Cory's Corner: Rebuild Through Free Agency
The Packers were the youngest team in the NFL the last two years. It's time for some seasoned veterans.
Now that we have finally moved into March, it’s time to talk about free agents.
If I had to choose, I would rather see the Packers trade away many of their picks for proven veterans. This team has been the youngest in the NFL for two years in a row and adding more rookies to a young roster doesn’t. exactly scream win now.
With the eventual departure of Jaire Alexander, the Packers will need help on the back end of their defense. Someone like Charvaris Ward, who has played 46 of 51 games in the last three seasons. Or 27-year-old Byron Murphy who is blossoming into a tremendous talent after picking off a career high six passes last year.
And let’s face reality. The Browns aren’t trading Myles Garrett. They would rather have him sit out a year than see him flourish for another team while Cleveland gets stuck with the majority of the bill. And since the Packers showed plenty of problems getting to the passer, a good option at a bargain price would be Chase Young.
Washington didn’t give Young a fifth-year option because the Commanders were scared off by his injury history — namely his season-ending ACL tear in 2021. But he bounced back in 2023 to tally 7.5 sacks for Washington and San Francisco before getting 5.5 sacks last year with New Orleans. Yet, before Young was able to play with the Saints, he had neck surgery to repair a stinger he suffered in 2023.
He's been living on “prove it” contracts for awhile and he remains hungry to showcase what he can do. “Really not excited to prove anything to anybody,” said Young last spring before neck surgery. “I’m just going to go out there and be the best Chase Young I can be.”
The Packers should be in win now mode. Despite what many people think, I still think they are fine at wideout, they are fine at tight end and I am looking forward to see what MarShawn Lloyd can bring to this offense when paired with the battering ram Josh Jacobs.
Remember when people claimed that Green Bay was Siberia for free agents? It’s a small town that has too much cold weather. But since Jacobs put the Packers jersey on, he has been singing the praises of how strong the culture is in Green Bay and how dedicated this organization is to winning.
Those are things that free agents want to hear. The Packers need two or three pieces to be able to compete with Philadelphia and Detroit in the NFC. If the Packers want to have a quick turnaround, those pieces should come via free agency.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
__________________________
Comments (25)
murf7777
March 01, 2025 at 08:01 am
Some vet’s to go along with a young team and fill out our needs sound like a good recipe for winning. The only reason I feel we need a WR is because of Watson’s injury. I’d like to see a field stretcher in our arsenal. I don’t want it (DK Metcalf) if it’s going to break the bank and/or cost high draft capital. MVS coming back could help and not cost much. I’d prefer to see the Packers put the SC $’s into the trenches and a CB.
SicSemperTyrannis
March 03, 2025 at 04:24 am
Bo Melton in as substitute for #9 every time he's out should be what GB does, if only to keep JL10 in tune with the speed. Even though #80 doesn't draw double teams and has a smaller catch radius, opposing defenses still have to send their fastest guy out to try to keep up with him. Even if he's only targeted in event of completely blown coverage, that fills "the MVS role." And MVS' career catch rate is 50%
Prioritize O line; C isn't even top dollar.
murf7777
March 03, 2025 at 06:28 am
And Bo’s catch percentage last year was 47%….small sample size though. MVS is taller and experienced in the system and had a great 23 ypc, last 8 games with New Orleans last year.
Guam
March 01, 2025 at 08:07 am
"If I had to choose, I would rather see the Packers trade away many of their picks for proven veterans." I am so glad Cory is not the Packer's GM. However he did correctly identify that the Packers need some veteran free agent help, particularly at CB.
I would love to see the Packers acquire Paulson Adebo or Byron Murphy at CB. Both are younger players that would give the Packers a significant boost at CB. I am a lot less certain about Chase Young. His sack production has never been prolific and he has a history of injury. I doubt that will be a good investment unless he comes much more cheaply than I think he will.
i actually think the Packers may have their pass rusher already on the roster - Brenton Cox. Cox came on really strongly after Preston Smith was traded to Pittsburgh. Cox was a healthy scratch for the first half of the season, but capitalized on the extra snaps from Smith's departure and had four sacks and seven QB hits in just 160 defensive snaps. That is a lot of production in limited snaps. He is young, cheap and hungry - and just maybe the pass rusher the Packers need.
