Packers 2025 free agency primer: Everything you need to know

Paul Bretl | 3/8/2025

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The NFL’s free agency window is on the cusp of opening up. So what do you need to know about this year’s NFL free agency period and how it pertains to the Packers?

The legal tampering period begins on Monday, March 10th, when teams can begin negotiating with outside free agents. Deals can be agreed to at that time but won’t become official until the free agency period and new league year officially begins on March 12th at 12:00 PM CT.

During his season-ending press conference, GM Brian Gutekunst mentioned that the time to compete for championships has arrived, and part of that equation for the Packers is ramping up the sense of urgency throughout the team. And with that, one of the big questions this offseason is, how does that need for urgency and the need to compete for titles manifest within the front office?

“I think I view every offseason that we have to attack it aggressively,” said Gutekunst after the season. “The opportunities that present themselves, whether that be free agency or trade, are different every year. Every year there’s not going to be a Josh Jacobs or an Xavier McKinney out there to go get.

“So we’ll see kinda what transpires through the free agency class – who gets re-signed, who doesn’t, if there’s salary cap casualties, if there’s trade opportunities, all those. But I think we always operate under the aggressive mindset, but we have a process that we go through and we’ll see what’s available. If it’s right for us, then we’re going to attack it. If they’re not there, it’s not there.”

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So, before the potential chaos ensues, let’s walk through everything you need to know.

How much salary cap space do the Packers have?

The Packers are projected to have $42.78 million in available salary cap space at the moment, according to Over the Cap. In terms of spending power, this ranks as the 18th most in the NFL.

When it comes to spending, that $42.78 million amount is not what the Packers have to spend. There are additional salary cap expenses coming down the road that aren’t yet accounted for. Some of this includes signing the incoming draft class, which by OTC’s projections, will cost roughly $3.1 million in additional cap space.

Green Bay will also have to construct their practice squad, leave cap space for any in-season spending, and account for the contracts of the 52nd and 53rd players on the roster (the offseason cap figure only takes into account the top 51 contracts), among other items.

Ken Ingalls, who independently tracks the Packers’ cap situation, projects that those additional costs will account for another $13.15 million in cap space. That, plus the cost of the draft class and the Packers’ spending ability, is more so in the $26-ish million range.

The Packers do have the means to create more salary cap space if Brian Gutekunst feels the ned to so. One avenue could come from trading or releasing Jaire Alexander, which would free up an additional $6.8 million in cap space for this offseason.

Green Bay could also look to kick some salary cap charges down the road through contract restructures–something they did a lot of during the 2021 and 2022 offseasons. The benefit in the now is that it creates more cap room in the present, but those cap charges have to come due and hit the books at some point, so the downside is that a player’s cap hit in future years is increased.

For the right player, Gutekunst is obviously willing to maneuver the salary cap as needed, but he very much likes where the team is positioned now cap-wise compared to recent years, where they felt the effects of those previous cap moves.

“Certainly we’d love to be in that situation every year where you have a lot of flexibility to do what you need to do,” Gutekunst said. “I think depending on the opportunities that are out there and your football team or where you’re at can dictate some of that. Again, I think whenever there are players like X or Josh that are out there, which isn’t very often, I think even if you don’t have great flexibility, you have to really consider adding those kind of players because there’s just not that many of ’em.

“So again, I feel really good where we’re at right now, would love to stay in that kind of flexibility year to year. We’ll certainly try to do that, but at the same time if we kinda have to do some different things because we have an opportunity to acquire a player that can impact our team like these two guys did, we’ll do it.”

Free agency moves already made

K Brandon McManus re-signed: McManus and the Packers agreed to a three-year deal worth $15.3 million. This move gives the Packers much-needed stability at the kicker position, something that had been lacking. For more on this move, click here.

LB Isaiah McDuffie re-signed: The Packers signed McDuffie to a two-year deal worth up to $9.5 million. The move gives the Packers reliable depth at linebacker and also retains a valuable special teams contributor. For more on the signing, click here.

Packers re-sign most of their exclusive rights free agent class: According to SI’s Bill Huber, the Packers re-signed each of their ERFAs. None of this comes as a surprise. An ERFA is a player with two or fewer accrued NFL seasons. By tendering them a contract, that player cannot negotiate with other teams, and the contract they receive is a league minimum deal based on their tenure.

Given the low salary commitment required by the team, coupled with the fact that these were important depth players on the Packers roster last season, like I said, none of this comes as a surprise.

RB Emanuel Wilson
P Daniel Whelan
S Zayne Anderson
OL Kadeem Telfort

Bo Melton and Arron Mosby are also ERFAs, and it hasn’t been reported that they have been tendered at this time, but that’s likely to come for the reasons mentioned.

Who are the Packers’ unrestricted free agents?

Excluding McManus and McDuffie, who have been re-signed, below are the other members of the Packers’ unrestricted free agent class.

Each offseason, I go through my prediction series for each of the Packers’ free agents. I explore why the Packers would re-sign each player, why they would let them go, and then make a prediction.

Below are what those predictions are, but for the detailed analysis on the why behind my decision, follow the links.

LB Eric Wilson: Re-signed
CB Robert Rochell: Re-signed
IDL TJ Slaton: Let go
TE Tyler Davis: Re-signed
CB Corey Ballentine: Re-signed
CB Eric Stokes: Let go
C Josh Myers: Let go
RB AJ Dillon: Let go
OT Andre Dillard: Re-signed

A lot of factors in play when it comes to making a trade happen

DK Metcalf, Trey Hendrickson, and maybe Myles Garrett are all players available via trade this offseason. From a pure football perspective, adding any one of those players to this Packers team makes all the sense in the world. But as we all know, there are a lot more factors in play than just that element.

As Gutekunst described after the Packers’ season, it’s not only a draft pick or two that you’re sending away, but the team also loses out on an inexpensive four-year rookie deal and a young, ascending player heading towards their prime. Along with that, the team is also going to be acquiring a contract that often needs to be reworked and then comes with a hefty cap hit that now has to be figured into the team’s long-term plans.

“You’d better be right,” said Gutekunst when asked about trading a high draft pick for a player. “When you trade a high pick for a veteran player, you’re trading a young, really good contract for a player who’s proven but is probably expensive. So you’re giving up a pick and salary-cap space.”

Of course, on the flip side, the team is getting a proven and established player who should make not only an immediate impact but a high impact as well.

After the season, Gutekunst mentioned that the time to compete for championships is now and that greater urgency is needed throughout the roster. The question is, however, is that sense of urgency rolling through the front office as well and does it manifest itself in the Packers going off-script when it comes to building out their roster?

For the right player, Gutekunst will consider making such a trade, but those other aforementioned factors very much are a part of he equation and carry weight in the decision-making process.

“So I think you’ve got to weigh that,” Gutekunst added. “And if it’s the right player, if you feel like he can be a dynamic player who can change your football team, I think you’ve got to consider that, because there’s not many of those guys out there. But I think you have to also understand what you’re giving up.”

