Packers Are in a Strong Position to Attack Free Agency
Among the 2024 playoff teams, the Packers are in an enviable position to be able to improve their roster ahead of the 2025 season.
By markoldacres
With the free agency negotiating window officially opening today, the NFL’s 32 teams will be looking to fill gaps ahead of the NFL Draft and otherwise improve their rosters before the 2025 season.
This year’s crop of free agents is not especially strong on paper, and was weakened further by Tee Higgins and Trey Smith being pulled from the market via the franchise tag, but still, there is more cap space league wide than ever, and teams looking to improve their standing have will have to make bets on which players can help them reach their goals.
Last year’s playoff teams will be hoping to find key pieces to push them over the top, and fortunately for the Green Bay Packers, they appear to be the team best positioned to push the ‘go’ button.
Of the 14 teams who made the playoffs last year, the Packers rank in the middle of the pack for available cap space at around $42.8m, with five teams listed as having more cap space.
They are the Chargers with $90.7m, Commanders with $79.7m, Steelers with $63.7m (after acquiring DK Metcalf and handing him a $30m per year deal, they probably now have less than the Packers), Vikings with $62.9m (less after they renewed Aaron Jones’ contract), and the Lions with $51.1m.
Green Bay has an advantage over all those clubs, though and that advantage is that there is very little they truly ‘need’.
Green Bay currently has 67 players slated to be on their opening roster entering next season, which is more than any other team in the league, and six more than any other 2024 playoff team.
The Chargers and Commanders may have a boatload of cap space, but they only have 46 and 47 players respectively on their roster as things stand.
Both teams are victims of their own success in a way. In their first year with new defensive play callers, they both patched their group together with veterans on one-year contracts to see what stuck.
They both overachieved, and now many of those players who were so important to their success a year ago are set to be free agents again, and they have to decide which players they now want to commit to.
Los Angeles is losing Khalil Mack, Asante Samuel Jr, J.K. Dobbins, Poona Ford, Elijah Molden, Teair Tart, Kristian Fulton, Josh Palmer and Gus Edwards to free agency, and they also just released Joey Bosa.
For Washington, Bobby Wagner, Dante Fowler, Jeremy Chinn and Zach Ertz are set to hit the market, and they added Jonathan Allen to that list by cutting him.
A lot of these players are older, and based on their play a year ago, will not come at the same discount price. It makes bringing any of them back a tougher call, and would eat up a fair amount of cap space just to return essentially the same team from 2024, before spending anything to make upgrades.
The Vikings and Steelers are in a similar boat, but they also have the burden of having questions at the quarterback position, an answer to which could also cut heavily into their cap space.
Pittsburgh are losing both their quarterbacks from 2024 in Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, although it seems Fields may return, at a price to be determined. They are also set to lose James Daniels, Daniel Moore, Najee Harris, Mike Williams and Elandon Roberts, as well as former Packer Preston Smith, who they just cut.
Minnesota is acting as if they do not have confidence in J.J. McCarthy returning in a timely fashion from his torn meniscus, which required a second surgery.
They entertained bringing Sam Darnold back, who now could be bound for Seattle, and have recently been linked to Aaron Rodgers (sigh).
Even if they do not pay out a substantial amount for a quarterback, they still have multiple free agents set to leave, including Camryn Bynum, Byron Murphy, Harrison Smith, Stephon Gilmore and Dalton Risner.
Things look better for the Lions, who are set to lose Carlton Davis, Kevin Zeitler and Levi Onwuzurike, all those players are key contributors though.
Meanwhile in Green Bay, the best free agent the Packers will see hit free agency is Josh Myers, who has been a below average starting center for them, and Eric Stokes, who was not a starter by season’s end.
The biggest hole the Packers will open up on their roster will be self-inflicted, when Jaire Alexander’s inevitable departure takes place.
