Packers Drop ex-Vikings WR
Dustin Baker
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The Green Bay Packers are amid their worst season through 13 games (5-8) in 14 years — or 2008, the year Aaron Rodgers took over as a full-time starter.
Packers fans still have faint hopes that the team could “go on a run” and reach the postseason, although the plan requires intricate mathematical hoops. But Green Bay isn’t finished tweaking its 2022 roster, as the Packers front office released former Vikings WR Dede Westbrook on Tuesday.
Westbrook, 29, will now hit free agency and can sign with any team.
A decent punt returner for the Vikings, Westbrook never took off inside Minnesota’s offense. Back in the summer, the Westbrook was “weighing offers” from at least a few NFL teams, reported by Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. He ultimately chose the Packers in November and remained with the club for less than a month.
Westbrook didn’t experience any gametime action in Green Bay, instead spending the month on the practice squad. The Vikings targeted Westbrook just 15 times in their 2021 offense, grabbing 10 receptions for 68 yards. It was the lowest target load of his career in a season with a clean bill of health. At the peak of his power in Jacksonville, Westbrook was targeted 101 times per season (2018 and 2019), so his decision not to re-sign with the Vikings was unsurprising. For special teams, 15 punt returners attempted 20+ punt returns in 2021, and Westbook ranked ninth of the 15 per returned-yards average (8.3). He also fumbled twice.
In six seasons, the 4th-Round draft pick from 2017 has tallied 170 receptions for 1,788 yards and 9 touchdowns. He’s played for the Jaguars, Vikings, and Packers. It is unclear if Westbrook will latch onto another team in 2022.
With the Westbrook move, Green Bay also released DT Jack Heflin while signing OT Jean Delance and C Michael Menet to the practice squad. Green Bay has a 6% chance of reaching the playoffs, per FiveThirtyEight.com.
Green Bay still has one former Vikings on its roster, linebacker Eric Wilson.
The Packers host the Vikings on New Year’s Day at Lambeau Field. Minnesota defeated Green Bay 23-7 to open the 2022 regular season.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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