Positions of need and top free agents available

Cornerback: The Packers are at a cornerback crossroads. It’s been reported that the team is open to trading Jaire Alexander, which would leave them with Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Kamal Hadden, Kalen King, Kaleb Hayes, and Isaiah Dunn under contract. Beyond Nixon and Valentine, Dunn’s 116 defensive snaps over four seasons is the most among the rest of that room.

Improved depth to elevate the competition and to raise the floor of this position group is needed, but so is an addition or two who can push Nixon and Valentine for playing time. This cornerback room last season, even without Alexander for the second half, did well at eliminating big plays. However, the Packers ranked 31st in pass deflections, while Nixon allowed a completion rate of 66% and Valentine 82%.

“You know me. I’d love all those guys to be 6-3 1/2 and 220. I’d love that,” Gutekunst said. “I do think with what Jeff’s trying to do, there’s a lot more vision and awareness and instincts out there than maybe we’ve played with in the past.

“So, again, it’s still very important to me that we’re big out there and have some length. But I will say both those guys played very, very well for us. I’m excited about what they’re going to do continuing in this scheme.”

Of the Packers’ positions of need, this feels like the one where they will make a splash. The need is the greatest at cornerback, and the free agency class is fairly deep.

DJ Reed – New York Jets
Charvarius Ward – San Francisco 49ers
Byron Murphy – Minnesota Vikings
Carlton Davis- Detroit Lions
Asante Samuel Jr. – LA Chargers
Paulson Adebo – New Orleans Saints

Defensive line: As Gutekunst said at the NFL combine, if the Packers are going to accomplish the goals that they have in 2025, the pass rush has to improve and be more consistent. Jeff Hafley dialed up as many pressures as he could through blitzes and simulated pressures, but when it came to the Packers winning up front, the defensive line ranked 26th in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate metric.

That lack of a steady pass rush, particularly against the top teams like Minnesota, Detroit, and Philadelphia, left the second and third levels of the Packers’ defense exposed, resulting in some big and efficient days for those opposing quarterbacks.

“I think the biggest thing and we talked a little about it earlier is just the fact we need to affect the quarterback with four,” Gutekunst said. “How we do that kind of remains to be seen. We had good moments last year, but it just needs to be more consistent. It needs to be able to control the game when we need to control the game and finish games off.”

This year’s draft class along the defensive front is extremely deep, which could impact how the Packers address this need in free agency. Specifically, perhaps we don’t see Gutekunst spending a ton of free-agent dollars along the defensive line, knowing there is impactful talent on rookie deals to be had throughout the draft.

DE Khalil Mack – LA Chargers
DE Josh Sweat – Philadelphia Eagles
DE Haason Reddick – New York Jets
IDL Milton Williams – Philadelphia Eagles
DE Malcolm Koonce – Las Vegas Raiders
DE Baron Browning – Arizona Cardinals
IDL Levi Onwuzurike – Detroit Lions
DE Dayo Odeyingbo – Indianapolis Colts
DE Chase Young – New Orleans Saints
DE Azeez Ojulari – New York Giants
IDL BJ Hill – Cincinnati Bengals

Offensive line: At the bare minimum, bolstering the depth here should be on Gutekunst’s radar. While the Eagles’ defensive line exposed many starting offensive line units, and as Gutekunst said, he doesn’t want to overreact to one performance, the Packers’ inexperienced depth up front was taken advantage of in the playoffs.

Internally, I’m sure the hope is that Jacob Monk, Kadeem Telfort, and Travis Glover all make strides in 2025, but banking on that comes with risks as well. Particularly at the offensive tackle spot, we’ve seen the Gutekunst bring in veteran free agents over the years, including Rick Wagner, Jared Veldheer, Daniel Kelly, and Andre Dillard.

“Those big guys are hard to find, so that’s never something we’re not going to address,” said Gutekunst. “Like we’ve been pretty consistent in our time here. We very much believe that, with the exception of quarterback, winning in the trenches is how we need to get it done.

“And so, we’ve got some decisions to make as we move forward on the offensive line, and as we go through that, there could be some shuffling around.”

Perhaps Gutekunst could explore options at center with Josh Myers a free agent, but given that there are options on the roster to fill that role in Monk, Elgton Jenkins, and Sean Rhyan, coupled with the Packers turning to the draft to find long-term starting options along the offensive line, I don’t know that we see Gutekunst take a swing at that position in free agency.

So for that reason, outside of Dalman, the free agents below are expected to come with more modest price tags.

C Drew Dalman – Atlanta Falcons
G Kevin Zeitler – Detroit Lions
G Dalton Risner – Minnesota Vikings
OT Tyron Smith – New York Jets
OT Morgan Moses – New York Jets
G Brandon Scherff – Jacksonville Jaguars
OT Jedrick Wills – Cleveland Browns
C Ryan Kelly – Indianapolis Colts
C Coleman Shelton – Chicago Bears
G Laken Tomlinson – Seattle Seahawks

Wide receiver: This is a bit of a difficult needle for Gutekunst to thread. What the Packers really need is a true No. 1 target, something he’s acknowledged but also mentioned that he believes there are players in Green Bay’s current receiver room who can turn into that player. The problem is, when looking at outside additions, is that it’s not easy finding that level of player on the market. As of now, I’d say the only free agent who fits that mold is Davante Adams.

So, in a Packers receiver room that has depth and a lot of good contributors, does adding another No. 2 or No. 3 wideout move the needle for this unit? I’m not so sure. I think in that instance, you’re still holding out hope that someone emerges above the rest.

Now, having said that, with competition being a cornerstone element for this Packers team over the years, perhaps in an effort to ramp up urgency–something this Packers team needs more of, as Gutekunst put it–he brings in outside additions to help push and elevate the play of the receivers already on Green Bay’s roster.

“You’d like to have somebody move into that space,” Gutekunst said of having a No. 1 receiver, “but, at the same time, I’d like multiple guys to be able to move into that space. What I’m looking for is guys that, when they’re called upon, can perform at a high level. I think we have a lot of guys that have done that.”

Davante Adams – New York Jets
Chris Godwin – Tampa Bay Bucs
Amari Cooper – Buffalo Bills
Stefon Diggs – Houston Texans
DeAndre Hopkins – Kansas City Chiefs
Darius Slayton – New York Giants
Keenan Allen – Chicago Bears
Mike Williams – Pittsburgh Steelers
Joshua Palmer – LA Chargers
Marquez Valdes-Scantling – Buffalo Bills

Packers free agency predictions: Will OT Andre Dillard re-sign?

Paul Bretl | 3/7/2025

GREEN BAY, Wis. — With free agency on the horizon, I have been taking a closer look at the Packers’ pending free agents in my ‘Re-sign or Let Go and Prediction’ series.

For each free agent, I will make a case as to why the Packers should re-sign them, and I’ll also discuss why the Packers would let them walk and play elsewhere. Then, at the end, I’ll make my prediction.

This will be my third offseason doing this series, and through the first two, I’ve gotten 24 of the 27 predictions correct.

