Has the Packers' Roster Improved, Stayed the Same, or Gotten Worse?
By Carter Semb
The Packers have already had a busy month of March. Seven starters are no longer on the team. Players who combined to play over 3,300 offensive snaps, 3,000 defensive snaps, and 700 special teams snaps are gone. The Packers signed three players in free agency, but it’s fair to say that more was lost than gained.
Brian Gutekunst is banking on some addition by subtraction. He let some key players go because he felt comfortable with some in-house replacements. He also prioritized gaining draft capital and cap space rather than spending significant money in free agency. It’s smart thinking for the long-term, but does it come at the price of the short-term outlook?
The roster is far from finished. There’s still a lot of ballgame left. The draft is only a month away, and there will be another wave of free agents signed sometime after that. But now that the first wave of free agency has wound down, it felt appropriate to take a position-by-position look at which groups have improved, which groups have stayed the same, and which groups have gotten worse.
#Packers roster turnover in past week:
Quay Walker ➡️ Zaire Franklin
Colby Wooden ➡️ Javon Hargrave
Nate Hobbs ➡️ Benjamin St-Juste
Romeo Doubs ➡️ Matthew Golden
Rasheed Walker ➡️ Jordan Morgan
Skyy Moore, an actual return specialistBrian Gutekunst checked a lot of boxes.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) March 13, 2026
Quarterback
Jordan Love is back, and assuming he stays healthy all season, nothing else really matters. That said, Love hasn’t proven he can stay healthy for all 17 games. The Packers were fortunate to have arguably the league’s best backup in Malik Willis, but Willis earned himself a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins. The only other quarterbacks under contract are Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord, who were both added late last season. The departure of Willis leaves a massive void, and one that Ridder and McCord probably won’t fill.
The Packers will also be without Sean Mannion, who was hired to be the new offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. Mannion was considered one of the best young offensive minds. He was replaced by Luke Getsy, who has experience coaching quarterbacks, but isn’t exactly a fresh, innovative voice.
Bottom line: The quarterback group has gotten significantly worse without a proven backup on the roster.
Running Back
Josh Jacobs will return as Green Bay’s bell cow running back. He’s coming off a bit of a down year, rushing for only 929 yards while battling injuries throughout the year. The 28-year-old running back will head into his eighth season, so it’s fair to wonder how much he has left in the tank. The Packers also prioritized retaining Chris Brooks, the ultra-versatile, do-a-little-of-everything back. MarShawn Lloyd will be back for his third year with the team, but the team can’t rely on him to stay healthy until proven otherwise.
Emmanuel Wilson is the main loss for the running back group. After the Packers extended Brooks, Wilson signed with the Seattle Seahawks. The Packers will definitely need someone to step into Wilson’s role as the number two guy. Damien Martinez and Pierre Strong Jr. are candidates. Regardless, Gutekunst will need to add another body via the draft.
Bottom line: The running back group has gotten worse.
Wide Receiver
The Packers lost a significant contributor in Romeo Doubs. Doubs signed a four-year deal worth up to $80 million with the New England Patriots. Doubs played more snaps (780) than any other skill player for the Packers last season. He also led the team in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns. That’s a pretty significant hole to fill.
Matthew Golden is the obvious choice to step into the void left by Doubs. The former first-round pick is more of an explosive threat, but Doubs was Love’s go-to player on third down and in the red zone. Christian Watson and Jayden Reed will also step into larger roles. Dontayvion Wicks, Savion Williams, and Skyy Moore will round out the receiving corps, giving the Packers plenty of options and depth. The Packers also hired a new, young wide receivers coach in Noah Pauley.
Bottom line: The wide receiver group has gotten worse today, but this group could end up being better by season’s end if they reach their potential.
Tight End
Tight end won’t look much different in 2026, but there are reasons for concern. Tucker Kraft is recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered on November 2. The Packers will also be without John FitzPatrick, who was a valued blocker, due to a torn Achilles tendon.
