Are the Green Bay Packers Doing Enough in Free Agency?
By GilMartin
Shortly after the Green Bay Packers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Eagles, general manager Brian Gutekunst told the media that the team needed to “continue to ramp up our sense of urgency. These opportunities don't come (very often). The life of a player in the National Football League is not very long. We've got a bunch of good guys in that locker room, got a bunch of talented guys in that locker room, and yeah, I think it's time that we start competing for championships, right?”
Many people took that to mean that the Packers may change their approach in free agency this offseason and make a big splash move. So far, that hasn’t happened. But it raises the question, are the Packers doing enough in free agency?
Let’s be clear, under Gutekunst, the Packers have not been averse to using free agency when they had the cap space and roster needs to fill. His predecessor, Ted Thompson, was much more reluctant to spend money on free agents. While the Packers still primarily build through the draft, they do sign free agents if the fit its right and the money is there.
In 2018, the two big free agent signings were tight end Jimmy Graham and defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson. Neither panned out as hoped. Graham started but never lived up to expectations while injuries ended Wilkerson’s time with the Packers after just a few games.
In 2019, Gutekunst went big in free agency, and it helped revitalize the team in Matt LaFleur’s first year as coach. The team signed four starters in free agency in edge rushers Preston and Za’Darius Smith, offensive lineman Billy Turner, and safety Adrian Amos. Those players all contributed to the Packers trips to the NFC Championship Game in the next two seasons.
The next few years after that were low key. Because of a poorly structured contract with Aaron Rodgers, the Packers had less cap space to work with. Gutekunst still made smaller moves, signing players like Christian Kirksey, Devin Funchess, and De’Vondre Campbell. Campbell had a career year and was a major contributor for a few seasons while others did not work out as planned due to injuries or just a lack of production. Remember, Campbell was also signed later in the offseason, after the first wave of free agency ended.
In 2023, the Packers were able to add return specialist and defensive back Keisean Nixon who was named All Pro twice as a kick returner.
In 2024, the Pack added two key players in running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney. Both went to the Pro Bowl and were key contributors to the team’s 11-win season.
This season, Gutekunst has plenty of cap room, but he hasn’t found players he feels are both worth paying for and are good fits for the Packers.
Teams that spend big early in free agency and make a lot of headlines don’t necessarily win a lot of football games the following fall. The Bears have been declared winners every offseason in recent years but have stumbled once the games started to be played in the fall.
How many times did Washington spend a lot of money in free agency under owner Daniel Snyder only to flounder once the games counted.
There are other moves Gutekunst could have made whether it was trading for D.K. Metcalf or bringing Devante Adams back to Green Bay. There are still trades out there he can make, and Jaire Alexander could be a part of a future deal later this offseason.
The bottom line is that Gutekunst has been willing to use free agency to improve the team, but he hasn’t spent recklessly or just for the sake of spending money.
The three players the Packers did sign this year, guard Aaron Banks, cornerback Nate Hobbs, and receiver/return specialist Mecole Hardman may not have been “sexy” moves, but they should help improve the team and address specific needs the team had.
We’ll see what happens between now and Week 1 in September. Again, Gutekunst will primarily build through the draft, but he will use free agency and trades when he sees fit. While he hasn’t made the big splash many fans have hoped for, the offseason isn’t over yet, and we’ll have to see what kind of team the Packers field when training camp opens.
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You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
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Comments (45)
Guam
March 20, 2025 at 10:20 am
I have seen varying estimates but I believe Gute still has a little cap space available this year. I wouldn't be surprised if he is saving that for training camp cuts. Every year there are some big names that get cut for a variety of reasons and Gute should be in position to do a little cherry picking if the player makes sense. GPG
Leatherhead
March 20, 2025 at 11:12 am
I agree with you Guam. He has some space. He also has a big extension coming for Tom that he needs to be covered.
If we had to play a game with what we have right now, before the draft, or roster cut downs, we'd be in pretty decent shape. QB, starting RB , starting Oline, starters at TE and WR, starters on defense.
There are still spots on the 53 man roster that are open: 3 WRs, an Olineman, a CB, a DT. After the draft, if there's still a spot that could be filled with somebody else's cut, then we could fill that.
stockholder
March 20, 2025 at 11:54 am
Wirfs and Penei Sewell make 28 mil. a year
The top 11 RTs make at least 15 mil a year.
