I can replace Savage - It’s just this easy-
DeJean could drop-
Kameren Kinchens - could play SS and FS too.
Tyler Nubin - would tackle better.
Bullock - a FS that would Intercept the ball.

Not to mention 3 possibilities later.

Did you read the article?

Savage: I don't like the player either, but TGR points out that if you send him packing, you're still paying approximately 5 million.. apparently, you are not willing to pay a back up starting numbers, but you're 100% okay with paying starting numbers for nobody? That is what my mother used to call "biting off your nose to spite your face."

Assuming TGR's analysis of the cap ramification is correct, (and it usually is), the theoretical choice is paying approximately 5 million for nobody in 2024 if you choose to get rid of Savage, or restructuring him and retaining him as a backup with 5 years of starting experience and possibly only having a 4 million hit in 2024- effectively freeing up 1M in cap space in 2024 and having your back up safety.

Let me reiterate, I don't like Savage and I'd rather see him gone, but if the man would agree to an extension where he'd serve as a backup / rotational player and we're getting something for our money instead of cutting him and getting absolutely nothing for our money, I'll deal with my philosophical differences and except the ugly reality that we've got to pay the piper for these ugly voided years contracts and we might as well do it in the most sensible way possible.

Nixon: He's a good return man, although I think his yardage is inflated to a great extent only because he returned an awful lot of kick offs that he probably should have fair-catched (which often would have net the team better field position, but would have resulted in zero return yards for Nixon.) I do think he's got explosive return potential, but he's not a great decision maker and I don't think he's as good a returner as his stats projected.

In terms of playing on defense- he's not it. He's a poor slot DB and I don't think he's an up and coming leader. Availability is nice, but the Packers should be looking to improve at the position. Your pass defense is only as strong as your weakest link. Much like Savage, if he would agree to a contract that projects to a depth signing, sure, I'm for that. But he should not be resigned with the expectation of being one of the top 3 corners for this team.

Savage was an ascending player under Pettine but immediately regressed under Barry. To me that means that he was miscast in the Barry scheme.

Nixon can go if you ask me. He is a KR only. As a CB he was a huge liability in coverage. Perhaps he could become a backup deep safety as he has decent hands for a DB.

Nijman can go as well. He regressed during the year and will cost too much.

By the way- 2023 comparison:

Carrington Valentine, 7th round, pick #234 in 2023 (Rookie) was targeted 61 times and gave up 35 receptions.

Keisean Nixon, Undrafted FA signing in 2019 (5th year player) was targeted 77 times.. and gave up 63 receptions.

You need to upgrade at CB from Keisean Nixon.

I would also keep Keisean Nixon. Sure upgrading the position would be great, but we have little to no depth at the position and Nixon has proven to be serviceable.

I have a ton of respect for what he contributed this past year. In my mind, it was an incredibly risky move to hope that a primarily special teams player could step up and be our starting slot corner. I personally thought it was going to be a disaster. But Nixon brought intensity, tackled well, did just enough in coverage, and was available all season. If he got hurt or was a mess, I don’t think we make the playoffs.

So yes I’d definitely like to upgrade the position but I also feel like Nixon deserves recognition for what he brought to the team when they really needed it.

@UH-Some say Wilks was the fall guy.

Who's Kyle going to fire for the 49ers first half ineptitude on offense and his players not knowing the overtime rules? Didn't they settle for a field goal on their overtime possession?

Yep- How long did they keep Lowrey-
Perfectly stated.

Shouldn't there be one category for underachievers, and another for stiffs? Dean Lowry was a stiff that overachieved upon occasion. Savage may be an underachiever in some areas, but when he's given tasks in his wheelhouse he excels.

You can't lump the underachievers in with the stiffs. That's the equivalent of grouping hoarders with ventriloquists.

He showed his speed on the pick six against Dallas. Speed is definitely not Savage’s issue. The Packers have previously said they time him at 4.36 for the 40. That’s the kind of speed shown on that return.

That’s why it’s a shame he struggles with recognition and angles playing deep. He’s an athletic fit for FS but plays better when he’s instinctive closer to the line not in diagnosing developing plays. Unfortunately his tackling is a consistent weakness, which undermines him as a true box safety, particularly when run support is a significant part of that role, as it has been with Hafley Ds.

Id bring back Nixon in principle not merely for cap for three reasons. Firstly he improved with playing time over the season, his first really playing D. Secondly he has been a reliable kick returner and playmaker at times and a decent punt return option. How quickly we forget what can happen without that. Thirdly, we need depth at slot and he provides that and particularly in run support. I would draft to compete and surpass but with him on board.

The problem with Nixon is what will he demand and what will other teams value him at as a returner and defensive depth? What is his market? If he thinks he can get a big offer he’s gone to FA as he will price himself out here. If that didn’t materialize then he could be brought back. We may offer him a better chance of defensive playing time than others. It all depends on him and his agent, but I’d try to reach a sensible extension.

Nijman was a decent LT while Bakh was out. He obviously isn’t a favorite and was treated like an unwonted spare. Was that because his play fell off a cliff or why? He was thrown out in the playoffs without practice time at RT having been at LT again all season. He was known to apparently struggles with that transition as well. If were him I’d go anywhere but back to us. I don’t think he will have a problem finding a better situation to compete in for him.

I expect Owens to be back. We have nothing at S except a very raw Johnson Jr who looks like a FS in this type of scheme and perhaps Sapp can be a box type SS, but I’m not relying on either. Owens was cheap and OK in the box. I think he suits a Hafley type D SS adequately. Id sign a FA to start at FS and draft to get better behind that with Owens as a transitional piece. I don’t see him having a significant market. I think there is a good chance that works for both sides. If he does get interest, they perhaps bring back Ford.

I think there won't be a lot of centerfielder, FS types on the FA market--they're just too valuable. Even average ones stay put. Winfield will never get there. Savage, despite his test numbers, has never been that guy.

I agree with Lare: I think Hafley will make the call on what he needs and whether someone like Savage can give him quality snaps. Maybe he has an insight into his regression and inconsistency, or sees a narrowed role where Savage could be a competent and consistent player? If I'm Hafley, I don't think that's a hill I'd want to die on. TGR makes a reasonable fiscal argument that would underlie Savage being brought back.

In the end, Savage is feeling a lot like Kevin King: injuries, inconsistent play--the big difference is that the Packers are on the hook for money on Savage wheras they really weren't with King. They turned around and brought King back to be the #3/4 CB...here, they'll have to make that call long before Savage gets on the market.

"Nixon I feel like could be a good safety. He is a good tackler and it seems like he plays well with plays in front of him."

You've just described a lot of FA strong safeties out there who got added to rosters when they expanded to 90.

Based on the way the offense played last season and the prospect for a good draft this team has real Super Bowl potential if they stay healthy and get a consistent kicker. Looking for "adequate" starters on the defense defeats that goal. How many wins were possible last season when all they needed was one more defensive stop.

Well stated Leatherhead