The Green Bay Packers have a number of key players hitting free agency this offseason, including James Jones, James Starks, Mason Crosby and BJ Raji. The team likely will try and retain some of those players, but there is a chance that some of those names could sign elsewhere for 2016.
The Packers made the playoffs this past season and won against the Redskins in the wild card round, but overall the season was a disappointment for the team. The offense did not perform up to its usual standards with Aaron Rodgers and players like Eddie Lacy, Davante Adams and Randall Cobb performed below expectations for Mike McCarthy. The Packers now have some major decisions to make in the offseason and that includes whether to sign back certain free agents or to go after some other veterans on the market.
The Packers do not usually go big in free agency during the offseason, but this year the team could consider making more moves than usual after the disappointing play of the offense in 2015. According to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, McCarthy has been "fed up" with how GM Ted Thompson has handled free agency in the past and he is hoping that the team will look at adding players this offseason to add depth at certain positions.
While the Packers likely will still not go crazy in free agency this offseason, there is a chance the team dips into the market more than usual. The team could an upgrade at tight end moving into 2016 and injuries at wide receiver last season could push the team to consider that position as well. Jordy Nelson will return from injury and the emergence of Jeff Janis late in the season could push Davante Adams down on the depth chart after he also dealt with injury issues.
Players like Travis Benjamin and Rishard Matthews could be potential options, while tight ends like Antonio Gates, Coby Fleener, Garrett Celek, Ladarius Green, and Benjamin Watson will be available. The Packers did not get much from Richard Rodgers and Andrew Quarless last season and that could spark some movement in free agency on a veteran player.
Aaron Rodgers struggled at times this season and was not nearly as productive as he was last year and one reason why could be due to injuries. According to ESPN.com, Rodgers underwent arthroscopic knee surgery following the playoffs loss to the Arizona Cardinals in January. The report says that the procedure was a minor one and that it was a "cleanup of an old injury."
That injury could have been from earlier in the season and could have been a factor in Rodgers having his lowest amount of passing yards in a full season since back in 2010. Overall Rodgers still had a strong season, but he had his lowest completion percentage since taking over as the Packers starter and only had three 300-yard games last season.