Kraft might not start the season at full health, but he’s expected to return sooner rather than later. Luke Musgrave will return, but he doesn’t provide anything in the run game and hasn’t consistently found his footing as a pass catcher. Josh Whyle will also return to round out the group, but likely in a limited role.
Bottom line: The tight end group has gotten worse until Tucker Kraft is back to full health.
Offensive Line
The Packers are hoping for some addition by subtraction with this group. The Packers released starting center Elgton Jenkins to save themselves $19 million in salary cap space. Then they let starting left tackle Rasheed Walker sign with the Carolina Panthers in free agency. That’s 1,525 snaps they will need to replace. To make matters worse, it was a much smaller deal than expected for Walker, so the Packers won’t get the compensatory pick they were hoping for.
As dire as it might seem, the Packers might be better off. Jordan Morgan will take over at left tackle, and he could have a higher ceiling than Walker did. He will also have a full offseason to prepare at one position. Anthony Belton will also get a full offseason to prepare as a guard. The Packers also liked what they saw in Sean Rhyan at center. They re-signed him on a three-year, $33 million deal. The starting offensive line is now expected to be Morgan, Banks, Rhyan, Belton, and Tom. The team did retain Darian Kinnard as the sixth offensive lineman and swing tackle, but the unit’s depth definitely took a hit.
Bottom line: The offensive line will be improved, but everyone needs to stay healthy.
DT Javon Hargrave's son was stoked to hear his dad was going to be a Packer 🤩
🎥 via IG/grave_digger97#NFLonDAZN #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/02panNcllE
— NFL on DAZN (@NFLonDAZN) March 13, 2026
Interior Defensive Line
The Packers had plenty of issues along the defensive line last season. To make matters worse, Gutekunst traded Colby Wooden, one of his starting defensive tackles, to the Indianapolis Colts to fill a separate hole. Wooden was going into the final year of his contract, but the contract was inexpensive, and he was coming off the best year of his young career.
Gutekunst replaced Wooden by signing Javon Hargrave to a two-year, $23 million deal. Hargrave is known for his abilities as a pass rusher, but he won’t really help the run defense. Hargrave will join a group that contains Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Warren Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse, Jordan Riley, and Jonathan Ford. Hargrave will help, but the Packers still lack a quality nose tackle.
Bottom line: Overall, the interior defensive line has stayed the same. The interior pass rush should be improved, but the run defense could get worse.
Edge Rushers
The Packers might end up starting the 2026 season with Lukas Van Ness and Barryn Sorrell as their primary edge rushers. Yikes. Brenton Cox and Collin Oliver are the only other healthy edge rushers as of today. Hopefully, Sorrell and Oliver can take a second-year jump, but that’s a big ask. Not to mention, there could be a learning curve transitioning from a 4-3 to a 3-4. On the bright side, Micah Parsons will be back from his torn ACL at some point. He’s good enough to make any position group elite.
Rashan Gary was pretty bad for the Packers down the stretch. He didn’t record a sack after Week 8 and was often seen lightly jogging after opposing quarterbacks. The Packers were able to offload Gary to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2027 fourth-round pick. Kingsley Enagbare won’t return either after signing a one-year, $10 million deal with the New York Jets. The Packers should receive a compensatory pick in return, but that’s still 1,121 snaps vacated. Brian Gutekunst will need to add more bodies via the draft in April.
Bottom line: With or without Micah Parsons, the edge group has gotten worse until they prove otherwise. There's just too much unknown to be considered "improved," even when Parsons is back.
Off-Ball Linebacker
Zaire Franklin is one of the bigger additions that Brian Gutekunst made this offseason. The former All-Pro will join a style of defense he’s thrived in before, but he is coming off his worst year as a starter. The Packers are hoping he will return to his 2024 form, and are betting on it by giving him a pay raise. Franklin will join a linebacker group that returns Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper, Nick Niemann, and Kristian Welch. Newly hired Sam Siefkes will now lead this group as the linebackers coach.
Quay Walker is the noteworthy omission from the list, but his performance over the last four years was inconsistent and frustrating. Walker signed a three-year, $40.5 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders after reportedly turning down extension offers to stay in Green Bay. The Packers should earn a compensatory pick with Walker leaving in free agency.