NickPerry
March 01, 2025 at 09:41 am
"Cox was a healthy scratch for the first half of the season, but capitalized on the extra snaps from Smith's departure and had four sacks and seven QB hits in just 160 defensive snaps. That is a lot of production in limited snaps"
Doesn't that really make you pause and wonder WTF?
Guam
March 01, 2025 at 10:54 am
I think it has more to do with Hafley and the defensive staff being in their first year with the Packers than WTF. I read an article somewhere that quoted Hafley as saying he spent the first few weeks of the season watching Cox grow exponentially in practice and realized they needed to find snaps for him. Smith's request for a trade opened that door and Cox leaped through it. Just a new DC learning his players. Credit Hafley for recognizing talent when he saw it (wonder if Barry saw it?).
SicSemperTyrannis
March 03, 2025 at 04:26 am
Also, LVN has never even been tried on the inside.
dobber
March 01, 2025 at 10:09 am
""If I had to choose, I would rather see the Packers trade away many of their picks for proven veterans." I am so glad Cory is not the Packer's GM. "
Agreed.
Right now the Packers have a very flexible path forward: they can buy players on the open market to address needs AND they can exercise picks for young, cheap talent.
Picks for players are finishing moves. My perspective--especially at the trade deadline when teams are motivated to sell players that either no longer fit into their long-term plans or have contracts that are becoming untenable--is players over picks. Those are mostly the guys who are available in FA now. Right now, it's not either/or. Moving picks for players is going to chew up both paths and limit opportunities. If you're going to move high-end draft capital for players, you'd better be right.
" I am a lot less certain about Chase Young. His sack production has never been prolific and he has a history of injury."
Yeah, I just don't see Chase Young as being a piece that elevates the defense. I think the optimism on him is that he's played a full season and he's got that draft status that seems to carry him onward. MAYBE he's reaching that stage where he's ready to "turn it on," but there's something not quite right on him.
Guam
March 01, 2025 at 11:04 am
It is funny how draft status lingers even though most folks realize the draft is a crap shoot. Young is getting paid for "potential" related to his #2 player in the draft status even after several years in the league. I remember Jason Peter who was always referenced as "the undrafted free agent" who became a perennial pro bowler. Rasheed Walker is dealing with some of the same crap as a 7th round draft choice who has become a good LT for the Packers. Draft status matters even after years in the league. Amazing.
KenEllis
March 01, 2025 at 08:16 am
From the article: "If I had to choose, I would rather see the Packers trade away many of their picks for proven veterans."
If serious, I suggest you might consider following another team Cory, because the Green Bay Packers under GM Brian Gutekunst and his mentor Ted Thompson DO NOT TRADE round 1-5 picks FOR PLAYERS. They just don't. Conversely, the Pack is more than willing to trade AWAY PLAYERS for future picks (HaHa Clinton-Dix, Davante Adams, Rodgers, Rasul Douglas).
Moreover, Gute recently announced he is looking to add picks and everyone knows that Jaire is going to be cut if he is not traded, so the most likely trade this offseason will result in yet another subtraction of a Packer veteran in return for yet another draft pick.
Teams like the Rams, Chiefs, and Eagles (winners of the last 4 Super Bowls) may have all traded 1st round and other premium picks for players in building their rosters but that is just not the Green & Gold way.
Maybe start looking at the bright side of things and consider that in 2025 the Pack should be strong contenders for a third straight and highly coveted youngest team in the NFL title.
PhantomII
March 02, 2025 at 04:48 pm
LOL, Thanks Ken, for reminding everyone GB only gets to the Super Bowl once per QB generation....and it's not time for JL. I don't know if Gute is a good enough GM to get us a legit #1 and #2 WR we need , a better pass rush from DE or DL, better blocking on the OL without an extra TE and RB to pass the ball over 10 yds. I don't know if ML is a good enough Coach to design a pass game AND run game at the same time.....But I do know we need all those players mentioned to win a Championship as well as QB1 playing better than he has thus far. If Gute doesn't touch FA for a WR-1 AND DE or DL....We will be in the cellar of our North Division.