Up next, let’s take a closer look at whether or not offensive tackle Andre Dillard will return for the 2025 season. If you missed our other previews, you can find them below:

Eric Wilson
Isaiah McDuffie
Robert Rochell
TJ Slaton
Tyler Davis
Eric Stokes
Brandon McManus
Josh Myers
AJ Dillon

Why the Packers will re-sign Andre Dillard

Retaining Dillard provides the Packers with experienced depth at the offensive tackle position, which is an element where there is certainly value, especially given the current construction of the roster.

Dillard is a former first-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft by Philadelphia. He was signed by the Packers last offseason, prior to the draft, to add that aforementioned experience and bolster the competition on the back-end of the offensive tackle depth chart. He would end up making the 53-man roster and spent the season there, appearing in two games on offense and playing 13 total snaps.

“His athleticism, being able to move, being able to set and cover guys up,” said GM Brian Gutekunst last offseason after signing Dillard. “I remember him coming out in ‘19. We had him in the building and, going back through our notes and watching film on him, very similar to what we saw. Very athletic, can play multiple positions. Just his athleticism stood out.”

If, for the sake of this conversation, we assume that Jordan Morgan is going to continue playing guard, then in terms of tackle options on the roster behind Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker, Green Bay has Kadeem Telfort and Travis Glover–that’s it.

Bringing Dillard bad doesn’t stop the Packers from adding to the offensive tackle position either, but it does provide them with at least some insurance at that backup spot heading into the draft and training camp. It’s also not as if Dillard is going to break the bank either. His contract last year with Green Bay was a league-minimum deal worth $1.125 million with no guarantees.

The best-case scenario is that he competes, bolsters the depth, and again makes the 53-man roster on a very inexpensive contract. The “worst-case” scenario–and that’s a relative term–is that whether it be Glover, Telfort, or a new addition, someone beats him out during training camp for a roster spot, and the Packers let him go with little to no salary cap ramifications.

Why the Packers won’t re-sign Andre Dillard

We’ve seen Brian Gutekunst cycle through veteran tackles throughout the years during the free agency period. Before there was Dillard, the Packers also had Rick Wagner and Jared Veldheer. If there is an opportunity out there to potentially find an upgrade, as he should, Gutekunst will go that route.

From the outside perspective after last season, given Dillard’s lack of playing time, it’s difficult to know what level of confidence the coaching staff has in him if he were to be called upon.

While Dillard has the draft pedigree and the athleticism teams covet, the last time he saw extended action during the 2023 season in Tennessee was not good. In just 331 pass-blocking snaps, he allowed 41 pressures and 12 sacks, according to PFF. Out of 86 eligible offensive tackles that season, Dillard ranked 85th in pass-blocking efficiency, and he was also a below-average run-blocker by PFF’s metrics as well

Now, the hope is that a change of scenery and a new scheme could help elevate his play, and perhaps to some degree, that did take place. I mean, he was on the roster all year. But the difficult part of this evaluation and prediction is that we saw very little of Dillard, so we don’t truly know how his play was viewed by the coaches.

It’s also worth pointing out when having this conversation that we all know how important versatility is to the Packers when it comes to offensive line play. At the tackle spot, specifically off the bench, that means having the ability to play both the right and left sides, but that was an area Dillard struggled with during training camp.

“I think we just gotta keep working him on both sides,” said offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich last summer. “He looks a lot better on the left side. He struggled a little bit on the right side. Us as coaches, we gotta make sure we put him over there on the right side to make sure he feels comfortable playing over there. It’s a new scheme. Just like anything, new terminology, some different techniques and things like that. You just gotta keep working at it and we’ll keep coaching him up.”

An upgrade, a younger player, and improved versatilty are all realistic reasons that the Packers look elsewhere this offseason when attempting to bolster their tackle depth.

Prediction: The Packers re-sign Andre Dillard

Flip a coin with this one.

Like I said, our insight when it comes to this prediction is limited. However, I went with keeping Dillard primarily because of the current state of the Packers’ offensive tackle depth.

Re-signing Dillard is an insurance policy that gives the back end of that position group a boost in competition and in experience before the NFL draft arrives. A camp battle for the swing tackle role between Glover, Telfort, and a rookie–depending on where that rookie was taken–can come with obvious risks, just given the overall unknown around those players.

The fact that Dillard was on the roster all year is perhaps the most telling thing that we have when it comes to how he was performing on the practice field.

In addition to that important element–experienced depth–as I’ve already mentioned, this is another league-minimum deal with a minimal salary cap impact and in no way does it alter how the Packers approach the draft or the rest of free agency.

This might be one of those signings that doesn’t happen until we are a few weeks in, and Gutekunst sees how the offensive tackle market has taken shape.

DK Metcalf wants trade and Packers have WR need but a lot of factors in play

Paul Bretl | 3/6/2025

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Seattle Seahawks’ wide receiver DK Metcalf has requested to be traded. From a pure football perspective, the addition would make all the sense in the world for the Packers, but as we know, there are a lot of other factors and variables in play.

Throughout his six NFL seasons with the Seahawks, Metcalf has been durable, playing in 15 or more games each of those years, and he’s been a big part of the offense with 100-plus targets each season as well.

Metcalf’s fit with the Packers, in terms of what they need at the receiver position, would be twofold. He would provide them with that go-to presence in the offense and with a vertical threat while Christian Watson is sidelined. Over the last two seasons, Metcalf has averaged just under 16 yards per catch on 132 receptions.

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However, when it comes to acquiring Metcalf, the price tag to do so reportedly is quite hefty. According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Seattle is looking for a first and third-round pick in return for Metcalf.

During Brian Gutekunst’s tenure as general manager, when the right player has been available in free agency, he’s taken a swing. Two recent examples of that are Xavier McKinney and Josh Jacobs, two players whom the Packers signed to top-of-market or near-top-of-market deals just last offseason.

But when it comes to acquiring a high-end player via a trade, that is not a path we’ve seen Gutekunst explore. He’s been much more cautious in that regard, and big part of that equation is because of what’s being given up.

“It doesn’t happen a lot at all,” said Gutekunst after the season of the Packers trading high picks for players, “but we’ve gotten some first-round picks for players. Certainly, if that player can impact our football team in a significant way, you have to consider that.”

As Gutekunst described after the Packers’ season, it’s not only a draft pick or two that you’re sending away, but the team also loses out on an inexpensive four-year rookie deal, a young likely ascending player heading towards their prime. Along with that player, the team is also going to be acquiring a contract that often needs to be reworked and then comes with a hefty cap hit that now has to be figured into the team’s long-term plans.

“You’d better be right,” said Gutekunst when asked about trading a high draft pick for a player. “When you trade a high pick for a veteran player, you’re trading a young, really good contract for a player who’s proven but is probably expensive. So you’re giving up a pick and salary-cap space.”

As it pertains to Metcalf specifically, whichever team does end up trading for him will also be signing him to a contract extension. Metcalf is entering the final year of his deal and is due a base salary in 2025 of $18 million. However, as reported by Russini, Metcalf is looking to earn around $30 million per year on his next contract.