Tom is at 4mil. now.
Covered?? I'd cover the LT first.
Leatherhead
March 20, 2025 at 12:36 pm
I think Morgan will replace Walker at LT.
LambeauPlain
March 20, 2025 at 01:39 pm
As do I...and Rhyan will be defending his job from a rookie IOL.
Guam
March 20, 2025 at 03:50 pm
Apologies LH and LP, but I think you underestimate Walker. He will be the starting LT for 2025. After 2025 it will depend on how many Gute can resign. Too many contracts coming up and not enough cap space so you may be right about Morgan being the LT in 2026.
LLCHESTY
March 20, 2025 at 08:01 pm
It's also quite possible they view Morgan as an inside player. If that's the case they need to draft an OT early to hopefully have a decent backup T. Then if Walker walks in '26 they have someone to compete with a rookies 1st or 2nd rounder for a T spot.
stockholder
March 20, 2025 at 03:45 pm
After Bahk- ??
In fact I could see him taking a Ot early.
Instead of the big contract for either.
EnemyTerritory
March 20, 2025 at 07:52 pm
2025 sees potential contracts for Willis, Watson, Doubs, Heath, Tom, Rhyan, engabare and Cox. Most likely saving cap space to extend or replace
SDPack
March 20, 2025 at 10:49 am
I think Gutey is done now for this year unless a 1-year value type player becomes available late. Any unused cap space will be used to extend players like Zach Tom or roll the unused space into next season which we will need as the 2022 draft class has expiring contracts and we need to make calls on both Wyatt and Quay as the 5th year options can be expensive. In any case, we have a solid roster now for this season and it will only improve after the draft.
dobber
March 20, 2025 at 12:54 pm
There are some things they could do yet with cuts and guaranteeing bonuses/cash that could open up more cap in 2025 if they really needed to, but it just pushes some commitments down the road.
SDPack
March 21, 2025 at 05:53 pm
I hope not Dobber. Pushing cap hits out to future years got us in a bind the last few years and we are finally out of it. The key is to manage the dead money to a low number so that our salary cap dollars are being used productively paying current players. We are already projected over the 2026 cap and we have a lot of guys to resign over the next two years. Stealing future cap dollars to add to this current roster would put us right back into cap hell within two years. We are in a good place right now.
splitpea1
March 20, 2025 at 10:52 am
Well, the last several years have been a lot more satisfying than the dearth of signings in the previous regime. The last big splash signing was McKinney, who achieved All-Pro status in his first year here; safety was a huge need and it was addressed immediately, so no one can complain about that.
This season it could be argued that the Packers could have pounced on center Dalman immediately and found a cheaper option at guard, as Banks comes with a pretty high price tag (I'm sure he couldn't wait to sign that contract).
Otherwise the price was too steep for some of these marquee veterans in our areas of need, and with questions about a few of the players already on the roster, it probably makes more sense to find out if they're part of our long-term future before we start throwing more money around. And the obvious concern that still lingers is whether we're going to use our premium picks on prospects who are ready to contribute at the NFL level--or not.
LambeauPlain
March 20, 2025 at 01:43 pm
The high price tag for Banks was the market price that has been rapidly ramping up post covid.
Next move would be to sign Tom...contract inflation will continue to roar. His deal $ grow every day he is not signed.
stockholder
March 20, 2025 at 11:37 am
No - He didn't do enough-
IMO- No Free Agent wanted to leave Green Bay.
I prefer solid Depth and competition.
Gute had money to burn.
If Gute believed in urgency!
Gute should have signed his own.
Instead he has a problem.
Fill the void.
Every year it's a puzzle at draft time.
LeotisHarris
March 20, 2025 at 01:41 pm
"Instead he has a problem.
Fill the void."
Could be part of the chorus to a Metallica song. Might work for Bob Seger, too.
Bitternotsour
March 20, 2025 at 02:05 pm
I'm sort of seeing mid-career lou reed.
LeotisHarris
March 20, 2025 at 02:58 pm
Our dishwasher needs some love. I was singing "waiting for a part" to the tune of I'm Waiting for the Man" the other day. Gives the song an entirely different feel.