Myers will likely be replaced internally via some shuffling around on the offensive line, and with the resources at their disposal, Green Bay could sign their top cornerback target to a lucrative deal and still have plenty left over to do essentially anything they ‘want’ to do, rather than ‘need’ to.
General manager Brian Gutekunst has done a great job of putting together a young, talented team with a lot of depth in just a couple of years, and now just needs to add more star power to the mix.
That may be easier said than done in this free agency class, which lacks players who already have a track record of excellence like Josh Jacobs or Xavier McKinney, but Gutekunst has shown he can identify ascending players via free agency in the past, such as Za’Darius Smith and Adrian Amos.
With very few glaring needs, and a healthy cap position, the Packers are arguably in the best position of any of last year’s playoff teams to take swings at finding players whose best football is ahead of them and can help push them towards a Super Bowl.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
__________________________
Comments (103)
TKWorldWide
March 10, 2025 at 07:14 am
Davante to Rams.
DK traded to Pitt for a 2nd, and gets a new 5 year, $150 million deal.
So, if GB is going to add a vet FA WR, who will it be and for how much?
Personally I’d rather see them add a corner.
harleycops
March 10, 2025 at 07:16 am
The article said: "Green Bay has an advantage over all those clubs, though and that advantage is that there is very little they truly ‘need’. Really? How 'bout WR? How 'bout end/middle rusher? How 'bout OL? How 'bout LB? How 'bout DB? Watch 'em all fly away this week and the Pack sit with the crumbs on Friday! Come on, Guter. Get some ballers in here, then we'll be in an "enviable position"!
GregC
March 10, 2025 at 07:27 am
It would've been interesting if the Packers got DK Metcalf or Davante Adams, but I was on the fence about both of them. Metcalf made more sense, as he's younger and is a deep threat, but he's had his share of drops, and he's got a bad temper. The Steelers will have their hands full with him and George Pickens, who is a malcontent. Maybe they will trade Pickens now.
Pickings are slim for free agent wide receivers, so I'm hoping they draft one in the first or second round. I expect the mock drafts to swing toward a first round WR now, not that it means anything.
Guam
March 10, 2025 at 08:11 am
The Metcalf deal would have drained most of the Packers available cap space on just one player - no thanks! Odd deal for Pittsburgh though since they now have good WRs and no quarterback (Wilson and Fields are both free agents) to throw them the ball.
I definitely see a WR somewhere in the first two days of the draft for the Packers and I believe Gute will be active in the free agent CB market.
GregC
March 10, 2025 at 08:24 am
Yeah, I also thought it was an odd move for the Steelers. Maybe they plan on getting rid of Pickett, and they needed another hot-tempered WR. Most people seem to think they are going to roll with Justin Fields at QB, but who knows, he is free to sign with anyone.
Guam
March 10, 2025 at 08:39 am
Tomlin is going to have his hands full if it is Fields (an inaccurate passer for most of his NFL career) throwing to two malcontents who want the ball. Doesn't sound like a good place to be next season.
Adams signed for $23MM AAV on a two year deal with LAR. A little pricey but not a bad deal.
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 09:40 am
I recall a certain former Packer QB once stated "Mike Tomlin would be a great coach to play for."
Thickening plots...
GregC
March 10, 2025 at 01:50 pm
Well, so much for all that. Justin Fields is signing with the Jets, and it looks like the Steelers are closing in on a deal with Aaron Rodgers.
This morning I read an article about how the Steelers were going to model themselves after the Eagles, with Justin Fields as their Jalen Hurts. It seemed a little premature, and it was!
T7Steve
March 10, 2025 at 07:44 am
Get ready. Get set. GO!
I'm confident Gute has a plan I haven't thought of or anyone here has mentioned. After last season I'm not putting anything past him. He knows the clock is ticking.
I think there's no urgency. I just expect this team to improve in the places they were lacking last season. They weren't far off, but it's time to take advantage of these youngsters before they're off their rookie contracts and the vets start wanting new money.
1-They were lacking in the division and against good teams.
