoffs, was another off-the-street free-agent success story for the Packers, first signed by the Packers in August 2022 and then again in March 2023. He wound up starting 15 games and playing in 30 for the Packers in two seasons, racking up five interceptions, two fumble recoveries and 115 tackles. When he was available, he played in roughly three-fourths of defensive snaps, and made only $1.5 million.
Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon makes a victory lap after beating Kansas City.
AJ Dillon, running back
The eminently popular running back has spent four seasons in Green Bay since the Packers made him a second-round pick, and though he hasn’t been able to develop into an every-down back, he’s delivered some big moments. He was finding success in 2023 before injuries sidelined him at the end of the year. He saw the field in 60 games over four seasons and rushed for 2,428 yards (4.1 per attempt) with 16 touchdowns. He made $1.32 million in 2023.
Green Bay Packers linebacker Eric Wilson tackles Chicago Bears wide receiver Tyler Scott.
Eric Wilson, linebacker
The veteran Wilson had what looked like a game-saving fumble recovery against the 49ers in the playoffs, the final game in his second season with the Packers. He’s been a valuable contributor on special teams and made only $1.23 million in his seventh NFL season in 2023. There’s a chance he’d return at a reasonable salary.
Green Bay Packers tight end Josiah Deguara celebrates.
Josiah Deguara, tight end
Taken in the third round of the 2020 draft, Deguara was Green Bay’s attempt to cultivate something like what the 49ers have with “H-back” Kyle Juszczyk, but Deguara saw the field more regularly as a special teamer in 2023. He had 47 receptions and two touchdowns in four seasons and made $1.10 million in 2023.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Corey Ballentine celebrates his interception against Minnesota.
Corey Ballentine, cornerback
Ballentine ($1.08 million) helped keep Green Bay’s secondary intact despite losing Jaire Alexander in the middle of the season with a shoulder injury. Signed to the practice squad early in the 2022 season, Ballentine went through multiple elevations, a release, and then finally an addition to the active roster in October this year. He started six games in his second season with the Packers, seeing the field for more than half the defensive snaps in his 14 games.
Green Bay Packers tight end Tyler Davis participates in organized team activities.
Tyler Davis, tight end
Davis ($1.04 million) missed all of 2023 with a torn ACL after spending the previous two seasons in Green Bay as well, contributing primarily on special teams. He could be back next year on a minimum salary.
Kristian Welch, linebacker
Welch ($1.01 million) spent his fourth NFL season in Green Bay after three with Baltimore and appeared in 14 games. All his snaps came on special teams.
Green Bay Packers safety Jonathan Owens scores after recovering a fumble against Detroit.
Jonathan Owens, safety
Owens ($1.01 million) was signed in May after four years with Houston, and he had his moments despite an up-and-down season. He started 11 games and played in all 17, returning a fumble for a touchdown in Detroit and finishing with a forced fumble, 84 tackles, two tackles for loss and three passes defended. And yes, he’s married to legendary gymnast Simone Biles, who has been a celebrity fixture at Packers games this season. He could be back next year if the price was right.
Green Bay Packers running back Patrick Taylor is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook.
Restricted free agents
These players have accrued three seasons in the NFL but their contract is up. They can sign with any team, but the Packers can also get something in return.
NFL teams give restricted free agents a “tender,” a qualifying offer that more or less sets the value a team must pay to sign the player. In some cases, the original team can obtain a draft pick if another team signs the player away.
For example, Nijman was given a second-round draft pick tender last year. The terms of the deal meant he’d get a one-year deal worth $4.3 million with the Packers. If another team had offered Nijman a contract at or exceeding that value, they could have stolen him away from the Packers, but Green Bay would have gotten that new team’s second-round pick. No team has ever swooped in to take a player with a second-round tender and surrender that pick.
The Packers don’t have to offer tenders for their restricted free agents (in order to avoid paying the cost associated), making them unrestricted. It’s highly unlikely the team offers a tender to the current crop of RFAs, but they could be re-signed on minimum deals.
Those players are:
Patrick Taylor, running back
Robert Rochell, cornerback
Zayne Anderson, safety
Caleb Jones, offensive line*
Daniel Whelan, kicker*
Emanuel Wilson, running back*
Benny Sapp III, safety*
Bo Melton, receiver*
*Exclusive rights free agents who don’t have three accrued NFL seasons and cannot sign elsewhere unless Packers do not offer a one-year contract for the league minimum.
Leave a Reply