Bottom line: The linebacker group is going to be improved, and the compensatory pick and money saved are an added bonus.
More comments from Zaire Franklin's interview on the Jim Rome Show (@jimrome), about what went through his mind when he found out he was traded to Green Bay:
“I mean, you know, first thing first, you know, a lot of respect for the head coach, Coach LaFleur. Obviously, we played… https://t.co/JSD5M3AQjI pic.twitter.com/AUYGltjfAV
— Matt Froehlich (@Matt_Fra_) March 13, 2026
Cornerback
Look away, Packers fans. Keisean Nixon will return as one of the starting cornerbacks. Carrington Valentine will compete for the other starting spot. The only addition Brian Gutekunst has made to the cornerback position is Benjamin St-Juste, who was a part-time player last season, but earned a 75.6 grade from PFF in 356 snaps. Kamal Hadden was retained but is coming off a significant ankle injury. Daniel Bullocks will assume the role of cornerbacks coach with the departure of Derrick Ansley.
The most notable move Gutekunst made was releasing Nate Hobbs just one year after signing him to a four-year, $48 million deal. Hobbs battled injuries all year and struggled to get comfortable as a boundary corner. The Packers had to move on from Hobbs, although it left the cornerback group incredibly thin. Gutekunst will need to address the position in the draft.
Bottom line: This group has stayed the same, but it’s hard to envision it getting better - only worse.
Safety
The safety position will look very similar in 2026. Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, and Javon Bullard will be the core group who play a bulk of the snaps. Kitan Olapado will be the primary backup for all three. The major change is with the coaching staff. Bobby Babich will now coach the safeties. Babich has defensive coordinator experience and a track record of developing safeties. Jonathan Gannon has also shown the ability to use his safeties creatively.
The main losses are Zayne Anderson, Ryan Downard, and Derrick Ansley. Anderson proved to be a competent backup, but Oladapo should be able to fill that void. Downard and Ansley could be missed, but Babich is a really encouraging hire who could elevate the unit to an even higher level.
Bottom line: This group has stayed the same, but with a higher ceiling.
Special Teams
Green Bay’s special teams units are almost assuredly better than they were in 2025, although they will have a new coordinator. Achord is still a wild card, so it’s hard to say if he’ll be better or worse, but the units should be in decent shape. There won’t be any changes to the battery: Brandon McManus will return and should be better than he was last year, Daniel Whelan has continued to get better year after year, and Matt Orzech will be the long snapper. It’ll be the third year those three will work together.
The Packers signed Skyy Moore to a one-year, $2.5M contract. The deal included a $1 million signing bonus. Moore averaged 11.6 yards per punt return and 27.5 yards per kick return last season for the 49ers. Moore will immediately upgrade both return units. The Packers also retained Nick Niemann, Kristian Welch, Arron Mosby, and Bo Melton to help stabilize their coverage units. Newly signed Benjamin St-Juste is also an experienced special teams player. The Packers' main losses on special teams are Rich Bisaccia, Zayne Anderson, and Kingsley Enagbare, but all three should be able to be replaced.
Bottom line: This group is much improved, perhaps by a lot.
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Carter Semb is a lifelong Packer fan, shareholder, and season ticket holder. He is a contributor for Cheesehead TV and Packers Talk. For commentary surrounding Wisconsin sports, he can be found on X at @cmsemb.
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Comments (46)
Packerlifer
March 23, 2026 at 03:08 pm
Making a lot of judgments about a work still in progress.
ArlenWilliams
March 23, 2026 at 03:23 pm
...and draft and develop requires moving players from starting as Gutey has done ...personnel on the playing field doesn't seem to me to be the most pressing need.
Getting the fellow on the sidelines with the sharp haircut to be a bold, confident, rough and tough, manly leader seems the key.
Packerpasty
March 24, 2026 at 01:14 pm
now your talking...and how will that change? It won't...maybe a few more flecks of grey if not dyed..
Since'75
March 23, 2026 at 03:43 pm
Yea Packerlife, it's March....lol.