2-They were lacking in depth and can improve the starting O-line which had allot to do with #1.
3-They were lacking in a consistent pass rush.
4-They were lacking in a healthy QB which had allot to do with #2.
Brewcity_BearsFan
March 10, 2025 at 07:47 am
Washington resigned both Ertz and Wagner last week
the_gavia_pass
March 10, 2025 at 07:53 am
they already signed a new contract with commanders
the_gavia_pass
March 10, 2025 at 07:54 am
"packers never made an offer for metcalf"
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 10:47 am
Because as Guam commented, the Packers found out his approximate price tag and acquiring him would have drained the cap. Too much coin.
And they never talked to Adams. Too much age.
Both are still productive, but Gutey rarely signs FA's with high price tags or too many trips around the sun.
His he likes his roster and most of the position rooms are well stocked.
the_gavia_pass
March 10, 2025 at 07:58 am
the big problem is...who is the real boss in GB now?
murphy who will be out in 4 months or policy?
this situation is terrible. gutey is not an elite GM and now he basically has 2 boss, so he is in the worst situation a manager can be.
that's because murphy did not resign in january 2025 letting policy build his first season.
murf7777
March 10, 2025 at 08:00 am
Let’s hope Gutey finds that ascending young player similar to last year! I doubt he will be in on anyone 30 or older.
JJB
March 10, 2025 at 08:01 am
Need to go hard after Dallman. The oline is set with quality backups. Then focus on CB and dline
Guam
March 10, 2025 at 08:17 am
I'd do CB first. At least they have five decent to very good starters on the OL and just need depth. At CB they have Nixon and Valentine and very little else (assuming Alexander is gone). They will need to use both free agency and the draft to rebuild the CB room.
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 11:09 am
Carlton Davis would be a CB bell ringer...but acquiring him would come with his primary motivation to play football by ringing the money bell...a big shiny golden bell. He has said he won't settle for a measly $15 M/year the lions paid him on a one year deal and the team reportedly won't pay that with two other good, younger CBs.
Davis: "This time, I ain't gonna settle for less".
Most believe money is a powerful motivator. I have learned it is a more powerful "demotivator"...as in believing you are not getting paid enough.
Maybe paying him what Alexander's K would have paid him in 2025 & 2026 will be enough? He's also fast and 6'1" and 205. Only 28 years old. A better bell ringer for the Pack than Reed/Jets.
Update: Davis "settled" for $20 mil/year from the Pats.
GilThorp
March 10, 2025 at 09:58 am
Bill Huber is reporting per source that Myers will not be resigned.
TruePackerBacker
March 10, 2025 at 08:06 am
"Green Bay has an advantage over all those clubs, though and that advantage is that there is very little they truly ‘need’."
I'm Sorry... WHAT??? Am I missing something or did we not go 1-5 in the division last season?
GregC
March 10, 2025 at 08:31 am
And 11-6 overall and made the playoffs. They need to get better if they want to be contenders, and we know which positions they should target, but there is no need as big as the need for safeties last year, when they were basically cleaned out at that position.
TruePackerBacker
March 10, 2025 at 08:38 am
Sigh....I truly hate arguing with packers fan who loves mediocrity!
CB is a huge need.
Pass Rush is still a need.
Some can argue WR1 is a need as we haven't have a 1k yard receiver since Adams I believe.
But sure. 11-6 with 5 losses coming in the division is fine with you because a rare case of 3 teams in a division made it to playoffs.
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 08:53 am
Actually 11-7. Even then, the Packers won as many playoff games as any team in the "Nort".
If you believe the talent on the field is the problem for that record, and no blame need be assigned to the teachers and play callers on the sideline, I guess one could sprint into Free Agency, briefcase open and papers & cash flying everywhere.
I read an article last week that analyzed Gutey's investments in FA and the ROI for his spending. Under his tenure, the Packers have near the lowest costs and the highest ROI's in the entire NFL.
