Allen Lazard, Robert Tonyan, Packers Free Agents' Projected Contracts
Once again, the Green Bay Packers' offseason is going to be defined by what Aaron Rodgers decides to do.
The 39-year-old has yet to announce if he will be playing again in 2023, but Dan Graziano of ESPN reported the Packers have had discussions with the New York Jets about a trade involving their future Hall of Famer quarterback.
So even if Rodgers decides to come back, it could be time for the franchise to officially turn things over to the Jordan Love era.
More decisions await when Green Bay does settle on a direction at quarterback. Its free-agency class includes multiple starters on offense and defense. Most notably, Allen Lazard and Robert Tonyan's contracts are up.
Coming off a disappointing 8-9 season, the Packers are going to have to decide whether signing those players is going to help them in the next phase of their team.
That starts with getting an idea of what kind of contract they will get in free agency. Here's a look at what those deals could look like for three key names.
WR Allen Lazard
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Allen Lazard has been incredible value for the Packers over the last four years. As an undrafted free agent, they have been able to keep him under contract at a controlled cost. He's never made more than $4 million per year.
That's going to change with his new contract, though.
Lazard will hit unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career this offseason. The 6'5", 227-pounder is an enormous target with the ability to win downfield. It's a skill set that is going to be widely desired.
It helps the 27-year-old that this class of free-agent receivers is relatively shallow. He'll be contending with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jakobi Meyers and Odell Beckham Jr. as some of the top options available.
So, it wouldn't be surprising to see Lazard get paid more than the three-year, $37.6 million Spotrac projects he will be worth on the open market.
That scarcity of receivers who can actually serve as an upgrade could create a bidding war for the Iowa State product, especially because of what he brings to the table as a blocker and a big receiver.
Projected contract: Three years, $39 million.
TE Robert Tonyan
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Robert Tonyan is an interesting evaluation as a free agent in 2022. He's been a relatively cost-effective starter when healthy but hasn't broken out beyond that.
The 2020 season offered some hope that the 28-year-old could be something more. He hauled in 11 touchdowns and 88.1 percent of his targets, but he tore his ACL halfway through the 2021 season and came back with another season of mediocre production (53 receptions, 470 yards and two touchdowns.
The good news is that if the Packers want him back, he is unlikely to cost a lot. The free-agent group has some good options this year, including Dalton Schultz and Mike Gesicki.
If a team is looking for a difference-maker they are willing to pay, it's likely to be one of those two guys. If not, the market has several options at or above replacement level. Hayden Hurst and Austin Hooper will likely be considerations for any team with interest in Tonyan.
Hurst went to the Bengals on a one-year $2.5 million contract last year, but Spotrac projects a one-year, $5 million contract for Tonyan this season.
It's hard to believe teams will give him twice what the Bengals gave Hurst.
Projected contract: One year, $4 million.
S Adrian Amos
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Adrian Amos is hitting free agency at an inopportune time for himself. The final year of his four-year, $35.5 million contract was easily the worst.
The 29-year-old surrendered a passer rating of 107.7 in 2022 and has been charged with giving up nine touchdowns over the last two seasons. The former Bears safety was a good addition in 2019, but his play has clearly dropped off.
Amos was ranked 81st out of 88 safeties graded by PFF, and the Packers could clearly use an upgrade at the position.
Spotrac projects that the Penn State product could get a three-year, $20.7 million contract. Given his play over the last two seasons and the fact that he's approaching 30, that seems like a long shot.
Perhaps there are teams that will be willing to pay for his leadership and physicality. He would be a good veteran addition for a relatively young secondary. But the Packers should be in the market to pay a safety whose play could elevate the unit.
Amos isn't that guy anymore and his free-agent market will likely reflect that.
Projected contract: One year, $5.5 million
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