The 2023 season ended for the Green Bay Packers with a playoff loss to San Francisco, marking the end of an era for the team. Coach Matt LaFleur remarked on the uniqueness of the group, recognizing that such a gathering of players will never occur again. As the NFL prepares for free agency starting on March 13, the Packers, having recently extended outside linebacker Rashan Gary’s contract and boasting a youthful offensive roster, do not face an abundance of significant free agent departures.
Heading into free agency, the offensive line emerges as the position with the most impending free agents. Despite a tight budget with respect to the estimated cap of $242 million, the Packers find themselves roughly $7 million over the cap, even before considering any potential moves in free agency. Notably, the team has no impending free agents at the quarterback position, with Jordan Love possibly in line for an extension, while Sean Clifford, a rookie from 2023, serves as the backup. Alex McGough remains on the practice squad.
Among the running backs, AJ Dillon stands out. Drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, he has been a consistent presence in the Packers’ backfield since Jamaal Williams departed in free agency after the 2020 season. The team faces decisions regarding Dillon and Aaron Jones, particularly as Dillon battled injuries toward the end of the season. Given the team’s limited cap space and the ongoing devaluation of the running back position, it seems improbable that both Dillon and Jones will continue to share the backfield in 2024.
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