He's been quite good bringing in proven veteran talent.
TruePackerBacker
March 10, 2025 at 09:04 am
I Love Gutey personally. More than Ted Thompson as a GM actually. He has done an excellent job so far in my opinion. We havent been NFC North Divison leader since 2021, & I dont think we have the better team in the divison right now.
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 09:28 am
I expect the Packers will, after free agency and the draft, have the best overall roster heading into the 2025 season.
I don't believe they will have the best coaching staff.
But maybe after June, they will have the best front office with Ed Policy channeling his inner Bob Harlan. And Gutey challenging his inner TT/Wolf.
TruePackerBacker
March 10, 2025 at 09:35 am
LP, where do you rank JLove from the Qb's in the division? I personally got him at 2nd behind Goff. Darnold to me was a one season wonder unless he can prove it again. But JLove still has an asterisk on his case also imo.
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 11:13 am
My prognostication is he will not only be the best QB in the division this season, but one of the top 10 in the NFL...assuming he stays healthy as he was in 2023.
Packerpasty
March 10, 2025 at 06:41 pm
as long as we dont have to listen to "he's only in his third year starting, give him time, " b.s. anymore...
Alberta_Packer
March 10, 2025 at 12:33 pm
I believe that Policy as COO - has essentially been running the Packers for the last several years - relegating Murphy as more of a figure head. Therefore I anticipate a seamless transition for Policy with Murphy's departure. However I will be curious to see if Policy returns to the more conventional GM chain-of -command - with MLF and Russ Ball under Gutekunst - rather than both being accountable to Murphy. This hierarchy made little sense to me as Murphy was hired to be President - not a GM. I will not miss Murphy.
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 12:52 pm
Alberta, I don't currently view Murphy as a figure head. He has been maintaining the role as Acting GM since 2018. I think he really enjoys making all the major calls for the Packers. Gutekunst has accepted a role neither TT or Wolf would have. And maybe he has already been told by Policy he's going to be an actual GM once Murphy gets the gold watch.
If he is just a place holder, I expect he would have stepped down prior to his mandatory retirement in July. He's hanging around until the last tick on the clock. I do expect he and Ed are talking about many things...hopefully with only Gutey at the table.
Alberta_Packer
March 10, 2025 at 02:46 pm
I enjoyed watching WKRP in Cincinnati. Murphy reminds me "The Big Guy" - Arthur Carlson.
GregC
March 10, 2025 at 03:08 pm
Why do you think Murphy is the acting GM who is making all of the decisions? I haven't heard anything like this. What are your sources?
Alberta_Packer
March 10, 2025 at 03:36 pm
Several independent sources reported that Gutekunst wanted to trade Rodgers a year earlier than they did - but Murphy nixed that plan . It was also reported that the Broncos really wanted Rodgers at that time. Instead they signed Wilson - giving the Seahawks three veteran players, plus two first-round draft choices, two second-round picks and a fifth-round selection. Imagine if Packers received that haul. Instead the Packers posted a losing record with Rodgers - while missing the playoffs.
GregC
March 10, 2025 at 05:52 pm
Who are these independent sources? Why can't I find anything about this on the Internet?
Alberta_Packer
March 10, 2025 at 06:22 pm
There was no front cover published article on this specific issue. Rather it was sub-text, inferences and innuendo from a number of insiders.
GregC
March 10, 2025 at 08:54 am
I don't love mediocrity, I was disappointed with last season, especially the way the offense fizzled at the end. But I still think they are close to being a contender. They had the #6 defense in the league last year, and the CBs played pretty well. I am hoping they add another good CB to the mix, but it is not a dire situation there by any means.
They need a good WR and O-line depth, but mostly they need Jordan Love to play better than he did last year. I think he probably will.
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 09:07 am
Correct, Greg!
"...the way the offense fizzled at the end." Was the fizzle due to the players, the coaches, game planning and calls... a little bit of both?