Nuff said.
heyjoe4
March 26, 2026 at 10:09 am
Agreed PL. I read the title of the article. actually started reading the article, and then realized it was a waste of time. C'mon, March Madness is still going on!
I will say that so far, Gluten's changes - specifically his decision to backfill at areas of need with veterans and save cap was probably a good one. My concern, and it was a concern all last season, is how will the CB group be improved?
Unless he makes any more FA moves, and that's unlikely, he'll rely on the draft to find a CB, probably two. I'm not exactly comforted with a CB group lead by K Nixon. But again, it's early. The draft and trades are still in play, so this article jumps the shark.
Good catch PL.
Oxymoron 3339
March 23, 2026 at 03:09 pm
QB = Worse (No Willis)
RB = Worse (No Wilson)
WR = Worse (No Doubs)
TE = Same
OL = Worse (Several Gone)
DL = Worse (No Wooden)
LB = Same (Cheaper but Better?)
DB = Better (I hope)
SP = Same (Moore is a ?)
Draft still to come. This was not a great Free Agent Year but we all knew that coming in.
Packerlifer
March 23, 2026 at 03:20 pm
It's only March! At least wait for OTAs to judge.
TarynsEyes
March 23, 2026 at 03:36 pm
Why? This is what the article is doing.
golfpacker61
March 23, 2026 at 07:32 pm
Quay Walker ➡️ Zaire Franklin-Quay never had close to 170 tackles in a year, Franklin 3 times
Colby Wooden ➡️ Javon Hargrave-Hargarve at 33 is better than Wooden, probably Wyatt too
Nate Hobbs ➡️ Benjamin St-Juste-At least St Juste is a Boundary CB, Hobbs was a huge mistake
Romeo Doubs ➡️ Matthew Golden-Golden will be better if we use him right, and has way better hands
Rasheed Walker ➡️ Jordan Morgan-Toss up for now
Skyy Moore, an actual return specialist-a great KR but a real wild card @ WR
As far as that list goes I would say we are easily as good or have upgraded.
Cheezehead72
March 24, 2026 at 06:26 am
First Franklin never had 170 solos tackles in a year. The most he had was 107. I look at solo tackles.
Franklin's first 4 years he had 53 solo tackles. Walker had 264.
Franklin is about 4 years older which means he has less career left. Oh and he has been playing 8 years to Walker's 4 years.
Both players are bad at coverage. The only benefits to Franklin over Walker is we save money and he might give a good veteran presence. We are worse.
dobber
March 24, 2026 at 07:48 am
"Franklin's first 4 years he had 53 solo tackles. "
He played almost exclusively STs early. Then he moved into the lineup and played really well. The wear and tear is mostly only the last four years. I agree, he's older, but I expect he's likely got better life in his legs than a 30 year old who's been playing a full slate of LB snaps every season. That said, everyone ages differently...so who can tell?
I'm going to trust Franklin to be in the right spot, make sure that others are lined up correctly, and fill the right hole in the run game a helluva lot more than Walker. The coverage part is a concern, but if he can get proper depth on his drops and be in the right place in coverage, he's got a leg up on Walker.
I come back to the fact that it seemed that Walker's contract expectations were a bridge too far for the Packers. NOT paying Walker pushes cap to other places on the team. Maybe it allowed them to bring in a guy like Hargrave or St. Juste. Maybe it allows the Packers to extend a key player on a rookie deal. Maybe it brings in two vets to solidify the roster that they couldn't have afforded otherwise. This is more than just "player for player".
golfpacker61
March 24, 2026 at 09:45 am
Well Cheeze, they wouldn't list them as tackles if they weren't tackles. So you are probably the only 1 doing that. Franklins leadership alone makes him the better LB, over Quay "the head case" Walker.
Cheezehead72
March 24, 2026 at 06:17 am
Overall I agree with you except I look at the WR being about the same because Doubs can be replaced with young guys but an injury will hurt.
LB is going to be worse but then we are saving money so that is expected.
DB are the same until prove me wrong.