LLCHESTY
March 20, 2025 at 08:05 pm
"On a very busy highway just East of San Francisco"
the_gavia_pass
March 20, 2025 at 11:51 am
we must consider 3 points:
1. packers do not trade high-mid picks so they never trade for great-good players
2. gute has been very bad drafting in 1st round, this means he almost never find great players in draft. in general his drafts are average nothing more
3. packers do not get rid of busts. they keep them at least 3 yrs if they are top-mid picks
all that said FA should be crucial to packers because we lack talent, especially game changers.
so gute failed, again.
but do not forget packers have 3 man running the sports operations, murphy, gute and ball. and mark murphy has the last word.
Razer
March 20, 2025 at 12:28 pm
Poor drafting and hanging on to Rodgers too long has made the Packers second tier on many fronts. The Aaron Banks signing is the direct result of not drafting/developing well. We pay a decent guard top dollar that should have been acquired through the draft. There are lots of good guards coming out of college but we like high RAS tackles that we can turn into project guards. If you want to pick players who were on weak college teams or misused at a position - great - but stop marginalizing the college record because a guy has nimble feet.
Most of our free agency signings seem to be covering for players that we missed on from the draft. Last year's secondary additions covered for repeated misses at safety. This year we are trying to cover weaknesses at corner because the guys that we drafted haven't panned out. The same is true of the interior of our O-line. There isn't enough money to address the lack of pass rush from our first round OLB/DE D-linemen.
Bottomline is that we will keep slipping back in the division unless Gutekunst does a better job in the draft. Yes there is urgency but free agency won't cover the problem.
GregC
March 20, 2025 at 01:14 pm
Couldn't you say that ANY team's free agent signings are made to cover for players they missed on in the draft? Are there teams who are drafting well at certain positions AND signing high-priced free agents at those positions? Or maybe they are not drafting at all at certain positions, as they plan on filling them through free agency? Hard to believe.
Razer
March 20, 2025 at 02:06 pm
Adding more veteran talent to solidify a position is a good thing. Having to add free agents to build your secondary because nobody you drafted is making a difference is our scenario. Free agency is an expensive way to cover poor drafting. To our credit, our pro scouting department is doing a good job in identifying pro talent.
GregC
March 21, 2025 at 09:51 am
Both of the Packers big free agent additions are examples of adding veteran talent to solidify positions. Both of them are going to be starting ahead of players who have already started and who have actually played pretty well.
LambeauPlain
March 20, 2025 at 01:48 pm
Yet all this "poor drafting" has the Packers this offseason needing to replace 7 players. The bares, lions and ugly purple had to replace between 17-20 players.
Gutey has replaced two of those seven. The "poor drafting" commences at Lambeau next month.
I believe the roster is in rather good shape. Should get better post draft.
Razer
March 20, 2025 at 02:16 pm
Having the youngest roster in the league contributes to "the need to replace players". We aren't overly talented at corner, LB, D-line, O-line or even WR/TE so there is a need to upgrade these player groups. I don't know how that reconciles with Gutekunst's comments about urgency but next year when we have to pay our tackles we will won't have much CAP to cover the persistent talent gaps.
greengold
March 21, 2025 at 09:42 am
True. I know we really suffered through the AR debacle and cap contortions, and felt the effects of that by having to load young talent, making the Packers the "youngest team in the NFL," for what? The 3rd year in a row?
I agree Gutekunst will continue to add more targeted talents at roster cuts from other teams, etc. He has to balance the scales, adding vets who have been there or very close to the prize, and want the rings.
Veteran leadership additions will be HUGE for this Packers team.
Philly won the SB with a great mix of young and veteran talents. Guys who could mentor those who needed it to make their team better, and win a SB. The Eagles SB winning roster included 14 players with 7 or more years experience. The Packers had 4. One was Jaire, who had zero impact. Andre Dillard was another. Meanwhile, Elgton Jenkins and Kenny Clark took nose dives in their level of play. We had 2 veterans who impacted the 2024 season's play, and both showed regression, which is not good.
PHI drafted better too, and, after studying how they built that roster, they were extremely active in trades, both for players and picks. They swung a TON of deals to take and sign exactly who they wanted. Studying that roster build was really something worthwhile if you dig that much personnel side shizz.
GB's hands were somewhat tied with all the dead cap it had to unload over a two year or more span, and I think that might have bit us more than we know. My thinking is Gutekunst made stellar additions with Jacobs and McKinney last year, and I think he's been very measured with this year's FA adds, while holding onto the draft capital he has.
I could easily see him trade out of the 23 for more bites at the apple.
