Free Agency: Playing Chess Not Checkers
A dive into the key Green Bay signings and what could happen next.
The 2025 free agent frenzy, aka the first day of “legal tampering", concluded with two key additions for the Green Bay Packers. The ramifications of these signings come with with goals of bolstering the offensive line and strengthening Jeff Hafley’s already stout defense. Let’s get to know the new key additions joining cheesehead nation.
Welcome to Titletown.
Money money money for Aaron Banks as Green Bay made him the 6th highest paid guard in the NFL with a 4 year $77 million contract. The logic of the signing makes complete sense with C Josh Myers out of the picture and how vulnerable the offensive line looked in the NFC wildcard game against the Eagles. Protection for Jordan Love should be a priority and Banks allowed only one sack in 2024 while showing vast improvement in his run blocking abilities.
Banks played 13 of 17 games last season missing time due to a concussion and a season-ending MCL injury, which raises an eyebrow of concern. However, he is only 28 years old with experience in high-stake games playing for a 49ers team that made the Super Bowl a couple years ago. He also brings knowledge playing alongside future hall of famer Trent Williams, who has raved about Banks’ game, and that will be beneficial when joining this already proven Packers offensive line. It is likely either Elgton Jenkins or Zach Tom will fill in at the center position and expect last year’s first-round pick Jordan Morgan to get meaningful snaps in 2025. Banks’ addition at the left guard position is a recipe for success.
One of the main priorities this offseason for the Packers was to address the cornerback position. With the signing of Nate Hobbs to a 4 year $48 million contract, this gives Green Bay another level of flexibility with defensive matchups while adding another fun shiny object for DC Hafley in the secondary.
Hobbs is a versatile cornerback, meaning he can be utilized as a slot corner on certain passing downs but also can be assigned to defend certain receivers depending on the matchup. He also has solid instincts when stopping the run and can be a ball hawk at the line of scrimmage when defending the short yard plays. Green Bay’s defense can really play chess with their opponents using Hobbs as a key piece to wreak havoc and enhance what was already a turnover creating machine.
Similar to the Banks signing, the biggest concern for Hobbs is his availability. In his last three seasons, he has played at most 13 games including 11 last season due to an ankle injury. A change of scenery is always a good way for a player to rejuvenate and the Packers have had a positive history of reinventing banged up Raiders players turning them into positive assets. At only 25 years old, Hobbs has that upside potential while being described as “the key that unlocks the defense.” Have fun, Hafley!
Although we have come to the end of the road... maybe?
The Packers said goodbye to DT TJ Slaton who signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. Slaton was a key contributor to stopping the run as this loss emphasizes even more that Green Bay needs to improve the defense line. With all the big name free agents finding a home in day one, it appears the Packers will need to prioritize the front four in the draft or make one hell of a trade (Trey Hendrickson, please football Gods). Former Green Bay captain DE Za’Darius Smith remains available (just kidding, he should retire since he finally got his “ring” with Detroit). What about Jaire Alexander? GM Brian Gutekunst made it clear that they are not moving the all-pro CB at this point in time. Stay patient cheesehead nation.
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Mitchell Adams is a passionate lifelong Packer fan bringing a unique West Coast perspective, and also produces multiple podcast platforms, is a published author, and a proud Packers shareholder. Follow him on X at @mitchadams209.
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Comments (58)
Guam
March 11, 2025 at 03:19 pm
I was a little surprised at the price tag for Banks but everything I can find on the guy says he is a solid LG. That will help both Love and Jacobs have more productive seasons next year. I would love to know the Packer comparatives between Hobbs, Adebo and Murphy. Clearly the Packers preferred Hobbs so I will trust the professionals.
Gute has plugged two of the holes but more work remains. The Packers still have needs at WR, DT, reserve OL and CB (unless they keep Alexander). Time for the draftniks...........
NickPerry
March 11, 2025 at 04:35 pm
Banks was a total overpay by the Packers. Time will tell but at this time it looks pretty pricey.
PeteK
March 11, 2025 at 06:35 pm
It's all about the guaranteed money.
Bitternotsour
March 11, 2025 at 07:22 pm
it was a market rate deal, not an overpay. he's not a security guard; he's a left guard in the NFL.
stockholder
March 11, 2025 at 07:57 pm
Over the last three seasons with the 49ers,
Banks allowed only three sacks and 16 quarterback hits,
including just a single sack over the last two seasons.
