The Good and Bad to the Packers Free Agency Moves
The 2025 free agency class wasn't the most aligned with the Packers' needs, and there were both some positive takeaways and less digestible ones.
For anyone who has experienced F.O.M.O (Fear of missing out), it's become a regularly recurring theme in Green Bay Packer fans' households come every free agency period.
Like clockwork, the free agency bell tolls, teams sprint to sign the best names on the market, and more times than not, the Packers sit idly by as good teams get better.
That's not to say General Manager Brian Gutekunst hasn't been aggressive in past offseasons, and sometimes he is, instead, very passive, but the Packers have always tried to strike a balance in their approach to free agency or roster building in general.
Not signing players right away or strapping the cap space for a player who eats up a large percentage of the cap doesn't mean the front office is doing wrong by the team. The Packers, in particular, are a team that cares as much about the long-term as they do the short-term.
Free agency is a time for general managers to choose their battles and weigh more decisions around acquiring a player than fans really care to acknowledge as they're screaming from the sidelines who is best for their team - the theatre of it all is the beauty of fandom.
In this free agency, the Packers took to the dotted line with Left Guard Aaron Banks and Cornerback Nate Hobbs. Neither are by any means "splash" signings, but as the Packers moved off Josh Myers, Eric Stokes, and likely Jaire Alexander soon, both players keep the Packers at least at baseline for both cornerback and offensive line rooms. Hobbs packs a bit more upside coming in as one of the better slot corners in football, who the Packers likely see as help on the perimeter while adding versatility to their scheme.
For a free agency class that wasn't particularly suited to fulfill the Packers' most pressing needs, there were a few takeaways on both sides of the aisle.
The Good
Not Selling The Soul For DK
DK Metcalf was arguably the biggest name that became available for the Packers to go after to upgrade the offense. However, from the jump, the Seattle Seahawks maintained a high asking price and DK maintained an ever higher one for his new contract.
Metcalf would have undoubtedly provided a huge jolt to the Packers' offense, but coughing up a second-round pick and $33 million per season instantly diminishes the move. For a $33 million wide receiver, there better be no doubt about it: That player is in the top three at his position; DK is not.
Simply put, there's a reason 31 other teams were not chomping at the bit to offload assets and an absurdly large pile of cash for him.
Not Prioritizing Veteran Rentals To Fill DT Needs
While the Packers have room for improvement and a need to upgrade at a spot like defensive tackle, this free agency class was not really fit to provide that player, and no player became available via trade that would put that unit over the top.
Unfortunately, the rest of the NFC North decided to dip their toes in the market, with veterans Javon Hargrave, Grady Jarrett, and Jonathan Allen joining the division.
While those are three quality players, all are over 30, and the Packers already have their own 30-year-old defensive tackle at home with Kenny Clark, who still offers as much upside as any of those players. Each of them joins their new team as a short-term help.
As Clark is likely on his final season or two in Green Bay, the Packers now shift their attention to adding young talent to eventually pair with a still-ascending Devonte Wyatt, who the Packers gave a vote of confidence in by not acquiring a veteran to eat at his snaps, despite parting with Slaton.
In the short term, that allows the Packers to attack with a still valuable Clark, Wyatt, a more complete and high-upside defensive tackle taking Slaton's snaps, and Karl Brooks. In the long term, the Packers are ideally set up for years with a very strong pairing of Wyatt and, ideally, the rookie they turn their attention to early in the draft.
Russ Ball Did Russ Ball Things
The Packers signing Banks was certainly surprising, given that offensive line is not a need for them right now. That said, being set in the trenches is never an issue, and the Packers were torched by the Eagles in the playoffs without the contributions of Elgton Jenkins.
Banks' contract, however, is a bit steep for his modest yet inconsistent production over his career.
But the light at the end of the tunnel is how, in classic Packers fashion, they were very non-commital and made sure they protected themselves financially despite the large dollar signs attached to the Banks deal. Ultimately, Banks will consume under $10 million of the 2025 cap space and less than half of his base value is guaranteed. In short, it's a very cheap one-year deal for an offensive line market that has become increasingly more expensive.