Is that a doable contract to absorb, given the Packers’ current cap situation? Sure. But it also will require some agile maneuvering of the salary cap configuration for the team, not only in 2025 but in the years to come as well, with that large cap hit now on the books.

This was a Packers’ receiver room in 2024 that did not take the collective step forward that many anticipated. The drops, lack of attention to detail at times, and wrong routes were key elements to what ended up being a disjointed passing game, particularly down the stretch.

Gutekunst has acknowledged that the Packers do need someone to step into that top wide receiver role. He’s also said that he believes already on the roster are a few players who have the ability to do that. However, assuming one of the Packers’ current receivers takes that step comes with risks, particularly given how last season played out.

After the season, Gutekunst mentioned that the time to compete for championships is now and that greater urgency is needed throughout the roster. The question is, however, is that sense of urgency rolling through the front office as well and does it manifest itself in the Packers going off-script when it comes to building out their roster?

For the right player, Gutekunst will consider making such a trade, but those other aforementioned factors very much are a part of he equation and carry weight in the decision-making process.

“So I think you’ve got to weigh that,” Gutekunst added. “And if it’s the right player, if you feel like he can be a dynamic player who can change your football team, I think you’ve got to consider that, because there’s not many of those guys out there. But I think you have to also understand what you’re giving up.”

Packers free agency predictions: Will RB AJ Dillon return?

Paul Bretl | 3/6/2025

GREEN BAY, Wis. — With free agency on the horizon, I have been taking a closer look at the Packers’ pending free agents in my ‘Re-sign or Let Go and Prediction’ series.

For each free agent, I will make a case as to why the Packers should re-sign them, and I’ll also discuss why the Packers would let them walk and play elsewhere. Then at the end, I’ll make my prediction.

This will be my third offseason doing this series, and through the first two, I’ve gotten 24 of the 27 predictions correct.

Up next, let’s take a closer look at whether or not running back AJ Dillon will return for the 2025 season. If you missed our other previews, you can find them below:

Eric Wilson
Isaiah McDuffie
Robert Rochell
TJ Slaton
Tyler Davis
Eric Stokes
Brandon McManus
Josh Myers

Why the Packers will re-sign AJ Dillon

Before AJ Dillon suffered the neck injury in training camp that resulted in him being placed on injured reserve, as Matt LaFleur said, the team had a pretty “clear vision” for what Dillon’s role within the offense was going to be this past season.

Throughout training camp, we saw Dillon lining up in the backfield with Josh Jacobs in two running back sets. He also had blocking duties and lined up outside of the backfield on occasion, in addition to being a ball carrier.

“We had a pretty clear vision for what he could do, and it wasn’t just going to be as a runner,” LaFleur said last summer after Dillon was placed on IR. “The versatility is what I was most excited about, just being able to do a lot of different things in regards to some of the stuff we did a year ago with him when we had some of our two halfback sets. It certainly leaves us with a void.”

That versatility and filling that do-it-all type of role adds another dimension to the running back position within LaFleur’s offense and is something else for defenses to account for.

Dillon said last summer that he was in the best shape of his life. He also said after the 2024 season during locker room cleanout that he intends to play in 2025.

Re-signing Dillon comes with really no risk for the Packers. His contract last offseason wasn’t much over league minimum and had almost no guarantees. Adding him back to the mix can bolster the competition and add more versatility to the room, while if he doesn’t make the 53-man roster, the team moves on with little or no salary cap impact.

“I’ve had so many great years in football and some really great teams and some great lifelong friends,” Dillon said at this locker after the season. “So, I really just look at everything in an optimistic mindset. I’m grateful to have this opportunity to continue to play the game that I love. So, I’m going to put myself in the best position possible to continue doing that.”

Why the Packers won’t re-sign AJ Dillon

Even without Dillon on the roster, this is already quite a crowded running back room for the Packers, and one where difficult roster decisions may already be on the table once we get to late August. Returning for the 2025 season will be Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, and while Emanuel Wilson is an Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA), it’s safe to assume he will be back as well.

That’s four players, all of whom were on the 53-man roster last season at various points, competing for three roster spots.

In addition to that, if GM Brian Gutekunst does want to still add here, this year’s running back draft class is loaded with talent, and with that comes a variety of different skill sets for teams to choose from. ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid mentioned that he has 33 running backs with draftable grades–that’s like putting two draft classes into one.

Lastly, when it comes to Dillon’s role that he had carved out last summer, Brooks ended up taking over a lot of those same responsibilities, especially as the season progressed. So it’s not as if without Dillon on the team, the Packers don’t have that element within the offense–they very much do.

 “I don’t need to prove anything to anybody,” said Dillon. “I think my tape speaks for itself. There’s going to be people who want me on their team, who don’t want me on their team. That’s free agency and the nature of the NFL. It’s not really about proving. I can do everything on the football field.

“So, I really think it’s just about getting there, getting wherever it is, and getting back here, whatever it is, whatever team it is, and just going out there and playing ball. I play ball, I play football. So, the best thing I can do for me is just go ahead and get in shape and get ready to go.”

Prediction: Dillon is not re-signed by the Packers

Oftentimes, I do think it makes sense to bring back a veteran this time of the year on an inexpensive contract and who knows the system. There’s just very little risk for the team, who can get out of the deal easily, but there’s upside to be had.

However, in this instance, there is too much working against Dillon that returning just doesn’t seem to be in the cards. This is already a deep position in the roster, the draft class has tons of talent at the position, and Brooks assumed a similar role last season and did so quite well.

Can reunion with Davante Adams be Packers’ answer at wide receiver?

Paul Bretl | 3/5/2025

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Perhaps of some interest to the Packers, the New York Jets announced on Tuesday that they released wide receiver Davanate Adams, making him a free agent who is able to sign wherever he pleases.

Despite the unteady quarterback play at times around Adams since he left Green Bay in 2022, the wideout has continued to put up impressive numbers. In his two full seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, Adams eclipsed 100 receptions each season, totaled 22 touchdowns, and recorded 1,516 yards in 2022 and 1,144 yards in 2023. Adams was also named an All-Pro during that 2022 season as well.

In this most recent season, which included three games in Las Vegas and the rest with Aaron Rodgers and the Jets, Adams totaled 85 receptions, 1,063 yards, and eight touchdowns.

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After a 2024 season in Green Bay where the Packers didn’t see the level of growth that they had hoped for or needed from their group of young wide receivers, the topic of conversation this offseason quickly turned to whether or not the team needs a true No. 1 target.

That speculation only increased when running back Josh Jacobs shared his thoughts on the matter at Radio Row during the Super Bowl.

“I love the guys that we have in the receiving room,” Jacobs said on radio row at the Super Bowl on 97.3 The Game. “They all have the potential to be [a No.] 1. But we need a guy that’s proven to be [a No.] 1.”

However, while Jacobs’ comments stirred up conversation on the outside, internally, GM Brian Gutekunst isn’t going to change how he operates or goes about constructing the Packers’ roster.