Banks did have his best professional season
by overall grade (65.4), run-blocking grade in 2024.
I normally hate what Gute does.
But after Jenkins left with a stinger w/eagles.
20 mil isn't a problem, when you consider the market.
And the failures along the OL last year.
jannesbjornson
March 12, 2025 at 08:16 am
A better choice than Fries. Maybe some badass will rub off on the line? Hobbs?
Coldworld
March 12, 2025 at 08:46 am
I think the thing about Banks is not only that he’s been a good pass protector but that his best attribute has been the run game. We are now a team that runs and that running is led by a between the tackles RB. Seems like we wanted not just a genuine starter, but one geared to our new ground offense.
dblbogey
March 11, 2025 at 08:29 pm
Which is it, an overpay, or time will tell?
LambeauPlain
March 12, 2025 at 07:23 am
Not an overpay due to cap hits the next two years. The K is backloaded and will have less an impact even then as the cap will likely continue to grow...maybe even swell as it did this year.
Unlike other NFL team, the Packers only financial discipline, as long as their balance sheet remains strong, is manage the cap $.
Both Banks and Hobbs have manageable, backloaded deals.
Still have plenty of cap to add another FA or two for quality depth and extend their Tom...which they need to do. Pay Tom Tackle money now...even if he plays C in 2025. Young man can not only play RT & C...he can play the other 3 spots too.
Coldworld
March 12, 2025 at 08:55 am
When injuries hit us in the playoffs, Tom stayed where he was. Jenkins and Rhyan seem more likely to be C before him to me. Admittedly, that can change between seasons, but right now it seems unlikely unless Morgan has a stellar summer and forces his way into the starting line up as a T (either at right or making displacing Walker there seem the best option.
I consider that unlikely though as Morgan is better on the left historically and Tom is a better T in the run game than either Morgan or Walker have currently suggested that they would be and Walker is actually a pretty decent LT. Moreover, we now have depth on the IOL with at least 2 who seem able to play C. My guess is Tom stays at T and Rhyan or most likely Jenkins are C with Rhyan as depth if all are healthy this year.
the_gavia_pass
March 11, 2025 at 04:09 pm
I remember the good old time (few days ago) when you were talking about green bay making a splash in FA and coming back to the Reggie White era signing Crosby or Garrett or Metcalf....
All people were saying...this is gutey's year!!!
NOW people is trying to make great 2 average players greatly overpaid :)
and suddendly crosby garrett dreams disappeared.......
gutey failed. that is the truth.
or...he just did what murphy asked him...no risks...no picks traded...we do not need too much...just some good move to make sure we'll have a good season...SB is not our goal
JerseyAl
March 11, 2025 at 06:11 pm
"SB is not our goal"
Sorry, but this is beyond dumb. The goal of any team in any sport is the same - winning it all. You think they don't want the glory? The media attention? the new fans that will come/ The additional revenue?
How anyone can think this is just ridiculous.
GreenAndGold_1963
March 11, 2025 at 06:54 pm
The status quo is ridiculous. Mediocrity is ridiculous. The reality of what he is saying is they don’t really care. Either they don’t care or they simply can’t get it done either way it’s unacceptable
GregC
March 11, 2025 at 07:06 pm
Yes, because it's easy to win Super Bowls.
Packerpasty
March 11, 2025 at 07:31 pm
not with the Packers roster it isn't....
JerseyAl
March 11, 2025 at 08:01 pm
You can criticize moves and results, but to say they don't really care is just insanity. If you believe that, you just don't get sports.
dblbogey
March 11, 2025 at 08:31 pm
Extra ridiculous comment.
GreenAndGold_1963
March 11, 2025 at 08:32 pm
Actually we just think that they (Gute, MlF, and MM) are not good enough at their job to even compete on a serious level with the Super Bowl contenders.
JerseyAl
March 11, 2025 at 08:54 pm
Well, that's an opinion and I have no problem with that. but "they don't care about winning a Super Bowl" will trigger me every time because it's idiotic. And the same was said during the Thompson years ad nauseum. So I guess whoever "we" is believes the team with the most NFL championships in NFL history don't care about winning another one? Does that not sound ridiculous?
the_gavia_pass
March 12, 2025 at 03:08 am
MR Al Jersey you should know all mark murphy media interviews and he clearly said his FIRST goal is not having bad seasons because they are very bad for the income. HE CLEARLY SAID more times the most important thing is STABILITY having winning seasons and post season. SB is not the main goal.