At the end of the day, the Packers really only signed him to a one-year deal with three team options attached.
Similarly, the Packers can move off of Hobbs after one season, only incurring a small dead cap hit. Even so, the deal is set up more as a two-year contract with team options to fill out the remainder.
The Bad
There Were Options...
While the free agency class wasn't overly strong and there weren't many realistic options available for the Packers to close in on, there were still a few players who could have provided a big boost to the Packers.
Players like DJ Reed signing a 3-year, $48 million contract with the Detroit Lions arguably stings the most. Not only did the Packers lose out on a high-end talent at a position they need to upgrade, but they lost him to the current best team in the division at a more than affordable price tag.
EDGE Josh Sweat signing with the Arizona Cardinals is another player who would have been a defining move to fix the Packers' underwhelming edge rush production. While he didn't also sign in the division, he signed for roughly the same contract the Packers signed Banks to despite edge rush being a far greater need.
While players like Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby were never actually available for trade, and nor were they realistic for the Packers to pursue financially or from the perspective of what it'd cost to acquire them, the Packers can still redeem these two misses by bringing in All-Pro Trey Hendrickson, who the Cincinnati Bengals allowed to seek a trade.
Should a move for Hendrickson not pan out, there are still some options to add instant value to the pass rush, but nothing that really puts the Packers over the top unless things were to go perfectly. Anyone left at this point either has maybes attached to their name or just isn't as sure of a bet to be what Green Bay needs to ascend the team to the next tier of dominance. Hendrickson is currently the only available "sure bet" who does that, which is exactly what Green Bay needs more than a player who maybe will be good for them.
Hinging Success On More Young Players
The Packers are no strangers to winning with a young roster over the past two seasons, making back-to-back playoff trips with the youngest team in football.
However, as they look to overcome a playoff hurdle en route to at least a championship game appearance, this offseason was an appropriate time, with the available capital, to bring in a big-ticket free agent signing to help put the team over the top in at least one spot of need.
Instead, should Green Bay forgo adding a top edge rusher via trade, after not signing a top corner like Reed, plus this not being a strong wide receiver group, the Packers will need another draft class to pull serious weight right off the bat.
That's not to say they won't be able to piece together a strong draft class to provide immediate upgrades. There's just inherently more risk involved, and Gutekunst hasn't necessarily been smashing home runs with his first-round picks.
With Christian Watson sidelined for most of 2025, Kenny Clark aging, uncertainty in the rotation ordeal still going on across from Gary, and no elite-tier cornerback on the roster, the Packers will need to lean on the current group of young players to further progress in their development.
No matter, the Packers have not brought in premier talent via free agency or trade so far. To help this team's immediate ascent, they will need to also target rookies at wide receiver, defensive tackle, defensive end, and even cornerback.
It's not an impossible mission; it's just more improbable that it will help as much in the immediate term as it might two or three years down the road. This is obviously not exactly the strategy fans were hoping for coming into the offseason, especially after Gutekunst uttered the word "urgency."
At this point, the best case is they still execute a trade for a player like Hendrickson and then focus their draft around more NFL-ready talents who are best suited to step into an important role on day one. As opposed to a developmental player like Van Ness was drafted as.
Risk was one area the Packers would have ideally been able to avoid a bit more this offseason as they enter an important season in terms of the currently open window to win. However, as it stands now, adding players who assume more risk than someone like Reed, Sweat or Hendrickson (for now) is very much front and center of the Packers' blueprint for improving the roster for next season.
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Based in Seattle, Austin's roots are in Wisconsin and he bleeds Green & Gold. He also currently writes for Lombardi Ave and has been featured on various Packers podcasts. Follow him on Twitter at @AustinKrueger_.
