The final practice open to the media on Tuesday all but brought a close to the Green Bay Packers off-season program. It began with conditioning and weight training just after the draft, continued with a rookie orientation camp, three weeks of Organized Team Activities and last week was highlighted by the mandatory mini-camp. But even that had just two days of on field work and the veterans were all but cut loose by Friday. Only a handful stayed in town for the last couple of workouts this week including starting outside linebacker Rashan Gary.
Several of the youngsters made some plays during team periods and some two minute drills. Jordan Love got most of the reps at quarterback after Aaron Rodgers made his cameo appearance last week. Love connected with 4th round draft choice Romeo Doubs on a pair of nice plays including a touchdown. Second year receiver Amari Rodgers capped an impressive spring with more timely plays.
Speaking to the media for the last time before the start of training camp, Head Coach Matt Lafleur felt the off-season program hit all the benchmarks and he also had a message for his players heading into their five week vacation.
Among the other veterans who stayed in town for this final week were four players continuing their rehabilitation from major surgeries. That list included David Bakhtiari. The veteran All-Pro left tackle has had several setbacks since undergoing ACL reconstruction at the tail end of the 2020 season. When asked if he’ll be ready for training camp, LaFleur replied, “time will tell”. He hopes Bakhtiari continues to make progress on what he’s shown so far. Pro Bowl offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins, tight end Robert Tonyan and running back Kylin Hill are also on track but it’s too soon to tell how quickly those players will be back on the field after suffering their injuries during the 2021 regular season.
Wide receiver Allen Lazard finally got around to signing his restricted free agent tender offer from the Packers. He’ll make 3.986 million dollars on his one year deal and become an unrestricted free agent after the 2022 season. While Lazard may have entertained hopes Green Bay would lock him up to a long term extension, the Packers appear to see what the 4th year pro does this fall without Davante Adams in the fold before making such a commitment. Even though Lazard signed the deal, he did not practice with the team on Tuesday.
The Packers also changed back-up kickers this week, waiving Dominik Eberle after he had a rough go during the mini-camp. General Manager Brian Gutekunst still wants competition to push veteran Mason Crosby so he claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings, rookie kicker Gabe Brkic. He was an undrafted rookie free agent signed by Minnesota after the draft following a very good career at the University of Oklahoma. Brkic made 57 of his 69 field goal attempts with five over 50 yards his senior year with a career long of 56. He also made 159 of his 160 extra points.
The dates have also been set for the 2022 training camp. Rookies are scheduled to report on July 22, veterans start checking in on July 25. Once physicals and testing is complete, the first practice of camp is set for July 27.