LambeauPlain
March 12, 2025 at 07:32 am
Not having bad seasons and while simultaneously owning the goal to win a SB are not mutually exclusive. How do you arrive at this either or narrative?
With this logic, the Packers need to have bad seasons so they can win a SB? You mean like the lions...until even they shed that "logic" a few years ago?
JerseyAl
March 12, 2025 at 08:07 am
Wow. As far as I know, having winning seasons and making it to the postseason means you always have a chance at the Super Bowl. I think your interpretation of his words are meant to fit your narrative. So, there isn't much else I can say...
the_gavia_pass
March 12, 2025 at 08:52 am
may be you never played some team sport or never worked in big organizations.
because the mentality starts from the top.
you can see the SB hunger in rams and eagles organizations, they try everything to win it.
not the same in green bay.
ted thompson from may to february was sitting and watching.
gutekunst is a little more active but had small moves.
they never took big risks.
the only splash was with rodgers in 2021 because they wanted to get rid of him in 2020 and he had back to back mvp seasons. so they get lost and he destroyed them with that big contract.
Leatherhead
March 12, 2025 at 12:53 pm
First, you have to make the playoffs. That means winning enough games in the 17 game season to make the playoffs. That means you have to have a team on the field that can do that. You have to keep the contracts managed, you have to keep an eye on the future.
Don't care? Seriously?
When the regular season starts, the GOAL is to make the playoffs. If you make the playoffs, then the Super Bowl is the goal. That starts with advancing past the first round.
It's not like our goal is to get to the Super Bowl. There's a lot of other goals that have to be met before that's even a realistic goal.
Alberta_Packer
March 11, 2025 at 05:14 pm
With the salary cap for NFL teams going up 25M this year - it was predicatble that a pack of GMs would spend incautiously - thus driving-up prices. Typically, people are prone to be more reckless when using opm (other peoples money). Although I would say that the Packers may be the best capital managers in the League.
As to what lies next for the Packers? Perhaps another free agent signing - just at the lower tier. Also determining what salvage value (if any) remains for Alexander. Then The Draft. I thought that I might gain more clarity on Gutekunst's draft sequence/priorities after the acquisitions of Banks and Hobbs. However similar to the Packers free agency outcomes - I see more "unexpected" than "expected" in the upcoming Draft. Though I fully expect Gutekunst to try and acquire another 2-3 draft picks.
PeteK
March 11, 2025 at 06:39 pm
Also, plenty of money to sign in season needs and next year to sign our own FAs.
the_gavia_pass
March 12, 2025 at 03:13 am
rams and eagles showed you need to be aggressive to win SB.
bob harlan was aggressive, he made the first big FA signing in nfl history. and he won. and also SB 2010 was all on bob harlan, murphy had not enough time to ruin harlan work.
rams traded everything, multiple 1st rounds, spent big money on veterans and won SB and now they still have a contender roster much better than our.
our management is average but most important the do not try everything for SB, they just want good seasons.
GregC
March 11, 2025 at 06:12 pm
Depending on which source I'm reading, Aaron Banks either had a really good season in 2024 or a really bad season. There doesn't seem to be any in-between. Goes to show how hard it is to judge the performance of interior O-linemen. No wonder so many people swear by the PFF rating, which at least pretends to be objective even though nobody knows how they come up with their numbers.
Let's not give Banks an extra year on his age. He doesn't turn 28 until September 3rd.
And I wouldn't call Nate Hobbs a ball hawk. He's had 3 interceptions in 4 years, and he's played quite a lot.
I don't like seeing TJ Slaton leave. I don't think run-stuffing DTs are easy to find, at least not on his level. Sure, they can get by without him. I just don't think it's ideal.
Oh by the way, I heard that the NFL is now calling the "legal tampering" period the "negotiation period." It sounds clunky, but at least it doesn't hurt my head.
Alberta_Packer
March 11, 2025 at 06:36 pm
I will defer to whatever the Packers scouting report is on Banks.
Noteworthy detail on Banks being 27. Because Gutekunst has never offered a 4 year contract to a free agent unless they were 27 and under.
Yes - there were very few run-stuffing DTs in this year's free agent class. However, there are a good number of them in the upcoming draft.
"legal tampering" - "negotiation period" - "sanitized cheating" ... whatever.
