After an impressive season that was cut short by a loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Green Bay Packers are heading into the offseason determined to improve. To do this, the franchise plans to part ways with two players while extending Darnell Savage.
Even after Aaron Rodgers was transferred to the New York Jets, the Packers outperformed expectations this season, owing to a timely surge by Jordan Love. The end result is a remarkable playoff run that was cut short not only by the 49ers, but also by a series of mistakes made by the club during that important game.
While Green Bay dominated the game for the most part, Anders Carlson and Love made costly blunders in the closing two minutes. As a result, San Francisco progressed to the NFC Championship Game and, eventually, the Super Bowl, where they faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
their playoff departure has offered the Packers an opportunity to improve, either through the draft or by signing free agents who can assist them achieve their goal.
Green Bay Packers expected to keep Darnell Savage while losing two key players to free agency
Aside from the draft, the Packers will need to retool their roster by deciding which players will stay and which will be released. According to Rob Demovsky’s analysis:
“The young Packers don’t have many must-sign free agents; running back AJ Dillon and guard Jon Runyan will probably have to look elsewhere. But [Darnell] Savage may be one to return. The 2019 first-round pick has been complimented for his leadership and communication abilities, and he would most likely prefer to return to the Packers, who may need two new starting safety if Savage does not return. He had 51 tackles in 10 regular-season games, including a crucial pick-six in Green Bay’s wild-card victory against [the] Dallas Cowboys,” Demovsky said.
It only makes sense for the Packers to part ways with Dillon and Runyan, considering these two players were not particularly important to the team’s performance this season. On the other hand, Savage’s extension is viewed as necessary because the safety has proven himself to be a strong leader and contributor to the Packers’ success.
What changes the Packers will make this offseason remains to be seen. What is known is that the franchise will make significant investments before and during the draft to improve the team’s talent. In any event, Green Bay will be busy in the following months before the new season begins.