I think Team Gutey's answer is a "bit of both!"
GregC
March 10, 2025 at 09:29 am
Agreed that it was a combination of things. Jordan Love didn't seem to get completely comfortable physically or mentally. The receivers didn't build on their progress from the previous year. The Packers developed an identity as a power running team, but the run and the pass didn't really flow together the way they should have. There was not as much play action as you would expect, for one thing.
I'm not on the "fire LaFleur" train, but something wasn't quite clicking on offense, and part of it was probably his fault. He needs to make some tweaks.
Packerpasty
March 10, 2025 at 10:00 am
it was due to QB1 Love mostly...
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 12:05 pm
If you place all the blame on the QB for pressures and hurries and drops...the pass completion wreckers. I don't.
And blame the QB for the game planning and play calls. I don't.
And blame the QB for getting injured. I don't.
Love did not play as well as 2023 when the above extenuating circumstances were less costly.
Packerpasty
March 10, 2025 at 06:43 pm
and another huge need...Love to show more growth and not revert to his college days style of QB play..
Coldworld
March 10, 2025 at 08:43 am
We have needs on both lines, WR now Watson is hurt and at CB over and above replenishing depth and potential. The DL may well need help at both DT and DE. That’s not a position where one blockbuster trade ever seemed likely, at least for any player who has remained on the market. It’s also not one likely solved by the draft alone, at least in rookie seasons. I continue to suspect that we are more likely to be active after the initial frenzy and for players with upside not ones paid as already being there.
TruePackerBacker
March 10, 2025 at 08:48 am
Thank you CW. At least you arent blind to see that. Some in here would accept having Nixon or Valentine as CB1.... In a division of Justin Jefferson, ASB, Jamieson Williams, and some of the better Tight Ends in the game... I just dont understand it.
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 08:39 am
I like MVP Josh Allen...but at $330 M for six years? Most Venturous Payday!
"Allen will now make $55 million per year after winning his first career MVP this past season, which is second behind only the Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott ($60 million) for average annual value."
If another season or two, Packers will love Love's bargain basement deal.
TKWorldWide
March 10, 2025 at 08:45 am
Ace.
the_gavia_pass
March 10, 2025 at 09:48 am
allen MVP 55 million per year
jordan "pick6" love 55 million per year.
and you love that.
please, curling is not too bad, consider it
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 09:01 am
"I've got a feeling, a feeling deep inside, oh yeah"!
The largest "deal" Gutey makes this offseason may be an extension for Tom with understanding he may move to C with T pay, and maybe 5th year rookie deals for Walker and/or Wyatt.
Leatherhead
March 10, 2025 at 09:09 am
This doesn't have to be complicated.
Resign Slaton and Wilson and our entire defense....the one that was #6 in the league....is back, with the exception of Stokes. That's where you spend some FAmoney.....getting a reliable, capable CB who can stay on the field. That, alone, improves this defense.
On offense, use #23 to replace Watson. We should also either resign Myers or another veteran Olineman. Use one of the Day 2 picks to get another Olineman.
Trade or release Alexander.
That's the team. Those are the guys who will dress for games.
T7Steve
March 10, 2025 at 09:18 am
What do you think is going on with Alexander? All the other teams have cut, traded or made available the players they don't want or can't afford to have back. We've heard rumors that Gute was looking to trade, but that was all. Do you think they might end up keeping him or a post June 1st type deal (which they could have done already)?
Spock
March 10, 2025 at 11:18 am
All the cards are with the Packers regarding Alexander. They don't HAVE to do anything, can even keep him on the team until an offer comes along.
Leatherhead
March 10, 2025 at 02:27 pm
I think Alexander is done in Green Bay, and we'll try to arrange a trade,but if we have to just cut him post June1 we'll still save $7M....which might get us a decent veteran offensive lineman.
Valentine and Nixon are our starters. I firmly believe we'll get a starter in FA, and we'll draft.
