Green Bay Packers sign defensive linemen after strong rookie year

The Green Bay Packers have transformed in several ways in just one week.

Last Saturday, Aaron Rodgers and company were preparing to outlast the 49ers at Lambeau Field and make a push toward another Lombardi Trophy.

But the NFL has a way of crushing dreams quickly, and while it’s impossible to deny the regular season success and talent the 2021 Packers had, nothing matters if a team can’t advance in January. It’s a brutal business, and this week has been jam-packed with turnover and moves that will undoubtedly change the organization in 2022.

On Thursday, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Kunekust made a move for the future. The team signed defensive tackle Jack Heflin to a future deal in a move that aligns with several the organization has made since shifting its focus to next season.

The Green Bay Packers released rookie defensive lineman Jack Heflin to make room for the return of Za’Darius Smith and Whitney Mercilus before the team’s playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but he’ll be back to start the new league year in 2022 after signing a futures deal with the Packers.

Heflin is the 13th player to sign a reserve/futures contract in Green Bay since the season ended.

The undrafted rookie came to the Green Bay Packers after an impressive collegiate campaign for the Iowa Hawkeyes. He impressed during training camp and the preseason and earned a spot on the Packers’ 53-man roster to open the season.

While on the active roster all year, Heflin played in only four games as a rookie. He was on the field for 17 defensive snaps and 13 special teams snaps, logging one tackle.

The biggest storylines, other than the coaching carousel that has rocked the Packers’ offensive staff over the last few days– have focused on Davante Adams –who is widely considered the top available free agent at any position for 2022.

It’s obvious the Green Bay Packers brass is making smaller moves now as it prepares for multiple tough decisions.

Both Rasul Douglas and and De’Vondre Campbell have joined Adams on multiple lists as the top available players from Green Bay hitting the market. Whitney Mercilus came over from Houston and proved to be a key contributor when healthy.

All three delivered and were key members of a Packers’ defense that found its groove and shined for most of the season under Joe Barry, but with limited cap space and so many key decisions to be made, it’s obvious the Pack is locking down cheaper, younger players now.

Green Bay Packers star named top free agent for 2022

The Packers have several monumental decisions now that the abrupt offseason has arrived.

ESPN’s Kevin Seifert recently compiled a list of the top available free agents heading into 2022 and Adams was at the top of his list.

“Adams can stake a unique and legitimate claim if he reaches the open market,” the ESPN piece said of the Green Bay Packers star wideout.

“He’s one of the top two or three players at his position, a standing built in part on eight years of learning the nuances of the pro game, yet he’s still at an age when several more elite-level years can reasonably be projected. In the past two seasons, Adams has led the NFL in receptions (238) and touchdown catches (29) and is second in receiving yards (2,927). With that said, it is also reasonable to expect that Adams will strongly favor staying with quarterback Aaron Rodgers next season, wherever that might be.