Coldworld
March 01, 2025 at 08:35 am
Free agency is the final gloss on an already strong roster, not a strategy for team building in the cap era NFL.
That’s not to say we should not be active, but if Love is good enough then we need to not mortgage the future. This is not a roster without holes and the draft is the way most of them will inevitably have to be filled. Free agency needs to be very adroitly used if it’s to help us meaningfully next season and not hinder us beyond that.
murf7777
March 01, 2025 at 08:46 am
“Adroitly”…..nice I learned a new word today!
SicSemperTyrannis
March 03, 2025 at 04:42 am
I'm on an Adroitly phone
Spock
March 01, 2025 at 09:07 am
Off topic, but the NFL is FINALLY saying they will implement the eye-in-the sky technology -at least for first downs.
msn.com/en-us/sports/other/nfl-confirms-huge-change-in-football-after-josh-allen-and-bills-complained-that-referees-favored-chiefs-in-playoffs/ar-AA1A0UB7?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=21fc88f716714c5da812d0a4274d3c76&ei=20
NickPerry
March 01, 2025 at 09:35 am
"The Packers should be in win now mode. Despite what many people think, I still think they are fine at wideout"
While I agree with you about adding some veterans through Free Agency, I couldn't DISAGREE with you more about the WR position. The Packers are FAR from "Fine" at the WR position. Besides, doesn't "Fine" stands for Fucked up, Insecure, Neurotic, & Emotional...
Last year I saw a bunch of WRs who had a hard time beating man coverage. A hard time with drops and catching the ball, and just a lot of nothing special play. Matter of fact, with each one of the three losses i n a row to end the Packers season, I became more and more concerned with the WR's on this team.
I think both Reed and Wicks will be better this year but neither are a number 1 IMO. Whether it's trough the draft, FA, or both, Gutey needs to add to the position. Even if Watson wasn't injured people are acting like he caught 80 passes and the Packers are absolutely screwed now that he's hurt. Umm...BS! Love to get him back, but he's not the missing link either.
Get us a WR Gutey. Just for fun think of this offense with Davante Adams (FA), Reed, an improving Wicks, Kraft, and Jacobs. Throw in a rookie WR, and start using MORE of Musgrave with Kraft on the field too, and I think that's a group that could move the ball on ANYONE.
But you have to have a #1 WR to make it work.
dobber
March 01, 2025 at 10:30 am
I'd argue the players who are most likely to be difference makers in GB in 2025 are either already the locker room or are FAs about to sign contracts. Of the 13 players drafted in 2023, 8 are still with the team and all are regular contributors...8 of the 11 drafted in 2022 are still with the team and are all regulars. The team is young and youth has led them from no playoffs in 2022 to 9 wins and a playoff spot in 2023, then 11 and the playoffs in 2024. In those two drafts, the highest pick no longer with the team is Sean Clifford (5th, 2023).
These are the guys--young contributors on teams that win--that need to elevate their play and as young players still learning the pro game have the best opportunity to do so. Any FAs the Packers buy are likely known commodities that need to fill obvious gaps. If we're counting on draft picks to be the difference makers in 2025 that make the Packers contenders, they're not as close to contending as we think.
"Last year I saw a bunch of WRs who had a hard time beating man coverage...Get us a WR Gutey"
I think we're all hoping to see growth in the WR room that goes with more time and dedication to the craft. We're hoping that someone in that room overcomes the drops and makes a leap...but none of those guys has the look of the downfield threat that this offense thrives on.
I'm not a fan of MVS: he's played most of his career with elite QBs (ARod, Mahomes, Allen) and hasn't been a difference maker. He comes cheap, but whomever is the field stretcher in the Packers' offense needs to play enough snaps to help open the underneath stuff and the run game...which means an MVS--as a sub-par player--will be robbing snaps from better players. Same is true for Bo Melton--there are plenty of Bo Meltons hoping to make rosters in 2025. Featuring Kraft and RBs is all well and good, but if defenses are sitting on the short and intermediate zones because you can't beat them deep, they're not going to have space to operate.