So we are going to look to the draft to get better but we have no first round and only seven picks. Using the logic of many people here it wont work because they complain that Gute does not draft well.
bassrock
March 26, 2026 at 11:05 am
How is linebacker going to be worse. Walker was pathetic. Was never in on a play till it was downfield and never reacted to a play before it developed. Given a heck of an athlete, but stunk in coverage and football smarts.
Dragon5
March 23, 2026 at 03:28 pm
No mention of management changes or lack thereof...
Remember it starts at the top🤔
Guam
March 23, 2026 at 03:36 pm
Not sure I agree with all of the author's assessments of the position groups.
IDL: Rated the D-line as "same" when Hargrave is a significant improvement over Wooden. Yes, the Packers need an NT, but they needed (and didn't have) an NT last season. The IDL is improved, but still needs an NT.
OL: Rated the OL as "will be improved". I sure hope so but there is lots of room for doubt. We have yet to see how the Morgan for Walker swap will go and the depth took a serious hit losing veterans Jenkins and Walker. Hard to predict improvement when the lack of depth could quickly cause it go the other way too.
RB: This is my wishful thinking moment, but I believe this is the year M. Lloyd actually plays and makes the Packer fan forget about E. Wilson. (Yeah, I know....this is a real reach of a wish, but I can dream.)
dobber
March 24, 2026 at 07:58 am
IDL: better than at the end of the season. Better than at the start of last season. Would not be surprised early on, assuming they don't draft or sign an edge, to see Brooks flexing outside on run downs.
Wyatt
Hargrave
Brooks
Brinson
Stackhouse
Ford
If the Packers draft into the DL as expected (especially with Wyatt and Brooks on expiring contracts), someone (or two) who played in '25 isn't going to make the cutdown. Added talent and competition will make this group stronger than last year.
OL: depth is awful right now, but we should be able to forecast improvement over the end of the season at RG (Belton) and C (Rhyan) just from focused work at their positions. Getting Tom back will be huge. I don't put it past the braintrust to move players, yet, but it feels like--absent an injury--the OL they'll be drafting will be for the depth chart, and not to play right away.
Fundamentally, it's hard to see a lot of improvement since the season ended since we've only hit the one phase of player procurement, and the Packers were in a position where they could retain and sign a limited number of guys, but will be forced to lean into their roster depth.
GregC
March 23, 2026 at 04:08 pm
Worse in terms of talent, because they've let several players go and have not replaced them yet, but at least the roster makes more sense in a couple areas--especially O-line, where the roles appear to be more defined than they were last year. I'm hoping WR shakes out a little better too, with Christian Watson being able to start the season and Matthew Golden in line for more playing time.
Handsback
March 23, 2026 at 05:01 pm
If you had asked me last year at this time if Green Bay lost Jenkins and Rasheed would the offensive line be better or worst, I would have said much worst. A year later, I think it will be better. However with the condition that this year's reserve will be paper thin verses last year. Really need a starter quality player in the interior and tackle position sitting on the bench
Dline, better this year backups again are questionable.
Edge, much weaker, but younger players can change that.
LBs, same but pointing up.
RBs, weaker. Llyod could change that.
Receivers, better. Having a year to figure out how you use a receiver like Golden will make things better. Much like it took the coaches two years to figure out Kraft could be a mainstay for the offense. There's some serious weakness in Green Bay's WR/TE coaching staff.
Safeties, same. Strongest part of the defense.
CBs, better, but not by much Hobbs replacement is better.
QBs, much weaker.
With me thinking about the position strengths, it doesn't appear that GB will be able to address all the positions with the seven draft choices they have. Wouldn't be surprised if they do some serious horse trading during the draft.
JMHO
Coldworld
March 23, 2026 at 05:30 pm
I think we are about the same on paper. Walker replaced by Franklin. Gary and Jenkins gone, which is probably an improvement, at least on the form of the second half of last year. We lost Willis and Wilson, but they were both backups, albeit good ones. On the other hand Ridder is a step up on what we had pre Willis.
Wilson’s loss will have to see a replacement or Lloyd grab perhaps his last chance, but we need to hedge that bet. Now it’s time to see if Morgan is for real and if Rhyan and Belton prove good (and are allowed to settle) at their new positions.