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Comments (48)
T7Steve
March 12, 2025 at 02:14 pm
I still hesitate at the overall cost to acquire and sign Hendrickson. Still, a guy can dream.
splitpea1
March 12, 2025 at 03:29 pm
This is why it's useless to speculate or fantasize during the free agency period--because you never know what is or isn't going to happen. I would not have thought the Packers would have signed a pricey starting guard or choose to add depth to the secondary, but that's what they did. I'm not against these signings at all, but Gute is going to have to strike gold in multiple areas of the draft if the goal, as he states, is to start competing for championships. The WR, CB, and DT he selects are going to have to be difference-makers early, not candidates for a slow draft and develop process. Add the loss of Slaton and, barring any late signings, the need for Van Ness to take the proverbial leap...well, that's hoping for a lot in order to advance beyond securing the last seed in the playoffs.
LeotisHarris
March 12, 2025 at 03:41 pm
"Ultimately, Banks will consume under $10 million of the 2025 cap space and less than half of his base value is guaranteed. In short, it's a very cheap one-year deal for an offensive line market that has become increasingly more expensive."
A not-so-pricey starting guard per the author.
crayzpackfan
March 12, 2025 at 04:13 pm
He still has something in the higher 20 millions guaranteed in just signing bonus. His second and third year cap hits are up there pretty high for a guard. The CB we got though is peanuts.
LambeauPlain
March 13, 2025 at 07:51 am
At 1265 Lombardi, as long as the balance sheet is strong (it is, incredibly so!), money spent up to the annual cap is Monopoly money.
The $10 M year one is cap counting. But Mr. Banks still gets his pick up truck shoveled full with gold. And if he turns out to be a one year bridge rental, the Packers can replace him without having to worry about cap gymnastics...or worse, roster void years, restructures, cuts, wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Crazy business, crayz!
Alberta_Packer
March 12, 2025 at 07:51 pm
"Gute is going to have to strike gold in multiple areas of the draft..." Fortunately - "There's an abundance of gold in them thar draft." And most conveniently located this year.
Lphill
March 12, 2025 at 03:41 pm
Kenny Clark , yes durable but not a game changer, he actually might be slowing development of younger players .
gsd3
March 14, 2025 at 05:24 am
Then younger players have to step up and take his spot. Best players play. If they are always looking to the future they sacrifice the now.
Guam
March 12, 2025 at 03:43 pm
"The Packers signing Banks was certainly surprising given that offensive line is not a need for them right now."
Huh? The Packers let Myers go in free agency and had zero quality depth behind the starting five and offensive line was not a need? The Packers were one injury away from disaster. Not only did the Packers need to add a good free agent, but they need to add more in the draft. Likely not high picks, but I expect two OL on the third day of the draft.
"There were a few players that could have provided a big boost to the Packers" (referencing DJ Reed).
The Packers clearly passed on Reed, Adebo and Murphy in favor of Hobbs. While Reed and Adebo were the darlings of the media, the professionals in the Packer FO targeted Hobbs. I would rather trust the pros in the Packer FO than the media to pick players.
"...the Packers can still redeem these two misses (Garrett and Crosby) by bringing in All pro Trey Hendrickson..."
This author likes shiny media objects doesn't he? Hendrickson would cost the Packers just as much as Metcalf in picks and more than Metcalf in cap space (the Garrett deal reset the market for edge rushers). If Metcalf was too expensive, how do you justify Hendrickson? Particularly when Hendrickson is three years older than Metcalf and nearing the normal decline period for big guys in the trenches.
I've said this before but it may bear repeating here. Gute has a blueprint for signing veteran players and it is NOT trading away draft picks and major salary cap space for older guys. We can wish all we want, but the pattern is pretty clear after two decades of Ted Thompson and Brian Gutekunst.
AustinKrueger
March 12, 2025 at 04:42 pm
I don’t care who says what’s about who Green Bay should target in free agency. And I am simply using Hendrickson as an example. If you want to upgrade the edge rush, settling for a rookie or middle of the pack type player is how average teams stay average when they’re trying to get over the hump.
Packers have money and player assets + draft assets to acquire a premium talent like Hendrickson to give them the best chance to get over the hump and cause real issues for teams. Move Van Ness in that deal, save on having to give up premium draft capital.
To your point on Hendrickson’s age is exactly why he’s more feasible and realistic than a DK or Crosby. Being 31 doesn’t mean he will be bad now, and he's still far better than anyone they could have got in FA. But being 31does mean the asking price will inherently be lower.
