Many were surprised when the Green Bay Packers decided to pick up the fifth year option on 2019 first round pick Darnell Savage. While the Packers’ former safety had decent seasons in each of his first two years, his production on the field plummeted in his third year.
Green Bay hoped that 2021 was a fluke and Savage would return to form, so they picked up his fifth year option despite his allowing a 117.4 passer rating and eight touchdowns when targeted. Unfortunately, his play did not get much better in 2022, and he gave up a 114.2 passer rating when targeted and a career-worst 68.2% completion percentage.
Due to the $7.9 million salary of the fifth year option, and the fact it would count against the cap whether he was on the team or not, Green Bay had no choice but to play him last season, too.
The results were as expected, if not worse. Not only did Savage struggled to stay on the field due to injuries, he allowed 78.3% of passes thrown his way to be caught and missed 13.6% of his tackle attempts.
The Green Bay Packers Look to Avoid the Same Mistake with Eric Stokes
Savage, of course, was not re-signed by the Packers and allowed to become a free agent. He signed a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this offseason.
It appears that the Packers may have learned their lesson on taking chances on fifth year options on defensive backs that either struggled on the field or struggled to get on the field at all.
Mike Garaflolo of NFL Network posted on X (formerly Twitter):
The #Packers are declining the fifth-year option for CB Eric Stokes, source says. The 29th pick in 2021, Stokes played well as a rookie but has battled injuries the past two years. He’s slated for free agency next spring and can make a case for a big payday if he stays healthy. pic.twitter.com/oAjQlCeGfn
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) May 2, 2024
As Garafolo notes, Stokes was a first round pick in 2021 and played extremely well. As a rookie, he had 14 pass breakups and allowed a completion percentage of just 49.5%.
Eric Stokes Struggled in 2022 Before a Series of Injuries
Through nine games of his sophomore season, Stokes allowed an 80.0% completion percentage, His struggles on the field were apparent, yet there was hope that young defensive back would be able to turn it around.
Unfortunately, a severe foot fracture midseason caused him to miss not only the rest of the 2022 season, but the beginning of 2023 as well.
When Stokes was able to come back, he suffered a series of hamstring injuries that limited him to just three games last season.
Unsure of whether or not Stokes will be able to remain healthy, or that he will return to the level of player that he was in 2021, the Packers decided to turn down his option.
The Green Bay Packers Have Several Young Exciting Defensive Backs
The Packers’ defensive backs are led by two-time All-Pro Jaire Alexander, who is in Green Bay for voluntary offseason workouts. Last year, he decided not to attend these workouts.
In addition to Alexander, the Packers have Carrington Valentine, a seventh round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft who played very well in relief of the injured veterans last season. Corey Ballentine and Keisean Nixon are also returning in 2024.
Green Bay also went out and signed the best free agent safety on the market, Xavier McKinney, and drafted three exciting safeties in Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, and Kitan Oladapo. Each of the three rookie safeties are also expected to compete for snaps at nickel.
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