Exactly my thoughts on everything you said, Al.

I hoped they’d take a big swing at a pass rusher or DK. I still think they should have with DK. He is big enough that his game will still hold value deep into his deal as his speed leaves him. But what’s done is done.

Hendrickson is an interesting case. He is old. Perhaps only a year or two of elite play left. And he’s going to want 35m AAV.

As far as Banks is concerned, I disagree with Al. It was an overpay. It was also an expected overpay. Al is right on there. The salary cap going up, lots of money out there, and not a great crop of free agents out there. Classic. However, I do take some solace that while the Packers have shelled out the 5th most money, they’re in the bottom 10 of guaranteed money. Both of the guys they grabbed are on 4 year deals, not 3. And they have no guaranteed money after year one. On one hand, they “shelled out” but on the other, they have team options with not a ton of penalty on the cap if they move on after 1 year.

The LVN bust, Gary not being more than a “B” and Clark getting old is what is causing the DL problem right now. It’s a tough one to get out of. Hendrickson might be the only fix for a team that wants to contend for super bowls.

“And don't come at me with how much they "overpaid" for Banks and Hobbs. First of all, I don't care how much players get paid - if it all fits in the salary cap, let them make what they can.”

Respectfully, I have to disagree with this comment. Every dollar that goes to one player isn’t available to be used for the next, whether that be your own free agent or another. I realize that the salary cap goes up every year, but that doesn’t change the fact that the amount of dollars are limited by the current salary cap in each given year.

That said, now that the contracts have come out, the guarantee’s are quite low on Banks and Hobbs, so the devils in the details and the contracts aren’t as bloated as many of us might’ve thought. As we all know, all contracts aren’t the same and these two are a perfect example of illusion in the numbers. If you look at guaranteed money I suspect GreenBay wouldn’t be near the top 5 in money spent.

So, if player is playing at the level of the total monies the contract states than it’s a win-win….If the player isn’t performing, they can cut after year 1 or 2 without paying most of the contract monies. This makes these signings more palatable. In Gutey I trust.

If Morgan (Heavan forbid) can't take over the tackle spot, I hope he can improve the right guard spot and free up Rhyan (who played well) to be the center/guard 1st up. We need Morgan to live up to his 1st round billing and if he can't stay healthy or win at one of these spots, I'll be very disappointed.

"I read today that including the signings of McDuffie and McManus, the Packers have spent the fifth-most money in the league on player signings so far this year. And don't come at me with how much they "overpaid" for Banks and Hobbs."

It's NOT what you paid these guys, I read the same thing. It's what's GUARANTEED that is what's important. I'm 99% sure when the details of these contracts come out, the GUARANTEED money on both Banks and Hobbs deals will be in the first 2 years, with a fairly cheap option for the Packers to move on from either after 2 years.

Until we see what's guaranteed it doesn't really matter.

Agree Al...trading LT Walker would be folly unless an unexpected jaw dropper offer was made before the draft.

It may be Walker gets the Nijman treatment and competes with Morgan during camp...maybe plays musical chairs with him during the season. (I hope not...make the best 5 decision by game one!)

It may be another camp competition between Rhyan and Morgan. Morgan was looking like the eventual starter at RG until his shoulder shut him down.

If Morgan steps us his sophomore season like I expect either Walker or Rhyan will be swing at either T or G. I expect an OL draft choice by the 4th round or so too.

IOL Pressures should plugged, run blocking better, and OL depth greater in 2025.

Sorry, but I can't agree with Al today, and I'm not sold on either of the signings just yet.
Banks 4 year stats don't match Runyan's, who Gutey let walk a year ago, and Hobbs is a "bargain version' of the oft-injured Alexander without the bargain price!
We've got a lot of holes to fill, the Mock boards have jumped from OL, to WR, to Edge, and back-n-forth, round-n-round a dozen times, and only One first round pick, so here we are at 'Draft and Develop' again. You ain't gonna' find an Edgerrin Cooper in the 3rd round every year, so where are we?
OL is probably out now that Banks is on board, so WR? Edge? DT after losing Slaton? A trade? Wait until final cuts and pick up the scraps, again?
I think a veteran WR is important, and it doesn't need be Tee Higgins or????, Just a veteran guy that's been around to show and get the kids all headed in the same direction. Jesus, Baltimore just signed Deandre Hopkins for $6m, Cooper Kupp is still available as I write this and, even MVS is out there, just a "been there, done that" guy that doesn't need to be All-Pro, knows it, and is content with the expectations! Call him an Experienced Decoy if you like!
I'm not touting anyone in particular, just an experienced Vet, and that leaves us in position to take 'BPA For Us', which IMO is Defense in the 1st round, and then start filling holes as it goes.

