The Green Bay Packers’ list of 18 players with expiring or voiding contracts (or: free agents) is littered with starters, key contributors and important special teams members.
The team has seven players with voiding contracts, seven unrestricted free agents, three restricted free agents and one exclusive rights free agent.
General manager Brian Gutekunst will do his best to bring everyone back. Given the financial restraints of the salary cap, he’ll likely have to pick and choose.
Highlighting the Packers’ 2023 free agents:
– WR Allen Lazard, the team’s leading receiver in catches, yards
– CB/KR Keisean Nixon, the NFL’s most productive kickoff returner
– TE Robert Tonyan, who finished third on the team with 53 catches
– OT Yosh Nijman, who has started at left and right tackle
– TE Marcedes Lewis, the team’s top run-blocking tight end
– K Mason Crosby, the franchise’s all-time leader in points
– S Adrian Amos, who has started every game over the last 4 seasons
– DL Jarran Reed, who was second on the team with 14 QB hits
– WR Randall Cobb, the team’s leader in slot snaps
– DL Dean Lowry, who made 12 starts along the defensive line
– S Rudy Ford, a key special teamer who started 6 games and had 3 INTs
– LB Eric Wilson, the team’s top special teamer
– S Dallin Leavitt, who was second in special teams snaps
– TE Tyler Davis, who was first in special teams snaps
– LB Krys Barnes, the top backup at inside linebacker
– OL Jake Hanson, who started Week 1 at right guard
– OLB Justin Hollins, who tallied 2.5 sacks after being acquired on waivers
– CB Corey Ballentine, who played at least 10 special teams snaps in 8 straight games
Of the Packers’ 18 free agents, five are 30 or older, including Crosby, Lewis and Cobb.
Seven soon-to-be free agents were added before or during the 2022 season, including Nixon, a potential All-Pro return specialist.
Nijman, the team’s preferred starter at right tackle, is a restricted free agent. He could get a second-round tender. Hanson is an exclusive rights free agent.
Four of the Packers’ top six players in terms of special teams snaps (Davis, Leavitt, Nixon, Wilson) are free agents.
Five players who were on the field for at least 250 defensive snaps (Amos, Reed, Lowry, Ford, Nixon) are free agents.
Three of the team’s top nine players in terms of offensive snaps (Lazard, Nijman, Tonyan) are free agents.