My article quite specifically acknowledged what you’re saying about the Packers strategy. Not sure how it got twisted into me “wanting shiny objects”. But sometimes, when you want “urgency” and want to “improve the four man pass rush”, that’s what you need to go get every handful of years. Especially when you have enough money and non-draft picks to move to get a deal done. Otherwise, more of the same to follow in the immediate term
Guam
March 12, 2025 at 06:41 pm
I was reacting to the whole tone of your article, not just Hendrickson. You downplayed the Packer need for O-line help and the signing of Banks. You touted Reed over Hobbs. You then suggested the Packer FO "missed" on Garrett and Crosby although you acknowledged neither were ever really available and then touted a deal for Hendrickson as the solution. Gute has never traded more than a 6th round choice for another team's player and has never traded draft choices for a high salary cap player in his eight years as a GM.
Gute has a blueprint and he believes in it. Why would you imagine he will change now and trade for an aging vet who wants a new and
huge contract (Garrett got $40MM AAV - do you really believe Hendrickson, who had more sacks than Garrett last year, will be much cheaper?).
I took the entire article as a swipe at the Packer FO. You are entitled to your opinion, but I am entitled to mine and I think the Packer FO does a pretty damn good job.
AustinKrueger
March 12, 2025 at 08:16 pm
I by zero means implied we missed on Garrett. They would never pay that price, nor should they. He was just a name who was technically “available” (hence why he was mentioned) but he was by no means ever realistic.
Didn’t downplay the oline, it’s just less of a need than 3 other positions. I also noted how we stayed at least at baseline at OL by getting Banks and letting Myers walk.
I get what you’re saying but to interpret my article as a swipe at the FO is a little wild tbh. I literally had a whole section calling out the good they did this FA lol if anything I’ve remained a Gute defender and still trust what he’s doing.
But just cause you have a blueprint doesn’t mean you stick by it where it’s failing. And Gute has also deviated at times, as every GM ever also has
Guam
March 12, 2025 at 09:50 pm
I reread your article (third time actually) and we are going to agree to disagree. I stand by my comments. It may not have been your intention to take a swipe at the FO, but it surely read like that to me.
jannesbjornson
March 12, 2025 at 08:05 pm
Preach it...no apologies needed.
stockholder
March 12, 2025 at 07:20 pm
Banks will replace Jenkins.
The 2026 Cap problems are coming.
I doubt they pay the Walkers.
Jihaad Campbell @23
Felipe Reis - February 20, 2025 is right.
jannesbjornson
March 12, 2025 at 08:07 pm
I would trade the Walkers. Jihaad will probably go to Tampa Bay. Bag Nic Scourton at DE. Get Players.
TKWorldWide
March 12, 2025 at 10:17 pm
Scourton at 23? Or move up to get him?
Draftbuzz has him in a tight cluster around 28th on the big board.
LambeauPlain
March 13, 2025 at 08:43 am
I hope you feel better after you posted this Guam...because I felt better after reading it! Well done.
I agreed with Austin on this regarding Metcalf: "coughing up a second-round pick and $33 million per season instantly diminishes the move."
But then to advocate the Packers "redeem" themselves with Trey "Show Me the Money" Hendrickson at an even greater cap wrecking acquisition completely "diminished" his above position.
Hendrickson has demanded a trade and a Mad Max/Garrett type new K deal from the acquiring team after they give up multiple high draft picks...if Cincy doesn't buckle. But Cincy said they would trade him if it is a crazy, crazy deal. Sounds like a tailor made Gutey deal, eh?
Gutey and the Packers just crawled out of cap purgatory...so sign one player and descend back into it?
How in the world will you lock up Tom this year...resign the other key players on rookie deals next year?
Coldworld
March 13, 2025 at 09:41 am
For those who want to blow a lot of money/cap on aging players, the first thing I’d ask is do you think a Hendrickson type was good enough to put us obedient the edge as a team? I do not. We had issues at WR, OL, DT, CB as well as DE going into the off season.