Now it’s time for some returning players to step up. There’s no way to avoid that need in the NFL. However good or bad, coaches have to improve what we have. Not all, a minority, but there must be that minority. A GM can only get a roster so far, particularly before the draft.
golfpacker61
March 23, 2026 at 08:06 pm
Who is Meyers, Cold? If you mean Rhyan, I agree and I think he will surprise us. I would be thrilled if in this draft we could select offensive linemen Trey Zuhn-Texas A& M who was All-SEC while playing LT, OG, and Center. The other 2 OL I like are D J Campbell-OG-3 year starter @ Texas-All-SEC, and Diego Pounds-Ole Miss-LT who could play OG. All 3 would be available after the 4th round which is where we will likely spend picks on OL.
Coldworld
March 24, 2026 at 09:27 am
Rhyan not Myers. Mistake now corrected.
heyjoe4
March 29, 2026 at 08:16 am
Good summary Cold.
One thing is hard to understand - letting Wilson sign with another team (the hags).
He has been reliable as a #2 RB and shown himself able to carry the running game in Jacobs' absence. He was "only" going to cost $2-$3 mil/year. Why let him go with no backup options? I like Brooks but he's not a #2 RB. And Lloyd - is he ever gonna play? This was a strange move, as there are no apparently good options to replace him.
Since'61
March 23, 2026 at 05:37 pm
I'm going to give the roster the benefit of the doubt for now and say they are the same. We still have the draft and probably some more moves to make after other teams make their cuts prior to the season.
The reality is that much of the improvement that the Packers are currently depending on is based upon hope and hope is not a plan.
Hope that Morgan's better than Walker at LT, hope the Banks plays up to his contract, hope that Rhyan improves at Center with a full TC, hope that Benton makes a second year leap and hope that Tom returns to his pre-injury level of play. Next there is hope that the CBs Nixon and Valentine improve???!!! I do not have high expectations for that to happen, but maybe. ST. Juste may be an adequate stop gap. Hope that Wyatt returns 100% from his injury and that Hargave still has some gas in his tank.
Then there are the hopes that Parsons and Kraft return to their pre-injury levels of performance. If not Edge and TE are definitely worse off.
QB room is hoping that Ridder can play well enough to win 3-4 games if necessary.
Hope that the draft will provide at least depth for the OL, CB, RB and DL position groups along with some post-draft UDFAs.
The reality is that all of the above is an awful lot to hope for. Beyond the above there is the hope that the coaching staff will be able to make it all happen. Again that is a lot to expect from a coaching staff which more than half new hires with an OC and OL coach who have not been very effective over the last 3-4 seasons.
Hope is not and should never be the plan. Still a long time between now and the beginning of the season. Maybe the draft will provide some answers. Maybe post-draft signings will bring some much needed depth to the roster. But as of today it's mostly hope and wishful thinking. Thanks, Since '61
Gman1976
March 23, 2026 at 10:12 pm
Hope that MLF will improve in his play calling, in-game adjustments, replacing failing coaches (especially STs), leadership, calling timeouts, challenges, clock usage, use of players, coaching players up, playoff record, and ending the regular season with multiple losses (especially to the Bears!). I still can't believe he got an extension, but I'm hoping.
Packerpasty
March 24, 2026 at 01:17 pm
extension means little if he doesn't show some growth as a HC, and Packers and kings of seventh seed or miss the playoffs, he will be gone...
bassrock
March 26, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Look at the Packers record the last 4 years under him. A decline and didn't deserve a long extension.
dobber
March 24, 2026 at 08:04 am
"Hope is not and should never be the plan."
I'l shift from the word "hope" to "projection". At some point, you need to lean into your youth and "development". I'd argue that at the time, the Parsons move showed the front office believed--even in knowing that they were going to lose bodies to FA--that they could project a window with the guys in-house and that it would be all about adding the right parts around the edges.
"Still a long time between now and the beginning of the season. Maybe the draft will provide some answers."