PhantomII
March 10, 2025 at 10:49 am
That's not very Sexy LH....I would do exactly that if Gute would Use the #1 pick AND move up AND use 2026 picks to get the best 2 WR's in the draft with Speed /Hands and route running ability...This last season showed everyone the can't beat man coverage. I would also replace Myers on the OL in the draft though.No WR has shown enough consistency to be retained thus far.
Leatherhead
March 10, 2025 at 02:29 pm
I know that one stud receiver isn't going to fix all the problems, but it would fix some. We are going to need another.
Doubs has been a reliable #2, but he's in his contract year and he's got injury concerns.
Wicks has flashed, but he drops a lot and doesn't look like a reliable #2 at the point.
Reed has all the tools to be a legit #2, but he had a weak year last year and dropped too many.
So even if we got a guy like Golden, we could still use another guy.
Packerpasty
March 10, 2025 at 06:44 pm
Slaton is gone....fairly big loss..
stockholder
March 10, 2025 at 07:06 pm
He's back with his coach.
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 09:12 am
The tampering begins at noon today. How is it deals are being announced now before noon? Is this the tampering before the tampering before official the start of free agency?
Typing for a friend....
T7Steve
March 10, 2025 at 09:21 am
I think the deals done are trades or players cut. Not free agents because their contracts have run out. The ones who still have money counting on someone's cap, I think.
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 09:36 am
Thanks, Steve. So noon today is when expiring player K's can be "tampered" but Wednesday is when FA's officially sign the deals, it seems.
D_Dave_Wittmann
March 10, 2025 at 09:36 am
"Green Bay currently has 67 players ... more than any other team."
Last year, Gute said:
"I feel really good about our roster right now, our numbers are higher than they’ve been usually going into this time."
How does this compare to past years? To the other teams? On average, what numbers are typical for the league?
Any trends over the years?
This increase in numbers deserves a story!
Last year was the 1st time I've ever seen undrafted free agents in single digits.
It's always double digits, often 15, sometimes even 20.
Is this important in judging whether a team does a good or poor job filling its roster?
There's a story here.
Maybe Gute is better than we realize.
Does this correlate with wins and losses?
It would be interesting if someone tracked this!
T7Steve
March 10, 2025 at 10:59 am
"Does this correlate with wins and losses?" And/or health? Did we have good depth before a health problem arose?
TheBigCat
March 10, 2025 at 09:47 am
"Rodgers to the Vikings...." If it happens, I wish him well (except for to two games). He's a heck of a quarterback, and would add even more juice to the Packers-Vikings rivalry games.
Coldworld
March 10, 2025 at 12:48 pm
Is he or was he? That is the question.
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 12:56 pm
I see him landing with the Steelers to play for, as he stated a few years ago, one of the top NFL HC's he'd "like to play for."
Alberta_Packer
March 10, 2025 at 02:26 pm
If Rodgers to the Vikings - any receiver not named Jefferson will be able to file for negligence.
the_gavia_pass
March 10, 2025 at 09:53 am
we've seen Rams make trades with 1st round picks travelling, seen them sign free agent veterans (obj...), seen them make moves all year long...and they got SB
same for patriots, belichick was a master in doing in season moves, any moves, chiefs and ealges. roseman does everything he does not care about trading high picks or signing +30 veterans...he just looks t fit and talent and production.
these teams all won SB.
may be it's time to change something in GB, our low risk strategy wasted #12 talent for many years.
justjan
March 10, 2025 at 10:32 am
Maybe they should do something like the 49ers did. 3 firsts for Trey Lance.
the_gavia_pass
March 10, 2025 at 11:55 am
they went to SB. GB?
90% of packers fans, especially the ones living in green bay do not look at the reality.
you dream.
that is why a mediocre like mark murphy has survived for years
LeotisHarris
March 10, 2025 at 08:37 pm
You hear "passando alla tua sinistra" a lot when you're riding, don't you?
