Key Packers free agents include Keisean Nixon and Darnell Savage.
INDIA — Since there are no more “must re-sign” players on the Green Bay Packers’ roster of unrestricted free agents, general manager Brian Gutekunst may let over six full- or part-time starters to negotiate with other teams when the window for negotiations opens on March 11.
After this week’s NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, where representatives of a number of those players are expected to meet with Russ Ball, the executive vice president and director of football operations for the Packers and Gutekunst’s negotiator, things may become clearer regarding their futures.
The Packers are at least free of the $40.3 million in dead money that Aaron Rodgers counted against the cap the previous year, even though they are still facing salary limit issues. They are a little bit over their anticipated salary cap for this season, but depending on when (pre- or post-June 1) they let go of tackle David Bakhtiari, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, and outside linebacker Preston Smith, they could potentially free up as much as $40 million. Smith appears to have the most chance of coming back, albeit with a revised agreement.
There may be further renegotiations that might create more room to sign free agents from other clubs, possibly even involving running back Aaron Jones, who for the second year in a row took a wage reduction last offseason.
Regarding the salary cap issue, Gutekunst stated, “I think we’re getting to a little bit better spot than we have been in the past.” “It’s never perfect, but I do feel that whatever opportunities are out there to improve our team in free agency, that we’ll be able to do that, so I feel good about that.”
Here are some of the choices Gutekunst must make regarding his own free agents before that occurs.
Darnell Savage, S.
Three Packers players had their contracts terminated last week, including Savage. When the Packers redrew the rookie contract of the 2019 first-round pick, they included void years in the fifth-year option. Savage earned $7.901 million in revenue last season; a portion of that amount was a signing bonus, which was subsequently prorated for cap purposes over the void years (2024–2027).
Savage would have to put $5,456,800 in dead money on the 2024 cap as a result of his agreement expiring.
If the Packers had signed Savage to an extension prior to the void taking effect, they could have avoided that. Savage had a difficult year due to calf and shoulder issues, but even during his time on injured reserve, the coaches of the Packers praised his leadership. After that, Savage made a big influence on the team’s wild-card playoff victory over the Cowboys, which included a pick-six. However, his performance in the team’s defeat to the 49ers was not as good.
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According to Seth Katz, Savage’s agent, “Darnell loved his time in Green Bay, and we remain optimistic that a deal can get done before the league year,” as reported by ESPN. “But realistically, the window for free agent communication is around the corner, and there will be significant interest in Darnell.”
Savage would be the most expensive player in the Packers’ free agent class this season, according to one league source who has studied the free agent market. The source predicted that Savage would sign a contract with an average yearly salary of between $5 million and $7 million.
Savage and Jeff Hafley, the new defensive coordinator for the Packers, are somewhat connected. Savage’s position coach at the University of Maryland, Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, was one of Hafley’s defensive coaches at Boston College. Actually, throughout the previous two seasons, Abdul-Rahim had Savage use Zoom calls to communicate with BC safeties.
But as of right now, Savage and the Packers have not engaged in any talks.
G. Jon Runyan
When the Packers started rotating Runyan and 2022 second-round pick Sean Rhyan at right guard halfway through the season, it was clear what was coming for the 2020 sixth-round pick.
Runyan sensed it at the end of the season. In his final interview of the season, he broke down in tears discussing his four seasons in Green Bay.
Runyan stated, “The brotherhood is unreal,” as he wiped away his emotions. “This group, everyone within, the people outside the building, and the supporters. It is a unique location. Some truly wonderful folks are present. I really hope I stay. It’s enjoyable. Thank you so much for that.
The Packers would rather have a less expensive option at right guard even if they were pleased with Runyan’s on-field performance and his smooth handling of the rotation at his position. Rhyan, who will count $1.3 million toward the 2024 salary ceiling, is set to enter the third year of his rookie contract.
The source estimates that Runyan’s market value is between $4 and $6 million.
Nixon signed one-year deals with the Packers throughout the last two offseasons. Last year, the first was for the $965,000 veteran minimum and the second was for $4 million.
He provided the Packers with two All-Pro seasons as a kick returner in exchange. He was promoted to nickel cornerback full-time last season.
Because of his dual position, it is more difficult to determine Nixon’s market value and even more difficult to determine whether the Packers will be prepared to pay it.
After the season, Nixon gave the impression that he would rather stay in Green Bay.
“The moment I signed my contract and put that G on my helmet, man, it [meant] everything,” recalled Nixon. “They pour everything into me in this organization, and I pour everything back into them, and two All-Pros later.”
Similar to Savage, Nixon’s deal expired last week, and this season, he will be facing $1.48 million in dead money.
Nobody has assimilated into the community more than Dillon, who wed a native of Green Bay and earned the moniker “Mayor of Door County” for his copious time and efforts on behalf of the Wisconsin summer resort.
Despite having many opportunities to establish himself as the team’s top running back during Jones’ injury this past season, Dillon played more like a No. 2.
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Given that the source pegs his annual compensation at the lowest end of the market, anywhere between $1.5 million and $3 million, he might be an inexpensive candidate to re-sign. Dillon had a bad stinger that kept him out of the last three games, including the playoffs.
“AJ’s been a great member of our team, and certainly I think you gotta have multiple backs in this league,” LaFleur stated. “You must. It’s simply the beating these men receive. Also, I believe that every year around the end of the season, you could truly see how valuable he was.
“It’s one of those strange ailments, the stinger. I firmly anticipate that he will recover completely from it. However, I did tell him that I would really love to have him return.”
Additional important free agents
Three upcoming free agents with starting experience are safety Jonathan Owens, safety Rudy Ford, and tackle Josh Nijman. Both tight end Joshua Deguara (a former third-round pick) and standout special teams player Eric Wilson, who recovered Nixon’s fumble in the playoff game against the 49ers, will be unrestricted free agents.
If they resign, it will probably be on one-year contracts that are more affordable.
The other player whose contract was terminated last week was Nijman, who will lose $2,543,200. As the No. 3 tackle coming into training camp last summer, he was overtaken by Rasheed Walker, who wound up starting at left tackle after Bakhtiari’s recurrent knee issues flared up.
“I think it’s always hard to gauge the future and where the cap’s going to go,” said Gutekunst. “But I think we have a pretty good idea of where it’s going to go, and we feel we’re in pretty good shape right now.”