I have a small disagreement with Al. Yes we got Hobbs on a team friendly deal but from what I have read is that he is not a good tackler. He has missed a lot of tackles. He is mainly a slot CB. Yes he could learn the outside. In modern football it is very difficult to substitute different defensive packages unless the offense substitutes. Most offenses do not substitute unless there is a dire need. Also Hobbs has an injury history.

Does the term "overpay" even mean anything when everybody is getting overpaid? It's the going rate. That's how a market economy works. NFL teams have a lot of money to spend on players, and they might as well spend all of it. That money doesn't do any good sitting in the bank.

Great article as always, Al! Although DK was a great fit, I never thought Gute would shell out the steep asking price (both $$ and picks). The other two signings were unexciting but very much needed. If anyone watched our OL vs. Eagles, you knew something had to change and with Ja out the door, our CB room was in desperate need. Jenkins at C will be a significant upgrade from the perennial disappointment that was Josh Meyers. With WR and Pass Rush still a need and quality options all but off the board, what can the Packers do?

IMO, trade for Hendrickson.

Don't let his age over cloud your sensible judgement, this guy has gotten more productive YoY, his technique and work ethic are flawless and he's the type of leader any team would want. All of this sounds great but he's 31YO.....well....back in 1993 Ron Wolf signed a 31YO vet who still was highly productive, showed a strong work ethic and had leadership qualities that the young team needed... obviously that was Reggie White....who was at that time 31YO at the time. It changed the trajectory of the Packers that's still in orbit to this day......Having a disruptive pass rusher on this D is the one component needed for this unit to be elite.....

Part of me wants to bite my tongue given Hobbs & Banks deserve a fair shake to live up to generous contracts.  IOL has oft been a mid-round treasure trove, so it behooves me to see this franchise having to allocate significant cap $pace to a position normally low on draft capital priority.

Gute's numerous draft warts, in this particular case, failing to acquire Creed Humphrey & Mitchell / DeJean, only magnify concurrent roster deficiencies with (perceived poor value) FA, dare I say, band-aids?  Superior, game-altering skill comes at a steep cost at the established veteran level; despite the usual media fluff, it felt there was little chance of acquiring premier talent this go round.

There are far worse situations across the NFL, but you either accept or reject mediocrity; from President, to GM, to Coach, to player--each has played a fatal blow in our past decade of falling short, often with a thud.  Gute is once again trying to make amends for past draft mistakes with the FA purse.  I could care less if he's been with us 2 or 20 years, I've grown tired of the misses, to the point of apathy--many of them obvious to the common fan.  THE DRAFT IS PARAMOUNT TO THIS SMALL MARKET FRANCHISE'S SUCCESS.  Should he again fail top round heavy, I'll gladly bellow the proverbial slogan, "GOOD RIDDANCE!"

I don't mind all the pop up ads here. I rather like them actually (closing them is like playing whack a mole). Bills have to be paid right? But what in the name of the Holy Mother is it with these page redirects? Good Lord! Just sitting here reading away and CHTV decides to just leave and go to a page that doesn't open. Doesn't matter if I am writing, reading, or just staring at the screen, when CHTV sees a squirrel, zoom, off it goes. Unlike the ads, that one is USDA grade A annoying..

At any rate, nice writeup and great comments so far that have followed.

Squirrel!!! ZOOOOOOM!!!

I took some comments and will add my thoughts to these.

"As for Banks, the Packers' lack of offensive line depth became painfully clear against the Eagles in the playoffs when we had to watch Travis Glover and Kadeem Telfort try to fill the shoes of Elgton Jenkins."
- I believe Gutey saw what happened in the Philly game and decided they needed to upgrade not only in players but also in versatility. The reported plan is to have Banks at LG, and move Jenkins to OC. Last year when Jenkins got hurt, they had no one to replace him. Morgan was on IR, Myers was a OC only and Monk seems to be OC only, and they had OT prospects trying to fill in at OG. It didn't work. Maybe they don't feel good about Monk, but if they view him as a center only, then if there is an injury to OG they could put Monk in at OC and move Jenkins to OG. They at least have some options.

