The Green Bay Packers’ success this season has shocked many people, especially given that they have the youngest roster in the NFL. The truth is, the team can still improve, and it may require letting Christian Watson and Kenny Clark go.
The essential takeaway here is that Jordan Love will be the Packers’ deciding factor next season. As seen by his first full season as the team’s primary quarterback following Aaron Rodgers’ trade, the 25-year-old is unquestionably the future of this organization.
Even if Love’s critical mistake secured the San Francisco 49ers’ path to the NFC championship, the improvement he has demonstrated all season is incentive enough to build around him quickly. Of course, that includes acquiring young talent through the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, in which Green Bay has eight draft picks at its disposal.
Another option for the Packers is to pursue free agency and immediately sign key players from other teams. However, in order to create room for these guys, certain members of the roster will undoubtedly be released.
The Green Bay Packers are expected to trade Christian Watson and Kenny Clark during the 2024 offseason.
This is exactly the mindset the Packers are expected to have when the offseason begins. According to an article from Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department:
“If no deal is reached, longtime left tackle David Bakhtiari would most likely be released. He’s 33, and knee problems have restricted him to just 13 games over the last three seasons. Bakhtiari’s market may be restricted to Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets, but Green Bay would be dumb not to pursue a deal,” the Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department stated.
Although Bakhtiari’s name appears first, the following players may see more demand in the market than he.
“Defensive tackle Kenny Clark, meanwhile, is a fantastic player, but he is nearing the end of his contract.” He’d likely generate a higher return than Bakhtiari, and dealing him after June 1 would save $21 million in cap space. Christian Watson, a receiver and 2022 second-round pick, has fallen out of favor in the offense as other young pass catchers such as Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks have emerged. It’s worth seeing whether another team is prepared to take a chance on Watson,” the story continued.
Dealing these three players, notably Clark and Watson, may benefit the Packers in the offseason. If Green Bay plays its cards correctly over that period, the roster will be better than it is currently. In the process, the Jordan Love-squad may overcome the adversity and surprise everyone again by reaching the Super Bowl.