Thegreatreynoldo
March 23, 2025 at 02:59 am
The 2026 cap problem:
$36.15M - Jordan Love
$31.36M - Kenny Clark
$28.01M - Rashan Gary
$27.37M - Jaire Alexander
$24.85M - Aaron Banks
$24.80M - Elgton Jenkins
$172.54M Subtotal
Problem: Of these 6 players, I only want two of them at those prices. Elgton Jenkins is due $20M cash in 2026 and has $20M in cap savings - he'd better be vying to be the best center in the NFL at that cost.
$19.10M - McKinney
$14.62M - Jacobs
$13.05M - Hobbs
$219.31M Total
At least I want all 3 of these guys at this price, though Hobbs should really be a TBD until we see how he looks in Hafley's scheme.
2026 UFAs: (9 main ones)
Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, Sean Rhyan, Romeo Doubs, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, Christian Watson, Enagbare, and Malik Willis.
I've got Tom's fair market value at $23M and Rasheed's at $18M to $20M per year. Rhyan is $8M to $10M, maybe more, Doubs is $12M to $14M, and I think Watson should be cheap depending on when he returns and how he plays. Enagbare should be cheap and Willis depends on whether he gets to play some meaningful snaps.
I don't know what I would want to pay Quay or Wyatt. Quay's 5th year option is $14.75M and Wyatt's is estimated at $13.922M. 5th yr Options are all guaranteed. I don't see where $27M in cap numbers fits into the structure.
2026 RFAs (10 !!!!!)
Whelan, Brenton Cox (who I hope needs a first round tender), Emmanuel Wilson/Chris Brooks, Bo Melton, Arron Mosby, and Malik Heath.
1st round tender: $7.9M; 2nd is $5.6M, Original round/rt. of first refusal is $3.4M.
GB can wait to see how well these guys perform. In fact, with some of them they might they have to wait since they can't be extended now.
Indeed, all opinions expressed are subject to change based on how these players perform in 2025.
WD
March 20, 2025 at 12:36 pm
Last I checked the Packers have had one of the best winning records in the modern era. Gute is in complete command of personnel decisions. Judging from the record he has don a fantastic job. Sure he takes a lot of heat and criticism. Mostly unwarranted I would add. He has all the data including far more than pundits or us experts here on Cheesehead. I have criticized plenty but I realize as a fan I never can get the big picture.
To call Gute a failure is grossly exaggerated. We are consistently in the playoffs. Ya...I know it has been awhile since we have won a Super Bowl. Like always, I bitch and moan if he doesn't take the exact player I want him too in free agency or in the draft. But c'mon. You can't really know how a player will be until the second or third year. Free agency isn't fully over yet and we haven't even started the draft. I trust and have faith in Gute as I wish him good hunting in the draft.
the_gavia_pass
March 20, 2025 at 02:42 pm
SB counts.
the north or wild card are not in the vince lombardi/bob harlan roots.
murphy is the genius that considers SB just an option
Leatherhead
March 20, 2025 at 04:47 pm
WD, I agree. Wolf,Sherman, Thompson, Gutekunst. We all know that Sherman was out of his league, but Gutekunst is a product of the Packers personnel system. He knows his stuff. I think he's doing a real solid job and he's not making big mistakes. I think he's an asset.
Most 22 year-olds get stronger and smarter over the next couple of years. Why should football players be any different? We shouldn't be so quick.
Look at Josh Sweat, and look what he did, and compare that to VanNess so far.
LambeauPlain
March 20, 2025 at 02:00 pm
Teams that hire several Free Agents during an offseason have an added difficult and important task: getting the new, mostly expensive recruits assimilated into their new team, playbooks, roles, fit and culture. Doesn't always go smooth (Marty Bennett).
And if they do not "fit", too often they still start, given their price tags...and exacerbate the issue.
The Packers return most of their roster.
Morgan, Lloyd, Hopper, & Oladapo all have nice upside too as mostly "new" talents.
the_gavia_pass
March 20, 2025 at 02:40 pm
so that is why the eagles failed again...hiring several free agents in offseason made them so bad
the_gavia_pass
March 20, 2025 at 02:56 pm
remember this.
bob harlan separated football operations from business after decades of confusion and failure.
the harlan's system led to 3 SB and 2 rings.
then mr murphy changed that and now russ ball, gute and lafleuer report directly to murphy.
this strange structure led to ZERO SB, great confusion in the QB management with a very bad management of the Rodgers contract and an even worse draft 2020 with gute trading up for a QB with not a call or sms to Rodgers.
that's reality, something packers media never tell, except for bob mcginn that years ago wrote murphy was taking a big risk.