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 01:06 pm
The greatest waste of 12's years was having HC's who were incredibly passive about defense...until everyone in the football universe agreed a change at DC was frantically needed.
How have the Eagles, Chiefs and Rams defenses fared over the Rodgers' years?
Packerpasty
March 10, 2025 at 09:56 am
True that there's very little they need...if they want to remain mediocre in the division...
PhantomII
March 10, 2025 at 10:41 am
Best we can hope for Boys....Is a stud DL in FA and a pretty good CB.....Looks like the draft for WR1 target, #2 WR and OC / DL / OL / CB
GregC
March 10, 2025 at 11:48 am
Bears are signing Falcons center Drew Dalman. And there are reports that Josh Myers will not return to the Packers. The Bears got two new guards last week, so they have completely revamped their interior O-line.
the_gavia_pass
March 10, 2025 at 11:56 am
ben johnson moves...
dobber
March 10, 2025 at 12:07 pm
They've addressed their biggest problem, yes, and before the draft.
Brewcity_BearsFan
March 10, 2025 at 12:35 pm
I still think the Bears will go o line with their first pick. However, now that they have acquired 3 IOL, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if they went RB. Specifically Ashton Jeanty.
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 01:01 pm
10th picking the 1st and 2 more in the 2nd. 8 total. Is it possible the bares finally turn it around as has been forecasted for the last several decades?
Yeah, me neither.
Leatherhead
March 10, 2025 at 03:39 pm
The Bears are setting the table for a RB in round one. It's their heritage. Chicago is going to grind sausage on offense. And if you do manage to slow down their run, then you still have to stop Williams. The Bears are going to be a real problem on offense unless they get some bad luck.
There never were many good alternatives to Myers in FA, and Dalman was one of the better ones. I predict the Packers will move some guys around, and the simplest shuffle would be for Jenkins to go to Center and play Morgan at LG. That puts a pretty good 5 man group up, but I don't see much depth.
Look....maybe the smart move here is to sit back and let other people burn money. Save your ammo. That's how we got Woodson. If the Bears are throwing around money , then that almost guarantees that the smart move is the opposite of that.
Let's say the Packers don't get anybody, and had to fill every hole on their roster with draft picks.
Two legit Olinemen (to replace Myers and Telford)
A legit #1 WR to replace/upgrade Watson
A CB to replace Stokes.
SSSSSSS
I see we just got Aaron Banks. Four years $77Million, that's almost $20M/year. He's a guard. If you were going to move Jenkins to Center and put Banks at LG that gives us another real solid player.
Nothing good happens on offense unless people get blocked. Our offense has faltered 4 years in a row. And we made an offensive lineman our big FA acquisition. Not a CB, not a Edge Rusher, not a WR.
Yay. Fix The Offense. Better blocking, better weapons.
dobber
March 10, 2025 at 12:09 pm
Paulson Adebo to the Giants.
GregC
March 10, 2025 at 12:37 pm
He may have been the best free agent option at CB. I think DJ Reed is still out there, but do the Packers want a 5'9" CB?
Brewcity_BearsFan
March 10, 2025 at 12:53 pm
Reed is a Lion
LambeauPlain
March 10, 2025 at 01:10 pm
He would have been a nice little pickup at 5'10". He's a downgrade from Davis but even then fortifies a solid CB room for them.
Alberta_Packer
March 10, 2025 at 12:42 pm
I projected Adebo and Odeyingbo to the Packers. So Plan B - Byron Murphy? Or Plan C - Jaire back with the Packers?
GregC
March 10, 2025 at 12:38 pm
Milton Williams to the Patriots. The Panthers were supposedly finalizing a deal, but somehow the Patriots got him.
harleycops
March 10, 2025 at 01:51 pm
What an absolute joke! I predicted all the ballers will be swooped up and GB Guter no-buy GM sits by waiting for the tier 3-4 players. It's happening again. Nearly all the candidates that Packer sites mentioned as good in GB are no longer FAs. So what in the "yell" is Guter doing? We were terrible in our division and now we sit and wait for leftovers. I hate this time of year cuz it's the most disappointing time of the year. Tell me we're going to jump into the FA pool and get wet. With Guter tho, it'll be the kiddie pool unfortunately!