Our undoing last year was not the defense either. That’s a critical piece of reality. That doesn’t mean our rush is good enough, it’s not, but it does mean that to benefit from an improved rush materially we must improve our offensive output and consistency. Gute made his big FA splash there. It’s not sexy, but it removed our weakest link and should help in the run game at a minimum, we can’t expect Jacobs to do it all himself every year.
An old expensive player is a short term thing. We are probably a year out and, even if not, the window is longer than he is, even if he can sustain his past performance. I’d be love a big name rusher, but we were not in a position where that alone was the answer. We had things to do first and they cost us. If they work and we find a solution at DT and bolster our WR options then we might just be in a position where one short term player makes the difference at DE. Otherwise it’s just big name and past performance crushes that ignore reality. Hope built on sand, as Guam essentially points out.
Guam
March 13, 2025 at 10:48 pm
Thanks LP, but I am not sure I feel better. I normally don't like to be too critical of authors on CHTV because it is a labor of love for them and for us fans. And I liked the first few paragraphs of this article. However the author went straight down the rabbit hole after the first few paragraphs and his conclusions clearly irritated me. I probably should have waited a day before I posted, but I didn't.
I don't want to discourage CHTV authors, but I stand by my points even if I should have been more tactful in presenting them. The author really didn't see the humor in my "shiny objects" comment either! Oh well, I will try harder next time.
gsd3
March 14, 2025 at 05:31 am
Hobbs will help IF he can remain available. Recent history indicates he won't. Wishing him good health.
Leatherhead
March 12, 2025 at 04:42 pm
Well done, Guam!
The Book of Ted T., Chapter 1, Verse 1: It's easy to make a big mistake in Free Agency.
You have to be careful, and get guys who will fit with your culture and who can do what you need them to do on the field. It's easy to throw money at Cletidus Hunt, or Albert Haynesworth. Remember the great Joe Johnston? Remember that POS TE that quit on the team when Rodgers got hurt in 2017?
We took a couple of guys we needed. Starters. And if my calculations are correct, we'd still have enough money to get another guy for $10-$15M.
If we gamble on getting a WR at #23, and the guy we want is gone, then we're going to be putting ourselves in a precarious position. We could sign a vet to help. If the guy we want is available at #23, great. If not, we go to Plan B and take somebody else and try again in the second round. But we'd still have the FA we signed, Reed, Doubs, Wicks, and a rookie 2nd round choice. That might work.
Prices may be coming down and we might get a bargain who can still play.
stockholder
March 12, 2025 at 06:55 pm
The only WR you gamble on is Emega Egbuka. WR OSU.
Gute can't be happy with his edge guys.
And the signing of Hobbs was the
perfect fix, to a pass on CB@23.
The odds also increased- that Alexander
will be here.
But gone in 2026.
Starrbrite
March 12, 2025 at 08:08 pm
Agree Stock.
dobber
March 13, 2025 at 09:25 am
I agree that JA sticking around is a real possibility, and that his 2026 cap hit is untenable. The biggest reason to let him go early, now, is to get him off the 2026 books altogether, but the Packers might gamble that he comes back, is available, and plays well so they can get something for him yet. He's on their cap either way.
Guam
March 12, 2025 at 07:03 pm
There are still a few veteran WRs available and the draftniks (of which I am not one) believe there are some good college WRs available in rounds one and two. I don't think Gute is done yet. WR will get addressed.
murf7777
March 13, 2025 at 08:43 am
LH, I hope they don’t use their 1st round on a WR…..as you know we need to continue to build the trenches, more specifically the DL/Edge where their should be some high end talent available at 23 and get WR’s later in the draft.
LambeauPlain
March 13, 2025 at 10:22 am
I am feeling DT too...there will still be the BAP at the position on Gutey's board when he picks at 23. But maybe a CB to replace 23 if one happens to drop into their laps and is boarded higher.
T7Steve
March 13, 2025 at 01:17 pm
These ideas make too much sense. You have to think outside the box to get anywhere close to the surprises that have happened in the 1st and 2nd rounds around here. Try to give me an idea of what Gute won't do, then you might have it figured out.
I'm scared to say that Gute won't pick a QB in the 1st two days because that's how my luck goes. LOL.
