PurplePTSD: Plundering The Packers

Press release from the PurplePTSD:

K. Joudry

2022-02-01

Recently, Paul Bretl of Dairyland Express published a piece breaking down Green Bay’s 23 free agents. As we know, the Packers are in a difficult financial situation (far worse than Minnesota’s), and moving on from Aaron Rodgers won’t solve matters. There’s very little chance they can retain all of their talent. It’s this reality that makes one wonder if the Vikings will look toward free agents from within the division to help the team reload.

Of course, the most notable name is Davante Adams. Bretl breaks down the contract stalemate: “he and the Green Bay Packers are still off in contract negotiations, with Adams looking to be paid around $30 million per year while the Packers are in the $23 to $25 million range.” Imagine a receiving room that consists of Adams, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen. Don’t bank on this one, folks. The chances of Minnesota making a move for Adams are exceedingly low.

A more realistic receiver option may be Marquez Valdes-Scantling. We all remember him because he torched Xavier Woods earlier in the year.

I’ve long been in favor of the team adding a true burner, someone who really threatens the defense deep. Thielen and Jefferson can do this, but their game isn’t predicated on it. MVS is 6’4 and ran a 4.3 forty. Bringing in a deep threat from this year’s batch of free agents may really help the Vikings offense. Threatening the deep portion of the field will open things up underneath.

There are plenty of other notable options – Lucas Patrick, Robert Tonyan, Whitney Mercilus – but the last name I’ll highlight is De’Vondre Campbell.

Take a look at Bretl’s description: “Campbell was a true game-changer for the middle of this Green Bay Packers defense. He was a reliable tackler, able to limit pass-catchers, he was an effective blitzer, and stout against the run. Essentially pick a key stat among linebackers, and Campbell is very likely ranked near the top.”

Indeed, Campbell had a really great year. The Vikings’ defense desperately needs a talent infusion, and Campbell is among the most intriguing free agents out there. The 28-year-old finished 2nd in PFF’s ranking. One of the most notable components of his past season is that he finished with the 2nd-best pass coverage grade among LBs; he played in the slot in 199 snaps. In other words, the Packers used him in tricky situations and he thrived.

One of the most fascinating things to follow rests in how new Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah handles the league’s free agents. Will he be willing to spend big money, or will he be searching for bargains? Does he fill needs mostly through the draft, or will free agency be a major part of the roster overhaul? We’ll soon know. There may even be a former Packer in there.

This press release was produced by the PurplePTSD. The views expressed here are the author’s own.