Darius Slayton was the guy I was watching--he's a speed player who suffered with awful QB play for the majority of his career, and has flashed big games when given the chance to be the guy. Unfortunately, his market seems to be blowing up and he may not come cheaply enough. Don't be fooled by Nick Westbrook-Ikhine's unsustainable TD production. He's a big-bodied possession guy who isn't fast. Hollywood Brown is a Smurf-type slot receiver who has performed, but has an injury history. If he can still run, he might be a possibility (if KC lets him go).
TarynsEyes
March 01, 2025 at 09:40 am
The Packers have been the youngest team for a few seasons. Now it's proposed to sign seasoned veterans. Wasn't it being bravado'ed here during those seasons that the kids would grow together and become the 'seasoned veteran' group?
The issue I have with FA is this team doesn't get the actual game changer it needs, it usually over pays for an overrated player. I know some will protest, but tell me the FA who got them over the hump and knocking on the SB door, and not just getting applauded by fans for merely becoming a Packer. As close as some or many feel this team has been, they're really further away as other teams are leap frogging them in the competitive levels, and the Packers maintaining a status quo at best.
The ideology of GB works for what is easily accepted as success, Division and playoff spot, but which is an easily seen failure for reaching the ultimate goal. Though the mentioned seems to be fading also.
Get a FA that changes the outcome, not just a jersey seller.
GregC
March 01, 2025 at 12:18 pm
Zadarius Smith, along with Preston Smith, got them over the hump and knocking on the Super Bowl door. Not sure if there is a player out there right now who can have that kind of impact. I think Gutey will bring at least one or two high to mid-profile free agents in, though.
TarynsEyes
March 01, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Yes, they helped in the regular season, but in the three NFCCG's of 16, 19, 20, we weren't knocking on the SB door, as we got put in our place against ATL, SF and TB, and I don't believe those you mentioned did anything to be a changer if any. Remember, the season is made of two seasons, and the regular season heros of your note, only seemed to play in one.
They were good players, just not good enough to carry the load against better Offenses, an issue that still lingers today.
GregC
March 01, 2025 at 04:53 pm
Weren't knocking on the door? They barely lost to Tampa Bay in the NFC championship game. They lost another close one to San Francisco in the playoffs the next year. The Smiths weren't on the team when the Falcons blew them out at the end of the 2016 season.
EnemyTerritory
March 02, 2025 at 12:53 pm
If I recall against TB the Offense and future first ballot HOF QB had multiple opportunities to score courtesy of the Defense and future HOF network broadcaster. Of course we had also lost our starting LT forever just a week or three before.
That being said I would like to see a splash FA signing. I’m just not wanting to vastly overspend or to blow up the cap budget because all of the cheap rookies will want to get paid and not all can (or should). While we are sitting much better in cap space than recent history, we are paupers compared to some teams like the Patriots and I believe Commanders. We are last in cap space in our division so expectations must be muted.
I’m also the belief that we can compete and make a run but that it is the depth of the lineup that needs upgrading and that multiple not pricey rotational or depth pieces can do the trick. We hung with the Eagles until we ran out of WR and we had to rejigger the O Line. The backups just weren’t up to snuff. AND fwiw, JA was essentially a non factor all season.
SicSemperTyrannis
March 03, 2025 at 07:25 am
Gutey signing a FA WR this season would indeed be to admit it was a mistake to go with all rookies and no "secession plan." That much does seem to be the case anyway, so admitting the mistake and correcting it would be a step in the right direction.
Leatherhead
March 01, 2025 at 10:14 am
We should sign some of our own FAs: McManus, Whelan, Mcduffie, Slaton, Wilson, Wilson.
dobber
March 01, 2025 at 10:56 am
I think we hear McManus, Whelan, and Wilson agree to sign deals soon.