Packers0808
March 12, 2025 at 05:17 pm
Dillon signs with the Eagles.
EnemyTerritory
March 12, 2025 at 06:08 pm
I’m not entirely surprised it was a tame showing in free agency. The WR pool was slim pickings and as pointed out the acquisition cost for DK was too high as was his contract. Frankly, there was gobs of cash in the market bidding up contracts. Despite having cash to play with the GM still had the least in the NFCN to shop with. And it’s difficult to compete with the patriots at 120m and others with double the packers pocket change. Hobbs was probably not on any fan radar. Can’t have enough cheap OLinemen. Cap is intact with room to spare, positioned to focus on the strength off the draft at DT and still potential camp cuts and post June 1 cuts for WR.
Throwing a question out for comment. The front office seems to want four year deals. Given these are all second contracts, is that screening out possible signings because the player wants a third deal at a year younger? Maybe we went after other signees but the contract structure got in the way.
Packerpasty
March 12, 2025 at 06:26 pm
Has anything been done so far that makes the Packers better than the one win in the division team that they were last year?
Alberta_Packer
March 12, 2025 at 06:43 pm
Yes. The Lions have lost both their OC and DC . While the Vikings may have J.J. McCarthy instead of Sam Darnold as their starting QB. Meanwhile the Bears are the Bears until proven otherwise. So even without factoring in the recent Packers improvements - there appears to be some regression in the NFC North - which should make it easier for the Packers to reclaim the top spot.
egbertsouse
March 12, 2025 at 06:56 pm
Win the division? You must live in one of those recreational use states. I’m just hoping for a 3-3 division record and possible wild card.
Alberta_Packer
March 12, 2025 at 07:14 pm
Just stick to football comments. Do not contiminate this site with your witless personal remarks.
LeotisHarris
March 12, 2025 at 07:35 pm
"I’m just hoping for a 3-3 division record and possible wild card."
Not all of us have fallen victim to the soft bigotry of low expectations.
Leatherhead
March 12, 2025 at 07:05 pm
Objectively, we are weaker on offense than last year because of the absence of Watson and the uncertainty about Doubs. The starting offensive line of Walker-Banks-Jenkins-Rhyan-Tom should be better. The backups, Glover and Monk, should be better. Love has another year of experience, so you'd think he might be better than last year.
Defensively, quite a few of the guys are back, the rookies like Bullard and Cooper and Williams all have a year of experience, Hobbs is probably an upgrade over Stokes. The only real minus is the hole left by Slaton's departure.
Coldworld
March 13, 2025 at 11:42 am
Most teams are weaker before the draft, unsurprisingly. We have taken significant steps to fill two holes in FA, conceptually. Now comes the draft to address others. After that there may well be other signings, some of which have helped us considerably in the past under Gute.
TarynsEyes
March 12, 2025 at 06:39 pm
I don't do as much as I used to do, as to draft and FA market, but it does appear to me that the Org felt the FA market too expensive for the higher status player, and not enough ROI for the lower status player, so they merely did what they could to maintain as close a sibilance to what was already. A strategic plan to maintain calm, though progress will more likely be delayed. This team will need to rely on a couple of draftees to make a statement to fill the needs that are very much needed. At the moment, many of the NFC teams have made significant improvements, though on paper still, but the Packers shouldn't be worried about winning the Division, or making the playoffs, but whether this team can secure third place. Yes, 11 wins last season is good, but it doesn't take much of a downturn by the Packers coupled with an uptick from a few other teams, to struggle to get 8-9, and that won't be enough for the first two mentioned.
murf7777
March 13, 2025 at 10:19 am
Is this the new Taryn? Your writings are more balanced. Nice to see that from you.
Starrbrite
March 12, 2025 at 08:39 pm
Put me in the “shiny object” camp. And Yes, I would fail the marshmallow experiment—good!
Is there anyone (anyone) who believes Hendrickson would be a bust? I wish I could ask Thompson if he regrets not giving a 4th round draft choice for Marshawn Lynch… . And btw, not all “shiny objects” are fools gold.
The “shiny objects” McKinney and Jacobs seem to have fared well.
