Always on the Sidelines But Never Out
Another slow free agency for the Packers
By GregMeinholz
If you frequent social media, especially in the football realms, you're probably very familiar with the "First Time?" gallows meme/gif. This particular piece of internet art comes from the Netflix movie, "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs," showing actor James Franco with a noose around his neck, making light of a perilous situation and asking another potential gallows victim if it's their first time being there. The meme/gif is often used when a fan is upset about a situation, and another fellow fan is expressing humorous empathy because they've been in that situation before.
You may have seen this used in the last few days as Green Bay Packers fans refreshed their news feeds, hoping for the team to sign a big-ticket free agent like the rest of the league, only for them to announce nothing but trades and player releases on the coveted "legal tampering day." It's like being a kid at a family Christmas gathering, watching their cousins open all these cool toys while they anxiously wait their turn. Or sitting on the sideline watching a game, hoping and praying for the chance to join, but it never seems to come. It can be maddening. But be patient, your time will come.
Many of us Packer fans are used to this. The rumors swirl, the Packers may be interested in this player, or that player, but while all those players begin to agree to contracts, you hear crickets from 1265 Lombardi Ave. And when there is some noise from the Packers, it's to sign a player that no one had very high on their lists. A depth addition with possibly a high ceiling. Sometimes it feels like it's done on purpose. Getting back to that Christmas gathering, it's like that kid watching their cousins open these shiny, exciting new toys, and when they finally get their turn to open a gift, it's a new pair of pants. Something they need, but aren't necessarily excited about.
This doesn't fit with the kid at Christmas comparison, but as an NFL fan, this is the price to pay when your team is a consistent competitor.
Every single year when free agency rolls around, it's often the same teams deploying the armored Brinks trucks to the driveways of top free agents as their fans salivate at the possibility of a successful season. But why do they always roll out that red carpet, you ask? In some cases, desperation. Teams that aren't winning are desperate to land those top free agents to ignite their fanbase and hopefully turn things around. They emotionally spend, often leading to bloated contracts that the players themselves love, but the franchise is going to regret, no matter the outcome.
The consistently competitive teams are often content to sit back and wait for prices to drop or to sign more depth pieces than make a huge splash.
In the last two decades, the Packers have notoriously been a team sitting back on Day 1, and 2026 has been no different. But just because top players weren't signed within the first 48 hours doesn't mean the Packers won't find contributors for this season. The 2006 free agency wave was notorious for landing the Packers two players who would be crucial in eventually winning them Super Bowl XLV. They went into free agency needing defensive backs and defensive tackles. Not much different than today. Charles Woodson signed with the Packers over a month and a half after free agency started and reignited his future Hall of Fame career. Earlier, Ryan Pickett signed with Green Bay almost a week after free agency started. Both of these players would go on to play huge roles in the Packers' defense. As the years went on, many other late free agency diamonds were uncovered by the Packers, allowing their patience to consistently pay off.
Does that mean a player of Woodson or Pickett's caliber is still out there for the taking right now? In Woodson's case, likely not, we're talking about a member of Canton's elite. But Ryan Pickett wasn't even considered a top-50 free agent heading into the signing period. So, that could still be possible.
One thing is for sure: the Green Bay Packers only break the bank early in free agency when they know it's a slam-dunk signing. See Xavier McKinney or Preston Smith for reference. Two players signed early on in free agency that paid off immediately. Perhaps in 2026, it's believed that value just isn't there with this free agent class, despite the fanbase being a bit desperate for another big move.
Free agency isn't over yet, and everyone knows the biggest move of 2025 came less than two weeks before the week 1 kickoff. While Packer fans are on the sidelines right now, with only two minor signings at this point, watching others boast about their splashes, the Packers aren't out. Sometimes, the move that can put you over the top comes when you least expect it.
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Greg Meinholz is a lifelong devoted Packer fan. A contributor to CheeseheadTV as well as PackersTalk. Follow him on Twitter @gmeinholz and Bluesky @gmeinholz.bsky.social for Packers commentary, random humor, beer endorsements, and occasional Star Wars and Marvel ramblings.
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Comments (27)
Coldworld
March 11, 2026 at 10:24 am
It’s been a lot busier than our prior cap position promised. We largely shot our bolt when we traded for Parsons and assumed the associated cap.
LambeauPlain
March 12, 2026 at 08:28 am
I assuage any concern over not having a 1st round pick by asking "would you prefer the 20th selection in this year's draft or having Micah Parson's on the team for 2026?"
Then I look forward to our 52nd selection.
splitpea1
March 11, 2026 at 10:27 am
I think the Packers acted responsibly given the confines of their situation. I love the special teams additions (it's about time!) and the St. Juste signing came at a reasonable price and corrected a previous mistake. We moved on from a few players that had reached their ceiling and would have returned at a higher price than they were worth--and I would even include Doubs, though he was a fine receiver for us.
I don't know if we'll be able to sign a useful veteran DT--the pickings are kind of slim at this point.