“What our players say in the media doesn’t really affect the way we’re going to go about things,” Gutekunst said at the NFL Combine. “I have a lot of private conversations with our players, and that’s very important to me. How they feel about our locker room and our team is important to me, but what happened that doesn’t really move the needle for me.”

Regardless of how the Packers accomplish it, improved play from the receiver position in 2025 is mandatory if they are going to compete consistently with the NFC’s best. A disjointed passing game was too much to overcome down the stretch last season, and while no one player or position group is at fault–it’s on everyone–dropped passes and a lack of detailed route running were a part of the problem, and those were issues that the Packers had to navigate for much of the season.

“You’d like to have somebody move into that space,” Gutekunst said of having a No. 1 receiver, “but, at the same time, I’d like multiple guys to be able to move into that space. What I’m looking for is guys that, when they’re called upon, can perform at a high level. I think we have a lot of guys that have done that.”

One of the biggest challenges that the Packers will face this offseason if Gutekunst does want to add a top-tier wide receiver to the mix is that there just aren’t many options available. In fact, there may only be one–Adams. It’s a risk to assume that player can be found in the NFL draft, particularly this year with a wide receiver class that isn’t as strong as we’ve grown accustomed to seeing.

Then, on the free-agent market, with Cincinnati franchise tagging Tee Higgins, Adams is the top available option. Chris Godwin and Amari Cooper are other alternatives.

On paper, Adams reuniting with the Packers makes all the sense in the world. Adams would give Jordan Love and the passing game that go-to presence that this offense has been missing. There is also something to be said for what Adams’ presence would add to both the receiver room and the locker room on a team that, as Gutekunst put it after the season, needs to “ramp up our sense of urgency.”

However, as we all know, there are factors beyond the pure football element in play as well. Adams is going to have a hefty market in free agency, creating competition for the Packers–if they do have an interest in signing him–and with that, comes a good-sized payday. Salary cap-wise, the Packers do have the flexibility to bring in Adams, but the trickle-down effect of that contract is how does it limit what Green Bay can do at other positions?

There is also the important question of what Adams wants. Jason Wilde of Channel 3000 in Madison reported that Adams is “open” to the idea of returning to Green Bay. However, according to Ian Rapoport, the “pull of being on the west coast is very real” for Adams. He could also look to continue playing with Aaron Rodgers as well.

Gutekunst has acknowledged that the Packers do need someone to step into that top wide receiver role. He’s also said that he believes already on the roster are a few players who have the ability to do that. However, assuming the Packers’ current group of receivers take that step comes with risks, particularly given how last season played out.

The ingredients for the Packers to reunite with Adams may exist, but the recipe–how it all comes together–may not be on hand.

“I think we’re certainly looking for these guys that we have currently to take a step into that role where they are more consistent on the down-down basis,” Gutekunst said after the season. “Certainly if there’s somebody outside of our building, whether it’s the draft, free agency, that makes some sense for us, we’ll certainly look to do that, but we’re also looking for these guys to continue to grow and hopefully grow into that space.”

Packers find stability at kicker, re-signing Brandon McManus

Paul Bretl | 3/4/2025

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers finally have some long-term stability at the kicker position.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Packers and pending free agent Brandon McManus have agreed to a three-year deal worth $15.3 million, including a $5 million signing bonus.

While each free agency period can come with its obvious uncertainties, whether or not the Packers were going to re-sign McManus wasn’t one of those instances.

“We’d love to,” GM Brian Gutekunst said of bringing McManus back at the NFL combine. “We’re working towards that end. We’ll see where that goes.”

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The Packers signed McManus in late-October and he suited up immediately that week to face the Houston Texans in Week 7 at Lambeau Field, a game that ended with McManus putting a game-winning kick through the uprights, followed by a Lambeau Leap.

McManus finished the season making all 31 of his extra point attempts, and he was 21-for-23 on field goal attempts, including going 6-for-7 from 40-plus yards. Among qualified kickers this season who had at least nine field goal attempts, McManus’ 91.3% hit-rate was the eighth-best mark in football. He was also 1-of-14 kickers to make all of his extra point attempts.

“Obviously he’s a veteran guy,” Gutekunst said after the season. “I think the thing that was so neat about being around him is not only his confidence but his ability to adjust no matter where we were. Really our specialists group with Matt (Orzech) and Daniel (Whelan) and if we were able to get Brandon back, I think certainly that would make me feel very, very, very good about that group.”

That ‘journey’ that Gutekunst referred to was the Packers’ search for a reliable kicker. Prior to McManus joining the team, the Packers had six different kickers on the roster in some capacity since January of 2024. While the Packers turned over just about every rock that they could in search of an answer at the kicker position, the results they were looking for were nowhere to be found until McManus arrived.

Looking at McManus’ career kicking numbers, those figures probably aren’t going to leap off the page as he’s made 82.6% of his total attempts. However, where he’s thrived is one those kicks you expect your kicker to make. On field goal attempts from under 50 yards, McManus has made 91.2% of his career attempts.

He also has big game experience as well. During the Denver Broncos’ 2015 playoff run to a Super Bowl, McManus was a part of that team and went 10-for-10 on field goal attempts in the postseason.

There’s a confidence that this Packers team has in him when he’s on the field. So much so that, at one point, LaFleur mentioned not even paying much attention anymore to the field goal attempts, knowing that they would be made.

“You can definitely feel it,” said McManus last season of the confidence the team has in him. “The coaches, too. They have to put me in that situation to attempt it, and obviously the players are comfortable with me doing that, too. A coach might not put me out there if he knows the players don’t have faith in me. Each and every day I’m out there at practice, I’m there to prove myself to them. Consistency is key in this league and you don’t have a job long if you’re not consistent. I just go at it every day to improve my consistency.”

Having been in the NFL since 2014, there probably aren’t many who were better prepared than McManus to come in off the street midseason and be asked to make a game-winner a few days later, as he did against Houston. However, while he did everything he could to stay ready while he was unsigned, there is still a learning curve that comes for the entire field goal operation when a new kicker arrives.

One thing we’ve learned about McManus is that he’s very particular about how he wants the ball placed. That not only includes which way the laces are facing but also the tilt of the ball, and both of those aspects can change based on where on the field the field goal attempt is coming from. And then there is the timing component to with Whelan as the holder that factors in as well.

But because of the experience McManus had under his belt before joining Green Bay, he knew exactly how he wanted things done. This then helped make things easier for Whelan and long-snapper Matt Orzech since there was no gray area in how they went about their jobs. The two knew exactly what was needed and what McManus wanted. From there, it was just all about repetition and getting comfortable as a unit.

“It’s been great from the beginning,” said McManus of the field goal operation. “They just had to learn me. Matt’s job doesn’t necessarily change, but certainly Danny’s does. But they’ve both been phenomenal, understanding what I like. It’s not the most favorable conditions here, so learning the winds and where the ball is leaning and where the laces need to be pointed because I’m trying to hit that back seam of the ball so it holds that line to fight the winds, stuff like that, he’s been great learning that.”