Agreed, although my guess is that the draft will fill the depth chart and it's unlikely that many draft picks will walk in and start. The depth chart in particular is what has me concerned. The roster feels thin--or hard to project.
greengold
March 23, 2026 at 06:47 pm
It seems the addition by subtraction on D is significant, given none of Quay Walker, Rashan Gary, nor Colby Wooden were well rounded players with multidimensional strengths & production at their given positions.
Quay really struggled in both coverage and play recognition. Gary never was able to produce volume sacks in pass rush. Wooden offered next to zero in pass rush.
Hobbs? Who?
All replaced with players who offer more of the complete sets of proficiencies we fans have craved.
splitpea1
March 23, 2026 at 07:34 pm
This sums it up nicely. I doubt if we'll miss the players we parted with too much with the new additions. Gary was a decent run defender, though, so the new edge rotation will have to be competent here as well as hopefully being able to provide more pressure.
The article also speculated that we could be worse off at CB, though I don't see how--even before the draft and any choice cuts that may become available.
golfpacker61
March 23, 2026 at 08:17 pm
Great post Greengold, All of the players we added are small to significant upgrades over the players they replaced. And the fact that Franklin, Hargrave, and St Juste are seasoned veterans is also a big plus. For the most part we have had young players in every position group, what can they possibly learn from each other with virtually no experience? Especially Hargrave and Franklin will lead by example, they are both very successful players who will also be great leaders on the field and the locker room.
I seem to be in the minority Greengold, but I think Skyy Moore will make a solid contribution as a WR as well as being a great KR. The guy just has too much untapped potential and talent. I think he is a wild card for us.
greengold
March 24, 2026 at 09:42 am
golfpacker61, I LOVE all 4 of those signings. I don't think Gutekunst is done either.
The team does need more veteran players to show this massive yout movement we've witnessed for the last 5 years how to freaking play in the NFL.
It's been a team of something like 45-50 youts FFS! Veteran leadership is a thing on Super Bowl winning teams. SEA had 3 - STARTERS - on D aged 31, 33 and 33 when they won the SB this year. KC had similar balance in 2024, as did PHI in 2023.
TKWorldWide
March 23, 2026 at 07:47 pm
When (and if) GB picks a player at 52, will that guy be likely to start? Or at least contribute immediately and move into the lineup before the season is over? Looks like there are several openings right now.
golfpacker61
March 23, 2026 at 08:24 pm
If we choose from the right position group TK, which I think is CB, we can and should expect immediate contributions. Our CB group is the weakest position group on the team, maybe just ahead of TE.
The only other position that could see immediate playing time would be if we could select the right edge in the draft. Where we are picking, around #52, Dani Dennis-Sutton-Edge-Penn State is one of the few who will be left that could start next year in GB. He has the perfect size & speed for a pro Edge rusher. Plus he isn't a 1 year wonder, he has improved every year and routinely dominates in the Big 10 conference.
I would trade back 10-20 spots and take a starting caliber CB.
greengold
March 23, 2026 at 09:03 pm
Given the tight/limited resources for talent acquisition available after sending two R1s away and taking on Micah Parsons’ salary, it seems the Packers will need 2-3 starters from this draft. It cost GB a lotta jack, but the Packers stole Parsons from Dallas nonetheless. Yes, it all needs to play out. We’ll see.
Gutekunst has to bring his A-Game through what remains of FA, trade and/or April’s draft.
What positions? 4 on D and 3 - 4 on O could easily be rattled off.
The margins for error are minute, but I’m confident in Gutekunst bringing his best home to Green Bay to contend for the Lombardi Trophy. Gaping roster holes must be filled to have any chance at it.
TKWorldWide
March 24, 2026 at 06:34 am
Thanks, guys.
Crazy thing is, when looking at past drafts, it becomes very clear there are quality players available in every round. Just a matter of identifying them, which is obviously extremely difficult. That’s where the fun starts!😉🏈😊
greengold
March 24, 2026 at 09:14 am
Indeed. Gutekunst has found some gems throughout. Evan Williams is a bright star here, and Tucker Kraft more so... Zach Tom...