Packerpasty
March 11, 2025 at 07:33 pm
playing next to Trent Williams certainly can make a guy look good...and Hobbs is no game changer..
Coldworld
March 12, 2025 at 09:22 am
Banks is a good starter, not a great one. He’s decent in pass protection. He is not going to get overpowered but he can be undone by elite speed/agility. He’s hard to move backwards. In the run game however, he has been very good. That is something we’ve not had in an otherwise good IOL man.
Jenkins last year was better in protection than the run game in most games and Rhyan up and down from game to game. Banks has a pretty consistent record of being a plus in the running game. Jacobs should benefit from this move and, if he does, the price will have been worth paying.
Bitternotsour
March 12, 2025 at 09:49 am
he's also schooled in SF run blocking, which is the best possible school. Say what you will about the Shanahan's, they have the best run scheme in football without question. The Shanahan zbs is the gold standard.
GreenAndGold_1963
March 11, 2025 at 06:59 pm
I don’t think Gute can get GB over the hump, it’s make or break year for him and MLF. After all it’s his team now, he did it his way. Everyone says in Gute we trust…. I ask why??? Win a SB then we will trust.
GregC
March 11, 2025 at 07:17 pm
Eric Stokes signs with Raiders--one year, $4 million. Backup money.
KenEllis
March 11, 2025 at 07:42 pm
Stokes, Savage, Van Ness ... the 1st round defensive failures are starting to stack up.
GregC
March 11, 2025 at 08:22 pm
And yet we had the #6 defense in the league last year, which makes it a lot easier to take. A defense that has only three players who most fans think are worth a darn: Edgerrin Cooper, Xavier McKinney, and Evan Williams. I can only conclude that most of the other players are better than people think. The coaches seem to be doing a nice job too.
Bitternotsour
March 11, 2025 at 08:28 pm
it's a mystery, right?
the_gavia_pass
March 12, 2025 at 03:17 am
we had a vary easy schedule the last 2 years. this year thing are going to change.
vs good teams and in crucial times our D collapsed
Leatherhead
March 11, 2025 at 08:49 pm
I think we have different definitions for failures.
Savage, for example, played over 4000 snaps and had hundreds of tackles. He had pretty good availability. I don't think that's a failure. A failure is like Bruce Clark, or Rich Campbell, or Jamal Reynolds, or Justin Harrell.
Van Ness is 23. Compare what he did his first two seasons with a guy like Josh Sweat. who just signed for $19M/year. Or Aaron Kampmann, who had 2.5 sacks total in his first two years. This is a clear case of premature evaluation.
Stokes was good his rookie year, then was hurt for the next two years. He managed to stay available this year. He didn't play in the playoffs. I'm going to be generous here and say that he avoided hard contact, but I think that of the examples you mentioned, he's probably the closest to a failure, considering his total productivity over 4 years. But it's an injury related failure as much as anything.
LambeauPlain
March 12, 2025 at 08:00 am
"This is a clear case of premature evaluation." That's funny and accurate, LH!
Stokes' 4.3 speed and man coverage skills were wrecked by injury and Barry playing him to his weaknesses in heavy zone when he did play.
Van Ness was a bull rusher at IA and Rebrovich didn't develop his pass rush ability. But he is far from a bust. Let's see what Covington can teach the elite athlete.
Savage is a bust because he wasn't a perennial All Pro, it seems to some. He was a good player...not great. Par for the course. Most 1st rounders do not end up being great.
Coldworld
March 12, 2025 at 09:38 am
Stokes was a guy whose career was possibly set in terminal decline by a very bad injury, compounded by a shift to a style of D he was never good at. He may recover somewhat, but it’s not guaranteed. Injuries happen.
Savage went downhill under Barry. I don’t know how much of that was him—he wasn’t good last year, but Barry’s use of safeties was always dubious. Amos also fell off a cliff and no one blossomed.
Van Ness needs to realize he is not succeeding, but also has he been well coached? While player drive to improve and realization of the need is critical, coaches are there to get the best out of players. We just decided his didn’t since we fired him.
A big off season for Van Ness and hopefully one where he has a coach planting the right seeds in his mind effectively. At the moment I consider him a potential bust as he was drafted on upside and hasn’t shown meaningful growth in approach or outcomes. Picking high ceiling lower floor players always comes with elevated risk as well as a greater payoff if the player reaches it.