Replacing Mason Crosby has proven to be quite a challenge for the Packers, especailly as they tried to go with younger options at a position that often takes time for players to hit their stride. But the experienced McManus provided that stabilizing force and better aligns with where this Packers team is right now, which is ready to compete for championships rather than willing to endure the growing pains that comes with inexperience.

“When I got the call to come here to Green Bay, I was super excited,” McManus said. “It’s been 10 years since I’ve been back in the playoffs so I would love to help with some unfinished business here with this team and whatever happens after that, I’m excited for the next chapter. It’s been great. My wife and kids enjoyed coming up here and experiencing it. I keep saying how nostalgic this city is and this area is, so it’s been awesome being part of it.”

Packers free agency predictions: Will C Josh Myers return?

Paul Bretl | 3/4/2025

GREEN BAY, Wis. — With free agency on the horizon, I have been taking a closer look at the Packers pending free agents in my ‘Re-sign or Let Go and Prediction’ series.

For each free agent, I will make a case as to why the Packers should re-sign them, and I’ll also discuss why the Packers would let them walk and play elsewhere. Then at the end, I’ll make my prediction.

This will be my third offseason doing this series, and through the first two, I’ve gotten 24 of the 27 predictions correct.

Up next, let’s take a closer look at whether or not center Josh Myers will return for the 2025 season. If you missed our other previews, you can find them below:

Eric Wilson
Isaiah McDuffie
Robert Rochell
TJ Slaton
Tyler Davis
Eric Stokes
Brandon McManus

Why the Packers will re-sign Josh Myers

After Myers was responsible for giving up eight combined sacks during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, he allowed only one this past year. In the run game, Josh Jacobs would average 4.3 yards per rush when running directly to Myers’ right or left, according to PFF’s metrics.

“I thought he had his best year. I thought he dealt with some things during this year that were tough, and I thought he fought through it like a champion, and certain an asset to our football team,” said Brian Gutekunst. “I know Jordan trusts him very much as his center.”

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How a player performs once the ball is snapped is ultimately what matters most and, admittedly, if you search through the stat sheet, Myers isn’t going to be among the best in pressures allowed, win rate, or run-blocking grade.

However, there is a stabilizing force his presence provides in the middle of the offense and on this Packers’ team as a whole. During the season, Matt LaFleur would say that Myers is the guy “driving the ship up front,” and added that he is a “heart and soul of the team” type of player. Myers has also emerged over the last two seasons as one of the leaders, not only in the offensive line room but on the team as a whole.

Those players are not easily replaced.

When it comes to playing the center position, there is also a lot more that goes into it than just after the ball is snapped. The center’s job begins pre-snap with identifying defensive personnel and alignments, along with any potential blitzers, and then communicating that effectively to the rest of the blockers so everyone is on the same page with their responsibilities. A mix-up here, and the play can have almost no chance of success before it even begins.

Myers has rarely missed a snap in his NFL career, let alone a game. This past season, he fought through several injuries to make sure he was on the field on Sundays. That availability and reliability are key components to the continuity of the offensive line unit and has helped build trust, as Gutekunst mentioned, and a rapport with Jordan Love.

“I can’t say enough good things about Josh Myers, not only as a player but as a leader,” added Gutekunst. “He really does embody kind of a Green Bay Packer and what we’re looking for and how they’re wired. Again, I thought he had a really good year, fought through some things. . . “I look back at that one, and I’m really glad we’ve had him for the last four years.”

When it comes to playing the center position, all of these other elements just described very much matter as well.

Why the Packers won’t re-sign Josh Myers

As mentioned above, there’s a lot that goes into the center position pre-snap, but ultimately, the question is, how did the player perform once the ball is snapped? And for Myers, he’s had up and down play throughout his career.

Even this past season, one that Gutekunst thought was Myers’ best, out of 41 eligible centers, he ranked 36th in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric. He also surrendered the third-most pressures. In run-blocking grade, Myers ranked 38th. Those metrics are just one evaluation tool and aren’t the be-all-end-all, but they do provide some context around Myers’ play compared to his counterparts.

For many of the reasons discussed, I do think the Packers would like to have Myers back–but at the right price. This feels like one of those situations, not unlike last offseason with Jon Runyan, where the Packers have their line in the sand on what they’ll offer contract-wise.

Myers will test the market, probably earn more elsewhere than what the Packers are willing to pay, and end up signing with a new team. Runyan would earn a contract last offseason with the New York Giants, paying him $10 million per year. According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Myers “would likely cost at least that much.”

Outside of Atlanta’s Drew Dalman, Myers, given his experience and age, is going to be one of the top available free-agent centers this offseason and likely compensated as such.

Prediction: Josh Myers signs elsewhere

It was about halfway through last season when I was first asked whether I thought Myers would return in free agency. Since then, I’ve gone back and forth on what I think the Packers will do. I really do believe that the pre-snap component to playing center is extremely important, and Myers is very good in that area.

However, with it now being prediction time, my gut says Myers signs elsewhere.

In short, the play over four seasons has been sporadic at times. As Demovsky reported, Myers is going to get a good-sized payday on the open market–more than what the Packers are probably willing to pay. And when it comes to replacing Myers, there are already a few options on the roster, including Jacob Monk, Elgton Jenkins, and even Sean Rhyan.

Packers reportedly re-sign free agent linebacker Isaiah McDuffie

Paul Bretl | 3/3/2025

GREEN BAY, Wis. — With free agency on the horizon, the Packers are reportedly bringing back linebacker Isaiah McDuffie.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Packers are re-signing McDuffie to a two-year, $8 million deal. McDuffie can earn up to $9.5 million through incentives.

McDuffie was a key figure in the Packers’ defense last season. His 728 snaps were the second-most at linebacker behind only Quay Walker. And while by the end of the season, Edgerrin Cooper was starting to see more playing time than him, McDuffie was still cemented in the lineup as the Packers’ third linebacker when lined up in their 4-3 base defense.

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Where McDuffie is at his best is against the run and at the line of scrimmage. He can shed blocks, fill gaps, and has the speed to flow sideline-to-sideline on boundary runs. McDuffie has also been a very reliable tackler throughout his career.

Beyond the defensive contributions, he’s been a regular special teams contributor for the Packers as well. This past season, McDuffie played 146 special teams snaps and did so across five different phases. In 2023, when he saw fewer snaps on defense, McDuffie played 222 special teams snaps, which was the fifth most on the team.

“I think he’s one of the toughest guys on our team,” said Jeff Hafley last season. “Another guy who gives everything he has every play. He studies it. If you ever want to turn on one clip and look for a guy running to the ball, turn on any clip he’s in, and you’ll find him when the whistles blown trying to take the ball away.”

As we saw late last season, Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper will be the Packers’ nickel linebackers, while McDuffie could compete with Ty’Ron Hopper for that third linebacker role when Green Bay is lined up in their base defense.

Bringing McDuffie back gives the Packers’ defense experienced depth and someone they can rely on if injuries strike or if Hopper isn’t ready to take that next step. The return of McDuffie won’t get in the way of Hopper moving into a larger role, but he does provide the Packers with some insurance if needed. At a minimum, with McDuffie back in the fold, Green Bay retains a core special teams contributor.