Supply & demand. Gutekunst has had needs, real needs that have largely gone unaddressed for years at key positions. He's got to strike quickly at some of those if he hopes to transform his team into a true Super Bowl contender, because the supply of difference makers can drop in the blink of an eye.
Now is not the time to gamble. You see your guy sitting there - a player who can start immediately! - you take him.
"IT IS TIME" Gutekunst steals the best available talents his team desperately needs away from other teams for a change. No more picks filled with hope and 3-4 year development plans.
We need F-ing 3 chords and the TRUTH!!!
Steal them off the board, Brian!!! The supply at some positions we need is tight. My mind goes directly to two different positions where we need to hit on 2 players each.
bassrock
March 26, 2026 at 11:41 am
Problem is when has Gute ever drafted someone that wasn't for potential for the most part? Always some flyer that never seems to pan out for the 1st couple of rounds when players are available that actually can play and step in right away. One of his weak spots in my opinion.
stockholder
March 23, 2026 at 08:13 pm
This team is crumbling.
And if MLF/you can't see the Top to Bottom overhaul coming.
Then You / MLF are shit of of Luck.
1.Crawling into the playoffs, showed the performance decline.
2. The high injury rate was just the beginning.
3. Age now is front and Center.
Give me Quay Walker.
Rashan Walker was relieved of responsibilities.
Gary wanted out.
Dobbs wanted it his way.
Faces changed..
(the memory of Clark, Alexander, etc. )
And if it wasn't for Willis.
Maybe Love isn't the true leader we thought.
Gute has run this team
like he's playing Madden Football.
golfpacker61
March 23, 2026 at 08:38 pm
QB-Ridder and McCord have as much ability as Willis
RB-We need a #2 RB-a cheap FA like Antonio Gibson or activate Pierre Strong
WR-We are strong but will draft 1 late-practice squad WR Shepard is better than Wicks
TE-2nd worst position group-draft 1 & 1 FA
Edge-Sign a FA like Jadaveon Clowney now
DT-Sign Calais Campbell now
OL-This is tough-draft 2-3
Safety-best in the NFL
CB- Its a mess-1 more cheap FA &2 in the draft
LB-I would sign FA Devin White and his 174 tackles last year for $2 million
I would try hard to sign bridge free agents Calais Campbell & Jadavion Clowney right now. Fill those holes and it frees up the draft to fill other needs. Also add 1 more cheap veteran CB and TE. With a solid draft that fills needs first, these moves give GB a very dangerous team in 2026. And we can reload in the much stronger 2027 draft with 11 picks as of now.
heyjoe4
March 28, 2026 at 07:48 am
Devin White is available? Hmm I remember him as being a very good Edge/LB with, I think, the Bucs. Have no idea what kind of shape he is in now to contribute. But he's proven himself in the past......
Lphill
March 24, 2026 at 06:54 am
I think the Packers improved their interior rush, improved at linebacker and got better at corner, subtle moves but much needed veteran experience, now add depth with the draft .
bjkdad44
March 24, 2026 at 09:09 am
“The starting offensive line is now expected to be Walker, Banks, Rhyan, Belton, and Tom.”… thought it was Morgan… not Walker?!?!
heyjoe4
March 29, 2026 at 08:18 am
You'e correct dad44. Both Walkers are gone and Morgan will be the starting LT, his best position.
The starting OL looks good. Depth is always an issue, and this offseason is no different. OL will be addressed in the draft, somewhere........
MarkRizzo
March 26, 2026 at 08:07 am
Not since Ron Wolf have the Packers had a great GM, Ted T and Gute are average GM's and their team reflects that. The Packer way (since Wolf) has not worked, they put average teams on the field, good regular seasons, playoff after playoff disappointments. The 2010 SB win was an average team where the QB and team got hot at the right time. I expect nothing else this year, 9, maybe 10 wins and an early playoff exit. I am already disappointed in Policy, he extends the contracts of two average guys (GM, HC).
calabasa
March 26, 2026 at 09:23 am
Wolf is doing pretty well in New England...