Mobile, Ala. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Wednesday at the Pro Bowl in Miami he hoped the team would retain many of its 13 players who will become free agents.
"I hope it's very bright," Rodgers said when asked about the Packers' future. "Our key is going to be (that) we've got to bring back a lot of those same guys we had last year. A lot of guys' contracts are up this year. Thankfully, I'm just paid to play. There are some tough decisions that are going to have to be made this season. As long as we can keep that core group of guys together. I believe in (coach) Mike McCarthy and the direction that he is taking this team."
Rodgers may not get his wish.
According to multiple sources assembled at the Senior Bowl, the Packers' off-season plan doesn't include retaining all of their free agents.
The Packers' top priority is re-signing nose tackle Ryan Pickett, who is one of five Packers set to become unrestricted free agents.
There have been ongoing contract discussions between the Packers and Pickett's agent, Kennard McGuire, for some time. There is hope on both sides that a contract will be reached in the next month, if not the next few weeks.
Beyond Pickett, the Packers haven't entered into contract talks with any of their other free agents.
In the unrestricted category are left tackle Chad Clifton, right tackle Mark Tauscher, linebacker Aaron Kampman and running back Ahman Green.
The restricted free agents are offensive linemen Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz, end Johnny Jolly, cornerback Will Blackmon, safeties Nick Collins, Atari Bigby and Derrick Martin, and fullback John Kuhn.
But once Pickett's deal is done, the Packers will move to retain Clifton, who will be 34 by the time training camp starts. While the Packers will be actively looking for a left tackle in the draft and via trade, Clifton is viewed as a safeguard.
General manager Ted Thompson said this week that T.J. Lang, a fourth-round pick in 2009, can play left tackle and will be given a chance to do so.
"We'll see," Thompson said. "He's got some growing to do."
Of the Packers' other unrestricted free agents, offering Kampman a contract is the only move they are set to do.
Thompson said he thinks Kampman can complete the transition to outside linebacker, that the team wants him back and will make an effort to re-sign Kampman.
When asked if the team will definitely offer Kampman a contract, Thompson said: "I'm sure we will."
Whether that offer comes close to the market value for Kampman or anything more than the June 1 tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights once training camps start remains to be seen.
Kampman is coming back from ACL surgery, and his timetable for returning to the field will factor into when an offer is made.
As for Tauscher, the Packers may make an offer, but it's almost certain to be on the low side.
Thompson said Breno Giacomini, a fifth-round pick in '08 who was active for three games his first two seasons, will be expected to compete for the job.
"Breno's a good player," Thompson said. "You know, as you evolve in the NFL, eventually you're going to have to go out there and sink or swim, and we're going to ask a lot of our guys, and he's going to be one of them."
Rodgers has publicly advocated for Tauscher's re-signing.
According to sources, the Packers will keep Green in mind but wouldn't mind adding a faster back in the draft. Whether it's Green or another player, the Packers want starter Ryan Grant to have someone pushing him. They felt Green did that this past season.
The Packers' most difficult and interesting decisions will be on their restricted free agents.
Collins will almost certainly have the highest tender placed on him - a first- and third-round pick - because they have to offer him 110% of his 2009 salary, which was $3.045 million after an escalator kicked in.
Collins still wants a long-term contract from the Packers.
Two players who could be in for a surprise as far as their tenders go are Colledge and Bigby.
The Packers, according to sources, are discussing whether to make Colledge a second-round tender or none at all. Either way it could lead to problems with Colledge, who feels he is worth more to the team.
Affecting the decision on Colledge is the fact the Packers like Spitz, and he can play left guard. He was a third-round pick, so if they tender him there, there is likely to be fierce competition for Spitz - even though he is coming off back surgery. Teams have inquired about Spitz via trade in the past.
Bigby was a second-round tender a year ago, but after two injury-filled seasons and some lackluster play late in the season, the Packers may withdraw any tender if they find a safety in the draft.
The Packers are likely to tender Jolly at a second-round level. Blackmon (fourth round), Derrick Martin (sixth) and Kuhn (undrafted) will likely receive the lowest tender, which gives the Packers a chance to match any offer.