“He’s a guy you can count on and I would echo what Jeff says,” said former Packers linebackers coach Anthony Campanile, “he is what’s right with football. It’s still about being tough, doing your job, and he’s going to come every day coming to practice 1,000 miles an hour.

“You can’t wear that guy out. He’s a very prideful person, he really is a prideful person. He’s a guy like away from football you like to hang around because he’s a guy you can trust and he’s going to do his job and do the right thing all the time. It’s important to him, it’s super important to him.”

Packers post-NFL combine shortlist of draft prospects at top positions of need

Paul Bretl | 3/3/2025

GREEN BAY, Wis. — With the NFL combine now behind us, which players at positions of need for the Packers stood out during the on-field portion of the event?

To help us identify who these top-performing prospects were, we will be using the Relative Athletic Scoring (RAS) scale, which has a relatively strong connection to past Packers’ draft picks under GM Brian Gutekunst.

In short, RAS was created by Kent Lee Platte and allows us to easily see how players within their respective position groups compare athletically to one another based on their measurements and testing numbers from the combine and Pro Days.

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If two linebackers have different heights and weights, with one running a fast 40-yard dash, but the other testing better in the agility drills, how do we know who the more athletic prospect is?

That’s where RAS comes into play. With Platte’s formula, he takes all of that information and quantifies it into a digestible figure that falls on the 0-10 scale. Or in short, the higher the RAS, the better the athlete. On Platte’s scale, 5.0 is considered average and a score of 8.0 or higher puts that player within the top 20 percentile of his position group.

Also of note, the RAS scale factors in historical results as well and is not only based on the current year’s draft class. It’s also position-specific, so even though a receiver and a center will test quite differently, both could post an RAS of 9.0 because it’s relative to their specific position groups.

To learn more about RAS and how it works, click here.

Since the 2018 NFL draft, Gutekunst’s first as the general manager, he has made 72 selections and 65 of them have registered a RAS. Of those 65 prospects, 48 have a RAS of at least 8.0 and 28 scored above 9.0.

Only 10 of those picks have scored below a 7.0, and of those 10 players, only two were top-100 selections by the Packers–wide receivers Amari Rodgers and Jayden Reed.

When it comes to some of the bigger positional needs this offseason for the Packers, only three of Gutekunst’s seven draft picks along the interior defensive line scored a RAS of 8.0 or higher. At defensive end, however, four of his five picks scored above 8.90.

In the secondary at cornerback, five of Gutekunst’s seven picks scored 9.20 or higher. Along the offensive line, eight of the 11 prospects registered a RAS of 8.0 or more. Lastly, at wide receiver, six of the nine draft picks scored 8.0-plus.

Now, of note, do I believe that Gutekunst and the Packers’ scouting department is scouring X and Platte’s site looking at RAS cards as part of their decision-making process? No, I don’t. However, having said that, the Packers do take into account this information has some overlap with RAS, so from our outside perspective, that can help us gain some insights into who may or may not be on the Packers’ radar.

It’s also not indicative of a player’s ability to be successful at the NFL level. Both Jayden Reed and Karl Brooks have a RAS below 7.0 and both have been key contributors for the Packers the last two seasons–although, the better the athlete can increase the chances of that player having a long and successful NFL career, even if incrementally so.

“It’s all important,” said Gutekunst last offseason of the pre-draft process. “First and foremost, it’s all important, the medical, everything’s important. At the end of the day, and this goes back for as long as I’ve done this, you go back to the tape and how they play the game. I think whenever there’s discrepancies, whenever you’re not sure, you go back to the tape, and that’s going to be your best predictor of future success is what they’ve done on tape, and that’s kind of what we live by.”

So with all of that in mind, here were the top NFL combine performers who could be on the Packers’ radar:

Wide receiver

If the Packers want to add a true No. 1 target to the wide receiver room, I don’t know that they’ll find that player in this year’s draft class–or at least not right away and where they are selecting. However, in addition to that element, the team does need a vertical presence in the offense while Christian Watson is sidelined.

Under Gutekunst, six of his nine draft picks at wide receiver have scored 8.4 or higher on the RAS scale, so we will use that as our benchmark. In addition to the RAS, the Packers very much have a type at receiver, preferring bigger-bodied pass catchers who are at least 5-11 and 190 pounds. The 3-cone is also an important drill in the evaluation of the prospect’s athleticism.

Below are the receivers with a RAS of 8.4-plus, who meet the height/weight requirements and ran a sub-7.1 second 3-cone–if they tested in that category:

Isaiah Neyor, Nebraska: 10.00
Isaac Teslaa, Arkansas: 9.97
Sam Brown, Miami: 9.87
Jayden Higgins, Iowa State: 9.85
Dont’e Thornton, Tennessee: 9.83
Tory Horton, Colorado State: 9.71
Elic Ayomanor, Standord: 9.67
Chimere Dike, Florida: 9.65
Jack Bech, TCU: 9.46
Elijah Badger, Florida: 9.44
Jalen Royals, Utah State: 9.26
Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas: 9.06
Tre Harris, Ole Miss: 9.02
Jordan Watkins, Ole Miss: 8.77
Roc Taylor, Memphis: 8.55

Defensive line

As Gutekunst said at the NFL combine last Tuesday, if the Packers are going to accomplish the goals that they have in 2025, the pass rush has to improve.

When it comes to defensive end, Gutekunst has often drafted the elite of the elite in terms of athleticism, with four of his five draft picks at this position scoring 8.97 or higher on the RAS scale. So, for defensive ends, we will use a RAS of 9.0 as our cutoff.

At defensive tackle, however, there has been a greater RAS-variance for Gutekunst. Of his seven draft picks, only three have scored 8.0 or higher. For this exercise, we will use 8.0 as our line in the sand.

Also being taken into consideration is how these prospects tested in the explosive drills–the broad jump and vertical jump–and their 3-cone, if they tested. Lastly, with Gutekunst preferring big-bodied edge defenders, only those prospects above 250 pounds will be included as well. At defensive tackle, we will use 290 pounds as the benchmark.

Defensive end
Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M: 10.0
Landon Jackson, Arkansas: 9.88
Tyler Baron, Miami: 9.30
Fadil Diggs, Syracuse: 9.29
Barryn Sorrell, Texas: 9.27

Defensive tackle
Jared Harrison-Hunte, SMU: 9.66
Zeek Biggers, Georgia Tech: 9.54
Warren Brinson, Georgia: 9.33
Darius Alexander, Toledo: 9.20
CJ West, Indiana: 9.14
TJ Sanders, South Carolina: 8.52

Cornerback

Another position where Gutekunst has preferred size and length at the position, although he did mention at the NFL combine putting a greater emphasis on “vision” and “awareness” at cornerback.

“You know me. I’d love all those guys to be 6-3 1/2 and 220. I’d love that,” Gutekunst said. “I do think with what Jeff’s trying to do, there’s a lot more vision and awareness and instincts out there than maybe we’ve played with in the past.”