Brewcity_BearsFan
March 10, 2025 at 02:01 pm
Darnold to Seattle, and Fields to the J E T S
Wonder if MN will try and snag Rodgers out from under the Steelers.
Brewcity_BearsFan
March 10, 2025 at 02:02 pm
Dayo Odeyingbo to the Bears
the_gavia_pass
March 10, 2025 at 02:21 pm
STRONG POSITION: ZERO.
imagine if we were weak
harleycops
March 10, 2025 at 02:27 pm
If Guter doesn't get his @$$ in gear, we will be weak.....AGAIN!
Brewcity_BearsFan
March 10, 2025 at 02:37 pm
Grady Jarret to the Bears
Alberta_Packer
March 10, 2025 at 02:56 pm
Aaron Banks - G to the Packers. Fits Gutekunst FA profile - 27 and under + 4 yr. contract.
GregC
March 10, 2025 at 02:59 pm
Started at left guard the past three seasons. So maybe they will move Elgton Jekins to center and let Sean Rhyan and Jordan Morgan compete at RG again--unless they let Morgan compete at tackle.
Alberta_Packer
March 10, 2025 at 03:08 pm
That would make sense. Ultimately Morgan may end up at LT - after this year.
TKWorldWide
March 10, 2025 at 03:56 pm
Will be interesting to see the shuffle.
dobber
March 10, 2025 at 03:02 pm
An interesting move. Banks is more mauler than we usually see in GB.
Alberta_Packer
March 10, 2025 at 03:10 pm
Also it looks like he has a pretty good pass protection grade. So seems to be a solid player.
GregC
March 10, 2025 at 05:56 pm
Yeah, he seems like a really good player who the 49ers just couldn't afford to keep. At 325 pounds, a little bigger than most Packer interior O-linemen. The CB from the Raiders, on the other hand, does not seem particularly good.
Alberta_Packer
March 10, 2025 at 03:47 pm
So another Packers FA signing - Nate Hobbs CB. Also fits profile - 25 yrs. old with 4 yr. contract - 12M AAV. This may be a pre-cursor to a Jaire re-structre.
greengold
March 10, 2025 at 04:08 pm
Hobbs seems to be a good signing. Ascending, for sure each year in the league.
5-11 198 with a 4.38, 40 time, >11 ft. broad and a 40.5 vertical. Burst score in 95th %. Catch radius in 85th %.
Alberta_Packer
March 10, 2025 at 04:21 pm
It seems that he's coming into his prime - with Gutekunst paying more for what he will do - rather than what he has done. Plus there is a relatively low guarantee of monies in the contract. If Jaire comes back (which I still think is possible) - then a CB corps of Alexander, Hobbs, Nixon and Valentine could be solid.
jannesbjornson
March 10, 2025 at 04:37 pm
3 INTs in four years. He takes Stokes role to stand around a watch paint dry??
Alberta_Packer
March 10, 2025 at 04:59 pm
Hobbs is much more versatile - being able to play slot, perimeter and box. Plus he's coming to a team that will have better players - which should make him better by association. Also, Stokes has peaked. Hobbs may have not (peaked) - which Gutekunst seems to be banking on.
Packerpasty
March 10, 2025 at 06:39 pm
The story on Hobbs is that he has a few really good games then disappears for games...too many games...maybe the Packers will get more out of him but it certainly is not a huge acquisition...probably about as good as it will get with Gutes this year, maybe he'll prove me wrong but I doubt it...
Alberta_Packer
March 10, 2025 at 07:18 pm
Thinking his inconsistemcy was largely due to the Raiders not being a good team for 4 years.