Side note: Some players certainly go for the biggest pile of cash wherever it is, don't they? I'm looking at Linderbaum and Franklin-Myers. It's just me, but I would take a little less money to play for teams that are more competitive. Conversely, rebuilding franchises would probably be better off drafting and developing and finding reasonably-priced stopgap solutions instead of spending like drunken sailors.
Also, Jenkins just signs with the Browns. Poor guy. Well, not poor in the financial sense, but this is the perfect example of what I was just saying.
Cheezehead72
March 11, 2026 at 11:01 am
I have thought about your statement that you would take a little less money to pay for a competitive team. I often wonder which has more value to a player money or championships.
I believe at first I would chase the money and get the most gaurenteed money I could get. Then later contracts look for those teams where I might win a SB.
The money is guaranteed the championships are not.
TarynsEyes
March 11, 2026 at 12:03 pm
People who have money can afford to take less.
People who have money can afford to take less if their recognition (titles) is enhanced.
People who don't have money will never take less for a title.
People who don't have money become either of the first two above when they obtain that level of money.
Until the money issue is resolved, everything else is secondary.
The difference is how much money makes each person one of the above.
Jordy Nelson took less money and said, "How much money does a person need?"
Brady took less to win SBs, but he had a very rich wife.
Rodgers didn't take less money, because he knew the titles likely weren't coming again.
Since'75
March 11, 2026 at 03:03 pm
Most players, people in their 20's want the money. because they're hungry, especially pre NIL money
Technically, Brady might have taken less.
But big picture, he was well taken care of (not by his wife).
Brady pulled 332 million out of the NFL.
Not exactly chump change for a guy who plays for less.
Not to mention 375 million from Fox sports.
Rodgers played last season for 14 million, but damn, he pulled almost 400 million out of the NFL
Jordy Nelson is that rare gem of a human being that the world needs a lot more of.
TarynsEyes
March 11, 2026 at 03:24 pm
If the average NFL career is 4-5 years and Brady played for 20, why wouldn't he have made that amount? Same for Rodgers. What Brady gets for a TV gig is more about TV needing his face, not Brady needing them. Watson will walk away with $240 million doing nothing over 5 years. Imagine what he'd pull from the NFL if he were good and not an asswipe off the field.
Brady: $332 million divided by 20 years = $16.6 per.
Rodgers' $400 divided by 20 = $20 per.
Watson's $240 million divided by 5 = $48 per.
Don't be mad at them for lasting longer than most and one taking advantage of stupidity.
Which one got more than they deserved?
Which two earned their money?
Money always comes first, no matter what.
All three made a lot of money, and don't be surprised if Watson gets more by simply sticking around the league of stupid money, because it's about the money, not the titles.
Since'75
March 11, 2026 at 08:13 pm
Who's mad?....lol
I simply stated facts.
It wasn't a rant.
I spent about a minute or 2 writing it, and not a second thinking about it after i posted it.
But here we are.🤷♂️
splitpea1
March 11, 2026 at 12:21 pm
Regardless of whether or not a championship would be in the works, I personally would still rather be in a competitive situation where there would at least be hope instead of toiling for an organization where not winning a championship is almost guaranteed.
Since'75
March 11, 2026 at 03:12 pm
That is exactly where Jenkins lives now (Browns).
Wish him well though, liked him from day 1.
BuckyBadger
March 11, 2026 at 11:26 am
Fans always question if they would take less and for the most part they wouldn't. We can't say until we are actually faced with that scenario but we can see that most people in those positions take the cash.
Lots of factors going into why a players signs but money has always been and will always be the biggest factor. The ability to stay in the league and perform their job for big contracts is the number one concern for every professional athlete. If you where to give truth serum to a locker room after a loss you would hear lots of players talk about how happy they are with their performance because they can parlay that into another contract. The game is secondary to their own performance. Not saying winning the game isn't important but never lose site these are 53 independent contractors all looking to improve their pocket book. It is why Belichick was always stating "do your job" to his players.
davekenya
March 11, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Self-worth and self-esteem are important and core to most people. I would imagine athletes since grade school form this from external validation (coaches feedback on your performance, work-ethic, etc); not who you are inside. Once in the NFL, this translates t your bank account balance, social media following, and productivity.
More money (contracts) are an easy way to assess yourself and how 'good' you are. It's not so much the money itself (after a point) but the money is an easy metric to compare yourself to your peer NFL players.
So there's that.
Yes, for players who know the average lifespan of an NFL player is very short and a career-ending injury (or one where you never revert to your prior high level of play) is just 'one play away' are smart to 'get it while you can.'
Since we don't live in or were raised in this type of environment, it's hard to put ourselves in players' shoes - we just see them from our own outside perspectives and from the likely different way we were raised.
Thus endeth today's philosophy lecture!