If we signed Hendrickson, I believe the Packer fan doomsayers, cap worriers, etc, would be very excited; (much like when we signed Reggie). I know some folks who wouldn’t like it; the lions, Vikings, and Bears.
Leaders must make bold decisions…and they often work.
Go get’em Gutey—you won’t regret it!
Go Packers!!!
bjb2012sime
March 12, 2025 at 11:17 pm
In the span of 24 hours these high premium picks have signed elsewhere:
Stokes (#1)
Dillon (#2)
Myers (#2)
Except for Love, nothing to show for 2020 class
Except for McDuffie, nothing to show for 2021 class
Walker, Wyatt, and Watson were the top of the 2022 class: all have underperformed
LVN and Musgrave are the headliners from 2023....like getting a 23 at the blackjack table. Draft and develop? Really?
Gutey has not drafted well at the top and the sample size is large enough to support this claim.
I hope Policy looks at the Front Office with a critical eye and has the stones to make a change if Gutey doesn't improve. Pack is as good as they're going to get under his watch and I suspect 8-9 season coming up. Hope not, but schedule next year is very tough.
the_gavia_pass
March 13, 2025 at 03:49 am
simply the truth.
I hoped murphy would have resigned last january, we deserved to have the new commnader in chief from minute 1 of the 2025 season.
LambeauPlain
March 13, 2025 at 08:25 am
What causes you to clutch your pearls for the Packers draft classes...very closely resembles every other NFL team. Just where did all those Free Agents come from?
With the cap, it is impossible to re-sign every player with an expiring rookie K at market prices. Players also get hurt and lose skills. Other players are hired who are upgrades. And some just get inflated deals from needy teams.
What teams have more "hits" with their draft lottery? Betting on human nature is always a gamble. Most draft picks play for other teams after their rookie deals or end up out of the league entirely.
MilkCan44
March 13, 2025 at 08:31 am
Given what I've read about Banks, he's criticized for the same inconsistency as Josh Myers - who signed for only $3.5 million per year.
Last year Jon Runyan wanted to stay in the worst way - Banks is bigger, but is he much better than Jon?
My guess is they could have had Runyan + Myers for about the same price as Banks.
Packerpasty
March 13, 2025 at 04:44 pm
The only people who think Banks was worth what they are paying him are Packers management...most all the other F/A guru's seem to think the guy was way overpaid....wont be long till we find out how good he is...
harleycops
March 13, 2025 at 08:57 am
This FAgency was a dumpster fire. The guys like Runyan/Myers we gave away were not the warts on this team. We had to go get a dude for 77m who is over 30 and over priced. Guter got 0 WRs or edge rush. We need a center? Bears got one. We need rushers? MN/Chic got some. Grading the NFC North, all 3 teams got better. I saw grades of A+ to Chicago & MN, and B to Detroit. Somehow we got a B-, I've seen Cs & Ds too We'll see how this turns out, but somehow it just doesn't seem like we made any progress to our opponents in the division. If we go 1-5 in the division again, we've lost our dominance in the division. Go ahead, thumbs down to my comments. But come Jan 2026, let's see where we are and if I'm wrong - great. Couldn't be happier!
HarryHodag
March 13, 2025 at 09:16 am
I read Pete Dougherty's Q & A column in J-S today and from what I could gather it seems the Packers didn't think that the FA's available in certain positions were worth the money the players were asking.
While fans often get upset that the Packers aren't out front getting FA talent, the long view is 'would all that money spent be worth it?'
Dougherty thinks the Packers are waiting for the draft because this year is a once in a generation type of draft for defensive linemen. There could be players drafted in the third round that would have been first rounders in other years. Same thing is true for cornerbacks, another area of need.
I also think the Packers are marshaling money for what will be a full year in 2026 to retain the core of players who have expiring contracts, i.e. Zach Tom and others. So do you spend a fortune on a high-priced rental or retain your core?
You now must look at money every time you want to make a move. There are serious dollars heading to positions other than quarterback now and the more players you can get on first contracts the better long term. Sam Darnold/McCarthy in Minnesota is another example of what is happening.