TKWorldWide
March 20, 2025 at 03:18 pm
Were there any players in this year’s FA crop that WARRANTED a big splash, high dollar contract? I thought not…
greengold
March 21, 2025 at 09:52 am
I felt the pickings were pretty slim. Thrilled with what Gutekunst has done thus far. He paid for a Guard to protect the franchise and maul for the other high investment he made on O in Josh Jacobs.
His other two additions can bring huge value to the team, at a relatively low cost. Just what we needed right now, with plenty of room to add more and take care of in-house extensions.
Good.
Major Snafu
March 20, 2025 at 04:06 pm
GB is a small market team lacking deep pocket owners who allow cleaver accounting methods.
They back fill contacts and push big money forward often trading away big contracts with good players when the piper is due to get paid..
Gutt knows who his bosses are and they expect cheap ball. making money is paramount. So is saving a buck.
I remember Ketchum the sports analyst from Milwaukee saying in his column when being ask about the 3-4, 'its cheap ball'. Top DE's that you need for a successful 4-3 defense command too much money and the Packers won't spend it'..
The 3-4 allows you to rush with linebackers who costs less.
The point, money matters to the Packers and decisions on top free agents is controlled by that. Thus your not getting any of those prime people available. Hey want big bucks.
LeotisHarris
March 20, 2025 at 04:19 pm
"GB is a small market team lacking deep pocket owners who allow cleaver accounting methods."
Is that why the Cowboys and Panthers have been dominating the last 20 years? And WTF do large kitchen tools have to do with accounting?
Shared broadcast revenue and the salary cap make market size irrelevant. The remainder of your poorly-written drivel is just plain stupid.
Leatherhead
March 20, 2025 at 04:28 pm
Nobody knows cleavers like meat packers. And Eddie Haskell.
LeotisHarris
March 20, 2025 at 05:50 pm
You've been thinking about the Beaver, haven't you?
TKWorldWide
March 21, 2025 at 04:35 pm
Ward was awfully hard on the Beaver last night…(according to June; leave me (or CLEAVE me) out of it!)
greengold
March 21, 2025 at 09:58 am
That's just BS. The Packers spent big time, for too long (last 3 AR seasons), and have come out on the other side relatively unscathed (thank you, NYJ!!!), with a promising load of talent on board.
Amazing, considering their high risk cap circus they ran for 12...
TKWorldWide
March 21, 2025 at 04:36 pm
Besides, 4-3 DEs and 3-4 OLBs are all paid as “edge rushers” nowadays anyhow.
Alberta_Packer
March 20, 2025 at 06:05 pm
"This season, Gutekunst has plenty of cap room, but he hasn’t found players he feels are both worth paying for and are good fits for the Packers. "
Well Gutekunst has just paid an awful lot for chopped liver. GB who is currently ranked 17th in Spending By Team this Free Agency - has also committed more in Contracts Value than Detroit, KC and Philadephia - with GB ranking 11th in this category..
HarryHodag
March 21, 2025 at 11:44 am
I checked Sportrac and it appears the Packers have about $16 million in cap space, about midway among all 32 teams. They need to save some money to do the Zach Tom deal which could be a whopper plus rookies.
Often forgotten is the impact of the massive contracts given Aaron Rodgers and David Bakhtiari among others and the impact those contracts have had on the current roster. They also cut Preston Smith with a dead cap hit of $9 million and DeVondre Campbell with a $7 million hit. You must consider that before you go off on Gute and his free agent signings. Rodgers and David B. deals are now past but they held the team down from chasing expensive free agents. Jordan Love, J. Alexander and a couple others are weighing down the salary cap now but are within the range of other NFL position deals.
If the Packers had dealt the disgruntled Rodgers to Denver(along with his contract prior to the last one) and realized David B. was never going to recover and let him go, they would have had a much better cap position.
They're now just coming out of the fiscal swamp but the criticism that Gute hasn't spent money on free agents is wrong, lest you forget the four major players signed in the last two years.
The Packers are victims of their own success, not being able to draft turnabout talent by drafting low each year.