Potential 2013 Green Bay Packers roster changes
The Green Bay Packers season is over and now we look onto 2013 to see what the roster changes might look like. The Packers will face the retirement of Donald Driver most likely, and that loss will be compounded by the loss of Greg Jennings. Parting ways with a wide receiver of Jennings’ caliber will be a tough decision, but this Packers wide receiver core doesn’t lack talent. Not to mention the plethora of wide receivers that will enter the market in 2013 from Dwayne Bowe to Victor Cruz. If the Packers lose Jennings, they can find or draft a replacement without too many headaches.
From the wide receivers comes the running back position and the Packers could resign Cedric Benson, but I have a feeling they’ll ride Alex Green for 2013. Benson is simply too old and injury prone as was seen in 2012 to be considered for a long-term contract. The tight end position will continue with Jermichael Finley, but Tom Crabtree will be allowed to leave in 2013. However the tight end depth in free agency for 2013 is tremendous. Jared Cook, Fred Davis, Dustin Keller, Brandon Myers and even Martellus Bennett are notable names that could add an element to the passing game to make up for the loss of Jennings if that occurs.
The defense of the Packers will look pretty much the same, but the Pack will lose linebackers Brad Jones, Erik Walden, Rob Francois and Frank Zombo. Most of them are more backups and depth guys, but there are a lot of 3-4 linebackers hitting the market in 2013. Manny Lawson and Anthony Spencer are available, but there have also been rumors of Brian Urlacher coming to the Packers in 2013. The transition from 4-3 to 3-4 inside linebacker seems a stretch for Urlacher, but that’s just what the rumor mill has been spitting out recently. The Packers will most likely keep half of the linebackers lost and sign two, but Manny Lawson or Anthony Spencer wouldn’t be bad fits if they wanted some more pass rushers.
The only surprising losses that could happen are Sam Shields who is a restricted free agent in 2013 and even the possible retirement of ole man Charles Woodson. Both Shields and Woodson could remain on the roster, but there is a high likelihood they may both be gone in 2013. However that shouldn’t be a concern, because the defensive back selection in 2013 is gangbusters. Brent Grimes, Tracy Porter, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Aqib Talib are all available. All four are starters and are available if something comes up with Shields or Woodson.
Most of the Packers roster is largely intact for 2013. The losses of Jennings, Driver, Woodson and Shields will be sad, but the core of the team is still solid. The Packers are always great at drafting new talent and the positions that will lose talent are easily replaceable in the marketplace. We’ll keep updating you on any new events that happen to the roster, but Packer fans can sleep easy in 2013. Let’s all look forward to another great season of Packer football in 2013.
James Cobern is a Featured Journalist for TPF and can be contacted at JCobern@ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com.
You clearly dont know very much about the packers. They have always built through the draft and work to keep those core players. They rarely if ever pick up named free agents so picking up any player on your lists above from TE to WR just wont happen. They will lose Jennings and Driver but there is no way they will lose shields and woodson? Where did you get the retirement idea from. There is no chance ever. He just switched from a corner position to safety and he would retire now? No logic. Unfortunately, Benson isnt going anywhere either. Next year will be benson, green, and harris.
First of all, yes. The Packers always build through the draft, but that would destroy your logic about keeping Sam Shields. He’s a restricted free agent and any offer he gets has to be matched by the Packers. Putting the Packers in a situation where they don’t have much power over his future contract. The Packers will get draft picks for his loss, but Shields is gone. Unless they use the franchise tag on him. Secondly, Woodson was the biggest cap hit in 2012 and will be the biggest cap hit in 2013 too, for a safety that will have a reduced role in 2013. They already saw how he held up against Kaepernick, and the Packers will have to prepare for the 49ers in the future. Lastly, the Packers don’t go after big name free agents, but Dwayne Bowe and the tight ends mentioned aren’t big names. They won’t command big contracts and the Packers will consider adding more weapons to pair with Finley. When you lose a proven weapon(Jennings), you add weapons anywhere you can. One obvious area they can add weapons in free agency on the cheap is the tight end position.
They just released Woodson.
i love when people that don’t know anything about the packers try to write serious articles about the packers
I love when people think they know everything about the Packers.
Ted Thompson has signed but 2 legitimate free agents, Woodson and Pickett and both have been solid for several seasons, the team is and will continue to be built through the draft and outstanding selection and signing of non-drafted free agents. Why, because the only free agent in history that made a Super Bowl impact in a short time has been Reggie White, the rest are over paid retreads in most cases. If Thompson does sign a veteran free agent it shows how he has a hole that he was not aware of that needs immediate help. That is the “Packer Way”. the author needs to do some due diligence before putting pen to paper.
The Packers showed against the SF 49ers that, the holes are deep on this roster on defense, and the loss of Jennings severely hampered them this season.