"My opinion, but I feel strongly about this one. And no, I think it would be dumb to trade Walker, as I've seen many suggest. "
-I could see them trading Walker if they got a draft pick they wanted. A 2nd/3rd round pick. There are a lot of teams that need/want starting LT, and teams are willing to overpay for things. Walker is entering his final year. They have to pay Tom. They drafted Morgan to be the guy.
Now that being said. you can't have enough good OL. Walker has been a good one.

"Why Hobbs? Options. I could see them using either Bullard and Hobbs in the slot depending on the situation - Bullard on running downs, Hobbs on obvious passing downs. There have been reports that Hobbs will also play at outside corner"
-We will see how they plan to play him, but I trust Hafley and his vision. They have 3 players now that can play slot and another spot. Nixon, Hobbs and Bullard. Having that flexibility is huge if players get hurt, and depending on who they are playing they may need someone else to play those spots.

"Could this finally be the year the Packers select a wide receiver with their first pick? Imagine the delirium you would witness from the home-town Packers fans at the draft! Hey, a guy can dream...."
- I had this exact thought yesterday on my drive to work. They got a CB, and an OL so they have plugged some holes. This allows them to be more flexible in the draft. They do have a need at WR. And what they need a top tier WR. With the draft in GB, I think they are going to want to do something exciting. What position would be more exciting for the fanbase then WR.

it's many years I am reading cheesehead. the problem here is you NEVER question packers management.
NEVER.
and this time it's happening again.
the expectations here were very high, one out of crosby, garrett, metcalf was coming to green bay.
now looking at the failure of mr gutekunst you simply adapt and create a new narrative.
but the reality is packers off-season is mediocre.
and it could not be different because mark murphy did not resign in january and ed policy has no power yet.
it could have been exicitng to see the first year of a new president, new energy, new ideas.
instead we still have a mediocre president that ruined all bob harlan work and now still want to be the chief till july ruining policy first season.
I would expect to read that here on cheesehead, to wake up this franchise.

Annual plug for the CHTV Draft Guide. Buy it, kids. It's always so well done and helps to give us this space to joust, piss, moan, laugh and cry all for FREE. Everyone has to be somewhere, so purchase the guide so we can continue to come here.

Let Trey find a different new home . Yes, it would be exciting to have a splash free agent, but in the end it will be like wetting your pants.

I get a chuckle from fans who think the Packers have an unlimited budget and can score any free agent the media/"experts" deem as the real deal. It's fairly clear to me that Gute/MLF think this team can compete against the best without drastic(and costly) moves in free agency. I want to wait until all the free agent moves are made to comment on that approach.

I wrote a similar thing to Al's commentary recently that the move for Banks was a prelude to 2026. They likely aren't going to be able to afford to pay market price for the tackles and Morgan would be the obvious choice to take one of the spots. They most certainly will pay Tom but Walker they might let walk like they're doing with Myers this year. I think you will also see them draft at least one more o-lineman this April.
Hobbs is also a serviceable replacement at corner, but it won't stop the Packers from drafting another cornerback. But the priorities in the draft now are on the d-line, both inside and outside.

The team might be holding off to drive down the price of a veteran receiver. I doubt they will hold tight on the current players with Watson out and Doubs a question with concussions.

As much as I criticized Ted Thompson for being a tightwad, he did dip into free agency when it helped the team. Woodson is a prime example. I think Gute takes a similar approach. When you spend outrageous dollars you need a return and as all players know, in the NFL you're one play away from retirement.

As far as getting any of the many pass rushers available, I believe that only Garrett was truly a game wrecker. The rest were 40 tkls, 8 sack players that received from 10 to almost 20 mill contracts. Is 4 more sacks worth the expenditure when we already have Enagbare with 5, and possibly developing players in Cox with 4 and Van Ness with 3.

So - a little more discord than usual. Often disagreements accompanies progress. Also progress is not necessarily linear. As long as the Packers are headed in the right direction - I am satisfied. We can quibble among ourselves - from afar- on how and what the Packers should do (which is just a bit of fun and nothing else). However, I trust that the Packers will continue to go forward - at their speed - until success will take care of itself.

