3 Players Packers Must Cut in 2023 NFL Offseason

The abysmal 2022 Green Bay Packers campaign is going to set up one of the most interesting offseasons for the team in recent memory.

The past offseason was interesting by itself. From the early drama surrounding whether Aaron Rodgers would retire or be traded to the eventual trade of Davante Adams, there were plenty of questions surrounding the team.

But the conversation revolved around whether the Packers would be Super Bowl contenders or merely a really good football team.

As it turns out, they fell short of even the most modest expectations.

The Packers' 4-7 record has them facing the possibility of a losing season for the first time since 2018, which led to the firing of Mike McCarthy and the dawning of the Matt LaFleur era.

This time, it's going to have to lead to some roster turnover, and these three players should be among those who are cut loose.

OG Royce Newman

AP Photo/Stacy Bengs

Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Royce Newman (70) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

The Packers have certainly had their depth tested on the offensive line over the last two seasons.

This year alone they've had eight different offensive linemen play. In 2021, the number was nine. Overall, the unit has responded better than most would in that situation.

It helps they've had players who can play multiple positions like Elgton Jenkins Jr. and Yosh Nijman, who have played on both sides of the line.

Royce Newman has not proved to be one of those positive assets, though. Newman played at right guard this season but has lost his job. Jon Runyan Jr. is now manning the right guard spot.

Newman has graded out at 58.6 by PFF while allowing four sacks. In 2021, he gave up six sacks and earned a 55.7 grade. That's a big enough sample size to show the Packers would be better off investing his roster spot in someone with higher upside.

The move would save them less than a million against the cap, but this is about improving the quality of depth on the line.

Edge Jonathan Garvin

AP Photo/Darryl Webb

Green Bay Packers linebacker Jonathan Garvin (53) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

While the Packers got a lot of attention for not making big moves at wide receiver in the offseason, their inability to find or develop a third pass-rusher to play alongside Rashan Gary and Preston Smith was another shortcoming.

Gary came up as the third pass-rushing option when Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith were healthy. Eventually, he became good enough to allow the team to watch the former leave for the Minnesota Vikings this offseason.

The problem is they didn't have the best plan to ensure they would have pass-rushing depth. With Gary out for the rest of the season, they are paying the price.

Kingsley Enagbare was the closest thing to an insurance policy they brought in. They used a fifth-round pick on the South Carolina alum.

However, Jonathan Garvin has had his opportunities to step into the role, too. The seventh-round pick from the 2020 draft had just 1.5 sacks last season and hasn't registered a single quarterback takedown despite playing 24 percent of the snaps.

Upgrading the pass rush has to be a priority, and that means replacing Garvin with a more dangerous pass rusher.

S Vernon Scott

Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 16: Green Bay Packers defensive back Vernon Scott (36) pumps up the crowd during a NFL Divisional Playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams at Lambeau Field on January 16, 2021 in Green Bay, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

With Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage creating a formidable duo at safety, Vernon Scott was supposed to become the third safety who could allow defensive coordinator Joe Barry more flexibility with his personnel.

Unfortunately, Scott was placed on injured reserve before the season started after clearing waivers.

Essentially, the other 31 teams had an opportunity to make a move to add Scott to their roster and none were willing to take a shot on him.

When Scott was healthy in his first two seasons, he was unable to crack the defensive rotation. He played 89 defensive snaps as a rookie and followed it up by playing in three games exclusively as a special-teamer in 2021.

The Packers only invested a seventh-round pick in the safety so it wouldn't be the end of the world if they were to just cut their losses.

Savage and Scott are the only safeties already on the payroll for next season. It's a position that will definitely need to be addressed through the draft, free agency or both.

The third-year pro isn't likely to be part of the solution.