Strat
March 11, 2026 at 01:01 pm
I think almost all of them move for the $$$. Fairly short career compared to others. They all want a Super Bowl, but over the years, more than a few have sold their Super Bowl rings for cash. I though the same thing about the Linderbaum and the Raiders. They are doing a rebuild, so maybe he thinks they'll turn it around quick in a "Win now" league. But I'll have to see it to believe it.
GregC
March 11, 2026 at 10:38 am
Just like last year, there weren't any obvious high-end free agent targets for the Packers, so no big surprise. Of course, last year that did not stop Gute from paying big money for Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs, neither of whom earned their pay in 2025. At this point I'm just hoping for a worthwhile run-stopping DT to become available when teams cut down their rosters to comply with the salary cap today at 3 PM Central Time.
ArlenWilliams
March 11, 2026 at 11:01 am
Thank you for not being one of the "SIGN THIS GUY!! TRADE FOR THAT GUY!!" pundits.
HarryHodag
March 11, 2026 at 11:04 am
Amen.
HarryHodag
March 11, 2026 at 11:20 am
The NFL is designed to make the weak stronger and the strong weaker. If you notice the worst teams always seem to have nearly unlimited cap space while the stronger teams usually are more cash strapped. The stronger teams tend to sign their best players to bigger contracts, restricting what they can do in the future. All of that seems well known and routine.(The only exception was Ted Thompson who mostly refused to sign free agents. I always thought he was trying to win a trophy for having the most cap space left over.)
I think so far the Packers have managed to stay competitive in the upper echelon while keeping their respective noses above water with the cap. I think the Packers this year have finally recognized a simple truth: more money doesn't always mean more production. Gute got a lesson last off season with Banks and Hobbs. Banks' injuries got better and you saw his potential. Hobbs just didn't show much.
Balance is the key. They still don't have a ton of money even with the recent moves because they need at least $10 million for the rookies.
I think the Micah Parsons trade was the big money splash which carries over to this year.
GregC
March 11, 2026 at 11:31 am
This is true, with one big exception: the Rams. They are going all-in this year. Last time they did this, it worked.
joejetson
March 11, 2026 at 11:01 pm
...and the Rams aren't afraid to part with high Draft Piccks to get the guy they think will put them in the SB.
Green Bay is trying that with the Parsons trade. It was working until the injury.
GregC
March 11, 2026 at 11:45 am
Packers signed Brenton Cox this morning. Glad to have him back. Better pass rusher than Enagbare and possibly still an ascending player. Enagbare had plateaued.
Coldworld
March 11, 2026 at 12:38 pm
That’s good news. Upside and low cost rush and run play. Overall, we’ve apparently brought back Neiman,, Kinnard (hopefully as a G), Melton and Brooks all at low cost and Welch as well. All guys who do important things well when active, even if they aren’t stars.
Cox, however, was the one potential low cost returnee who has the potential to elevate a rotation over last year (away from STs), if he can stay healthy. We badly need depth rushers who can get half a dozen sacks or so. Cox and Sorrell might just do that.
davekenya
March 11, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Balance...
On the old West Wing TV show, Leo said to Republican sit-in President Walken (when Bartlett recused himself from office when zoe was kidnapped) something along the lines of: "Sometimes being in this room (the oval office) isn't about doing things, it's about not doing things." Sometimes we're likely better off by Gute NOT doing things than pulling the trigger on a UFA deal that ends being a bad decision.
It would be interesting to know how often Gute didn't 'pull the trigger but wanted to' and it ended up that said player cost the other team that signed the guy big bucks and low productivity.
Alberta_Packer
March 11, 2026 at 12:52 pm
I'm quite pleased that Gutekunst committed to an early spring cleaning of the house - removing the under performing, expensive and ill fitting fixtures - while deftly re-working some of the parts. As I have lowered my expectations for this year's team - I am still reserving the right to be pleasantly surprised. Meanwhile - next year is shaping up to be a boffo one - with all the compensatory picks and approximately 100M in salary cap space. My interest has been re-activated.
stockholder
March 11, 2026 at 01:02 pm
So is Gute looking for security or winning it all?
Unwinding his moves from last year cost us players.
Over-paying resulted in financial inflexibility.
A win-now roster around Jordan Love.
To keep the "dead money” from crippling this team.
His Trade and Release Dilemmas are going
to keep any core from the super-bowl.
So just keep swallowing his historical flops.
NO doubt- They will be blamed on injuries.
(Yet, the players that left in Trades/ Free agency had none.)
If st players are the way to improvement.
Then just remember; Failure is ok when your
Name is Brian Gutekunst.
Strat
March 11, 2026 at 01:04 pm
On a scale of 1 to 10, how far have they moved the indicator towards improved/better? I guess I'm not seeing a big jump, but it's early. So many keep saying something big is coming...Godzilla? King Kong? I'm more impressed with what they have parted with.
WD
March 11, 2026 at 04:07 pm
Breaking . DT Javon Hardaway to Packers!
WestCoastPackerBacker
March 11, 2026 at 05:54 pm
Javon Hargrave.