Banks is going to be expected to be a starting contributor for a long time I believe.. Packers are improving the OL with Banks.

Hobbs is an insurance piece to hold down the fort while they draft or otherwise acquire talent that will be eventually asked to take over Hobbs' role. Packers are bracing for a potential step back in the secondary with the assumed departure of Alexander and are trying to add stability with another veteran while they look for the future at CB.

Just my intuition, could be wrong.

Banks and Hobbs are legit signings. They're young with much football ahead of them. Avoiding the migraine headache named DK Metcalf was a bonus. Too much drama with that guy, which is probably why they didn't even make an offer (meaning, they were never interested). Gute also won't draft a WR in RD1 because there is a strong possibility he already plans to trade out of RD1 (read MT5 on the team website). Plus, as one former GB writer likes to say about WRs, "Dime a dozen." Look for the Pack to draft one or two WRs.

A trade for Myles Garrett didn't make sense, either. Why pay $20M+/yr for a guy on the back end of his career (turns 30 this season)? The real question is why they didn't land Dayo Odeyingbo (EDGE, 6-6, 286lbs ) when the Bears were able to get him for only $16M/yr. He would have been a great fit, and he's only 25 years old. It's also too bad they couldn't poach CB Byron Murphy from the Vikings for slightly more than what they've already paid Jaire.

Jenkins will move to center now that Banks was signed and Myers has signed with the Jets. Morgan will have to overcome reoccurring injuries to complete for a starting OL position. He's had two season-ending injuries in the last three years (ACL and shoulder). Gute will draft a utility guy who can play anywhere on the OL (i.e. Jonah Monheim USC or Grey Zabel NDSU).

Letting Stokes and AJ Dillon walk was not a shock. Drafting two or three CBs in April is necessary. The writing was on the wall for Dillon when they resigned Emanuel Wilson, who played quite well last season. However, it wouldn't be too much of a surprise if they draft a RB.

Well stated, Al!.....and a lot of long, but good comments by RC, Dobber, Golfpacker, et.al.

To support Al's comments about "overpaying," consider what the Bears and Vikings just did. The Bears tried to get ahead of what they knew was going to be good market for o-linemen by giving up a 2025 6th round pick and a 2026 4th round pick for 32 year old Thuney and 28 year old Jones while still paying them their salaries and bonuses of $16 & $17.5 million respectively and BOTH WITH 1 YEAR LEFT ON CONTRACTS (Jones has an additional option year at $17 million). Then they signed Dalman to a reported $14 million per year deal with $28 million guaranteed. The Vikings sign Will Fries for 5 year $88 million, and soon to be 32 year old Ryan Kelly to a 2 year $18 million deal. Kudos to our opponents, but Gute and the Packers are not a mess as some would say, as they did not have to go through the extremes our rivals did just to put o-lines together. I also believe we may have been in a battle with other teams (maybe the Vikes) to acquire Banks, WHO was playing in a similar system to what MLF runs. NICE JOB, GUTE!

Al and RC stated my opinion. Gute just stabilized the needs at O-line with 6 starting bodies. The same with CB, you now have 3 guys who have started at slot, and 3/4 who have started at outside corner pending Alexander. What this provides Gute is OPTIONS to sign depth pieces and the OPTION to reach or draft a player not expected to fall to us in the draft without being beholden to a position of need (though I am still in the camp of a Dlineman #1 and WR #2,, especially now). Time will tell on the upsides to these guys, but WELCOME and let's give them a chance!

As a side-note, congrats to my son who identified Hobbs as a potential Packer-type CB....#3 on his list.

I didnt expect much out of Gutt and he never lets me down. I'm of the mindset, this team needs a lot.
Way too many first round picks that arent panning out that have dragged this team down and its not just injuries. These guys werent that good when not injured: stokes, alexander, wyatt, walker, gary.
The people who were on the board that Gutt passed on for these guys could have put us in a SB or at least been a pain in the ass in the playoff run for others.
We just keep hanging on to these guys because they were Gutts prime picks. All I know is there are some really fast linebackers and corners in the first round and if we pass for some receiver its another miss year. The best teams are getting those top defenders in round one and everything else later.
The Steelers coach always draft top defenders in round one and thats why he has a winning season every year, the O aint great but the d keeps them in close games and they win enough to have a winning season.