It’s going to be an offseason full of tough decisions for the Green Bay Packers. The team had a solid, deep 2022 draft class, but not necessarily one with star players. That means it’s time for some of those players to hit free agency, and general manager Brian Gutekunst will have some intriguing calls to make over the next month.

So, let’s go free agent by free agent and evaluate who the Packers should keep or not — and for the sake of this exercise, we will only talk about unrestricted free agents. Market projections in yearly average come from Spotrac.

Packers’ pending free agents in market projection order

LT Rasheed Walker

• Market projection: $20.2 million

Walker played at a decent level at a premium position for three seasons, so that has a lot of value. However, he did show some signs of underwhelming performance down the stretch last season, and the Packers have a replacement plan in place with Jordan Morgan. At that price, it’s hard to imagine a reunion.

Verdict: Don’t re-sign

WR Romeo Doubs

• Market projection: $12 million

At this price, a new deal would be feasible. But the wide receiver market in free agency tends to operate at a different pace, and you shouldn’t be surprised if Doubs gets something closer to $18 million. Last year, the Packers drafted Matthew Golden and Savion Williams, then extended Christian Watson — who might get extended again. So the priorities are elsewhere.

Verdict: Don’t re-sign

QB Malik Willis

• Market projection: $10.5 million

The Packers would love to have Willis back as a long-term backup, but that’s simply not realistic. General manager Brian Gutekunst himself admitted Willis may have multiple opportunities on other teams to at least compete for a starting job, so this is even bigger than money.

Verdict: Don’t re-sign

LB Quay Walker

• Market projection: $8.2 million

The Packers certainly like Walker more than his numbers and the tape on the field would justify, and Gutekunst indicated a desire to keep him beyond 2025 when he didn’t exercise the fifth-year option for market reasons. Again, I don’t think the Packers should do it. But if it’s this price tag, they probably will. Because this is an exercise of what Green Bay should do, it’s a no. If it was a projection, the answer would be different. It’s a risky call either way, though, because it would take significant resources, but Ty’Ron Hopper may or may not be ready to replace him. 

Verdict: Don’t re-sign

C Sean Rhyan

• Market projection: $6.5 million

The Packers don’t have a clear plan at center, and the position has been a problem since they allowed Corey Linsley to walk in free agency in 2021 — and that’s because Josh Myers never became what they thought he would. Elgton Jenkins is under contract, but set to make $20 million, so he’s an obvious cut candidate. Part of that money could be be allocated to pay Rhyan, who upgraded the position last season, especially in the run game. The former third-rounder might not be the ideal long-term solution, but at least he gives the front office time to breathe.

Verdict: Re-sign

EDGE Kingsley Enagbare

• Market projection: $5.9 million

Enagbare is a very good run defender, so he brings value to the table — at stretches last year, he outsnapped and outplayed Rashan Gary. If Gary is released or traded, the chances of Enagbare staying get bigger. But with Micah Parsons and Lukas Van Ness set to start, and two 2025 rookies in the fold in Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver, Enagbare becomes a luxury the Packers probably can’t afford.

Verdict: Don’t re-sign

TE John FitzPatrick

• Market projection: $1.2 million

FitzPatrick became the starting tight end for the Packers after Tucker Kraft went down, playing more snaps than Luke Musgrave. However, he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 16, so it will be a long recovery. The Packers would probably get him back on the roster once he’s healthy, but this is an injury that takes time for the player to get back at his previous level.

Verdict: Re-sign once he’s healthy

LB Nick Niemann and LB Kristian Welch

• Market projection: N/A

We’re putting those two in the same bucket because it’s the same position, both are primarily special teamers, and they shouldn’t command high dollars. Most likely, the Packers bring them back on something close to a veteran minimum salary.

Verdict: Re-sign

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