Five of Gutekunst’s seven cornerback draft picks have scored above 9.0 on the RAS scale. For now, I will also continue to prioritize size, specifically corners who are at least 5-10 and 180 pounds and have run a sub 6.9-second 3-cone.

Darien Porter, Iowa State: 9.99
Caleb Ransaw, Tulane: 9.95
Max Hairston, Kentucky: 9.71
Jason Marshall, Florida: 9.03
Jahdae Barron, Texas: 9.00

Offensive line

The Packers could look to add competition to this position when it comes to their depth here. Not to mention that the draft is about planning ahead, and in addition to Josh Myers being a free agent this offseason, just one year from now, Rasheed Walker, Zach Tom, and Sean Rhyan are all scheduled to be free agents as well.

In Gutekunst’s draft history, eight of his 11 selections along the offensive line have scored 8.0 or higher on the RAS scale. The difficult part in evaluating this year’s group is that very few ran any of the agility drills and that’s been an important metric in the Packers’ evaluation process.

The other element to keep in mind and not accounted for here is that tackles who perhaps didn’t test as well at that position could end up being a guard for the Packers.

Offensive tackle
Jalen Travis, Iowa State: 9.91
Logan Brown, Kansas: 9.45
Caleb Rogers, Texas Tech: 9.43
Carson Vinson, Alabama A&M: 9.39
Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota: 9.35
Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona: 9.13
Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College: 9.02
Josh Conerly, Oregon: 8.76
Kelvin Banks, Texas: 8.25
Anthony Belton, NC State: 8.07

Interior offensive line
Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia: 9.98
Jared Wilson, C, Georgia: 9.98
Eli Cox, C, Kentucky: 9.95
Drew Kendall, C, Boston College: 9.86
Connor Colby, G, Iowa: 9.62
Miles Frazier, G, LSU: 9.59
Joshua Gray, G, Oregon State: 9.50
Jackson Slater, G, Sac State: 9.20
Joe Huber, G, Wisconsin: 8.85
Clay Webb, G, Jacksonville State: 8.75

Packers and Brian Gutekunst at a cornerback crossroads this offseason

Paul Bretl | 3/1/2025

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The defensive line and wide receiver groups are positions where the Packers could make additions this offseason. However, neither currently faces the level of uncertainty that the cornerback unit does.

It’s been reported that the Packers have had trade conversations around cornerback Jaire Alexander. The All-Pro cornerback has, unfortunately, had to navigate injuries, appearing in only 14 games the last two years. When on the field, Alexander can still play at a high level, but he hasn’t consistently had that opportunity as of late.

“We’ll see,” Gutekunst said at the NFL combine when asked if Alexander will be on the team next season. “We’re working through that. He certainly could be, but I think we’ll work through that as we go.”

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Beyond Alexander, the depth, particularly when it comes to experience at this position for the Packers, is quite thin. With Alexander’s future uncertain and Eric Stokes a free agent, that leaves the Packers with Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Kamal Hadden, Kalen King, Kaleb Hayes, and Isaiah Dunn on the roster. Beyond Nixon and Valentine, Dunn’s 116 career defensive snaps over four seasons is the most among the rest.

Rewinding to last offseason, from the outside perspective, there were still some unknowns around the Packers’ cornerback unit. However, internally, the Packers have continued to be quite bullish about that unit, particularly Nixon and Valentine.

Following the Packers’ playoff loss to Philadelphia, Nixon told reporters that he was ready to focus solely on being the team’s top cornerback and was ready to give up being the return man. Now, whether or not things actually play out that way this season remains to be seen, but the Packers did like what Nixon provided them.

Nixon allowed a completion rate of 66% on 86 targets and held opponents to just 9.3 yards per catch with six pass breakups and an interception. Among cornerbacks who played at least 375 coverage snaps, only seven had a lower yards-per-catch allowed than Nixon.

“I think he played really, really well,” Gutekunst said of Nixon’s play. “I think he really fit what Jeff (Hafley) was trying to do. First of all, he’s an outstanding competitor. I didn’t blink when we asked him to do that, but I just think his athleticism and his ability … with his eyes and his ability to tackle served us well out there. For me, he may not have the length that some of those guys on the outside have, but his awareness and ball skills make up for that.”

Valentine, meanwhile, struggled to find steady playing time early on in the year, but during that final stretch of the season, he had definitively won what had been a competition for the CB2 role over Stokes. This included coming away with two interceptions in the final four games, along with holding pass-catchers to under 11.0 yards per catch in five of the final six games last season.

“I think CV is a young player, and the more he plays, it seems like the better he’s getting,” Matt LaFleur said late in the season. “And I think he’s addressed some of the things that we wanted him to work on throughout, not only last year, but into this year, and he’s done a nice job, and certainly he’s made some plays for us, particularly in the last couple of games, and I expect him to get better.”

However, the Packers can’t keep the status quo at this position either. At a minimum, experienced depth is needed, along with Nixon and Valentine needing competition to earn playing time moving forward.

What the Packers’ cornerback room did well last season, even without Alexander, was eliminating explosive plays. However, beyond Xavier McKinney’s interceptions at safety, there wasn’t much ball production with Green Bay ranking 31st in pass deflections. In addition to that, while Nixon and Valentine both limited yards, they gave up a high percentage of completions with Nixon at 66% and Valentine at 82%.

Even when only surrendering 10 yards per catch–which is good for a boundary cornerback–if you’re giving up three receptions on every four targets, that’s a lot of first downs for the offense, which in turn keeps them on the field.

Given the current outlook of this unit, this is a position group where, between free agency and the draft, we will see the Packers double or triple-dip, making several additions. Green Bay does have the salary cap flexibility to take a swing this offseason in free agency, and if things do play out that way, I anticipate that it will be on a cornerback.

As we discussed recently, the wide receiver options, in terms of what the Packers need, is extremely limited, and this defensive line class is extremely deep–so my guess is that’s where Gutekunst addresses that need. But I think cornerback could be the sweet spot in free agency.

That’s not to say that there isn’t high-end talent in the draft, but it’s not an overly deep position group this year either, and when it comes to the Packers giving themselves the most flexibility in the draft, having already tackled this need in free agency will provide that, versus entering Day 1 with the mindset of, ‘we must add to this position group.’ No team wants to be in that position.

The top free-agent options, according to PFF, include DJ Reed, Charvarius Ward, Byron Murphy, and Carlton Davis. I would also add Paulson Adebo as an option as well–an aggressive, ball-hawking corner, who is an ideal fit for man coverage.

In the draft, some early-round names to know are Jahdae Barron (Texas), Trey Amos (Ole Miss), Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky), Shevon Revel (ECU), Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame), Darien Porter (Iowa State), and Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State).

“You know me. I’d love all those guys to be 6-3 1/2 and 220. I’d love that,” Gutekunst said. “I do think with what Jeff’s trying to do, there’s a lot more vision and awareness and instincts out there than maybe we’ve played with in the past.

“So, again, it’s still very important to me that we’re big out there and have some length. But I will say both those guys played very, very well for us. I’m excited about what they’re going to do continuing in this scheme.”

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