2024 offseason primer: Jordan Love extension is priority for Packers

Despite getting off to a 3-6 start, the Green Bay Packers rallied around quarterback Jordan Love to win six of their last eight games and sneak into the playoffs as the No. 7 seed in the NFC.

The team, which finished 9-8, ranked just outside the top 10 offensively, showing signs of ascending into a top-tier unit next year. Green Bay has a strong stable of playmakers around quarterback Jordan Love including running back Aaron Jones, receivers Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks as well as tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft.

Love, who’s in the final year of his rookie contract and will make $12.75M on his fifth-year option, is due a contract extension over the summer. Getting that done is likely GM Brian Gutekunst's top offseason priority.

The Packers defense also needs some serious work. The team ranked 17th in total defense, 16th in sacks and 31st in interceptions, leading to the firing of Joe Barry as defensive coordinator and hiring of Jeff Hafley as his successor.

Here’s what you need to know about Green Bay’s offseason:

PROJECTED 2024 CAP SPACE:  $10.33M (10th-worst in NFL)

FREE AGENTS | Offense: RBs A.J. Dillon and Patrick Taylor; TEs Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis; OTs Yosh Nijman and Caleb Jones; OG Jon Runyan

Defense: LB Eric Wilson; CBs Keisean Nixon and Robert Rochell; Safeties Jonathan Ford, Darnell Savage, Zayne Anderson, Christian Uphoff and Jonathan Owens

Special teams: Punter Daniel Whelan

Outlook: Dillon has been the perfect No. 2 back in Green Bay, averaging 728 yards per season over the last three years. It would make all the sense in the world for GB to keep him around. Runyan is one of the better guards in the league, but he’s likely too pricey for the Packers’ liking. Though the team has seven defensive backs set to hit free agency, none are exactly worthy of being retained. Expect Green Bay to make a push in free agency for serious cornerback and safety help.

2024 DRAFT PICKS: Round 1 (No. 25 overall) | Round 2 (via New York Jets) | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 3 (via Buffalo) | Round 4 | Round 5 | Round 6 | Round 6 | Round 7 | Round 7

TOP DRAFT NEEDS (in order): CB, DL, OL, S, LB — The Packers had the second-fewest interceptions in the NFL in 2023 (seven), so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them grab a cornerback with the 25th pick. Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry or Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw would be a perfect addition opposite Jaire Alexander.

If the team looks to beef up its defensive front, Michigan’s Kris Jenkins (6-foot-3, 304 pounds) or Texas’ T’Vondre Sweat (6-foot-4, 362 pounds) would be a solid Round 1 get. Both can clog up running lanes with their big bodies and get decent pressure on the quarterback.

DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan; T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas; Leonard Taylor, DT, Miami; Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia; Troy Fautanu, OG, Washington; Graham Barton, OT/OG, Duke; Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama; Ennis Rakestraw, CB, Missouri; Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia; Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota; Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami; Payton Wilson, LB, N.C. State; Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M; Junior Colson, LB, Michigan

THREE 2024 STORYLINES TO WATCH:

What kind of extension do the Packers give Love?

How big of a difference does Hafley make with the defense?

What changes are made to bolster the secondary?