Bitternotsour
March 12, 2025 at 10:01 am
A fine point I admit, but Stokes injury troubles curtailed his career, ruined his amazing speed. that is not the case with Jaire Alexander. His injuries are nagging, not career affecting. I still have a very tough time seeing him leaving for anything other than significant draft capital.
Packerpasty
March 11, 2025 at 07:34 pm
yawn...nothing to get excited about in Titletown..at least yet..
harleycops
March 11, 2025 at 11:37 pm
Not to mention Jordan, the '24 round 1 pick.
GreenAndGold_1963
March 11, 2025 at 08:28 pm
Just how long are we supposed to trust Gutes plan? Just wondering??? 🤷🤷🤷.
I hope he proves me wrong, but it looks like another year of no difference makers in FA. If you’re not getting better then you’re getting worse.
Have you seen next year’s schedule???
dblbogey
March 11, 2025 at 08:38 pm
"Another year of no difference makers in FA" -Yes, you have to go all the way back to 2024 to find difference makers in free agency, like Josh Jacobs and McKinney,.
Leatherhead
March 11, 2025 at 08:53 pm
Well, we've been in the playoffs 5 out of 6 years. We've transitioned from an old HOF QB to a younger guy with a big upside while simultaneously winning more games than just about anybody.
A difference maker? Did Maxx Crosby make a difference for the Raiduhs last year? Garrett?
You want to know what a difference maker is? It's the long snapper who gets over run and a punt gets blocked. It's Kenny King in the endzone. It's Brian Bostick.
LeotisHarris
March 11, 2025 at 09:06 pm
"Just how long are we supposed to trust Gutes plan? Just wondering??? "
I'm not aware of any mandates or guidance from Big Football regarding trust of BG and/or his plan. I guess that's a question you have to answer for yourself. You can be patient and enjoy football and playful banter with your fellow fans on CHTV, or you can troll, spew cliches, call for firings, and insult the integrity of men who have been successful at the highest levels of professional sports.
"Have you seen next year's schedule???'
Yes, looks like our North Division games, AFC North and NFC East, with the Broncos, Cards, and Panthers. You askeerd?
Since'61
March 11, 2025 at 09:14 pm
I think the Packers have added 2 good players in Banks and Hobbs. I also think that the Packers overpaid for both but given the salary cap increase and the way teams are throwing money around I'm not surprised. Plus it's only money.
Banks can solidify the Packers IOL. I think the Packers will move Jenkins to LT, Banks at LG, Zack Tom to Center, Rhyan at RG and Walker or Morgan at RT with the other as a swing backup Tackle.
it's wait and see how they choose to utilize Hobbs. But at least with Hobbs the Packers can hopefully retain Alexander and they don't necessarily need to select a CB with an early round draft pick. They can focus their early picks on WR and DL. Plenty of moves yet to come. GPG! Thanks, Since '61
LambeauPlain
March 12, 2025 at 08:15 am
Interesting OL thoughts. When have LaFleur, Stenovich and Butkus ever shuffled 4 of 5 OL starters into new positions? Even if it makes sense, it is highly unlikely. They are more status quo coaches.
The IOL will change with Myers gone. I believe Tom is a dark horse for C (I'd like him there!) but likely to stay at RT. Morgan may again compete with Rhyan. If he does, I expect he will win it.
Expect Walker will get competition too during his last K year...maybe from Morgan.
Expect a prospect will be drafted by the 4th round as well.
jannesbjornson
March 12, 2025 at 08:20 am
I would still bag at least two CBs. One from the rounds one-two.
harleycops
March 11, 2025 at 11:38 pm
Another LB/DE flies by: Joey Bosa to the Bills. The rich get richer..........and the Packers stay dormant!
TXCHEESE
March 12, 2025 at 08:22 am
Bosa? Dude is made of glass. He might play 12 games next season.
Coldworld
March 12, 2025 at 09:01 am
He said he wanted to play with his brother and now will.
WD
March 12, 2025 at 07:01 am
Give an A for the Hobbes pickup. But,only a B for Banks because of the extremely high price tag.
It is still early and still several weeks before the draft. I am (as usual) delusional with optimism but we have definitely strengthened the OL and the secondary with the moves. Go Pack!
Coldworld
March 12, 2025 at 09:55 am
We have seen Gute go for two players with specific attributes as opposed to truly elite performance. If he is right, one elevates our pocket stability and run game and the other adds depth at slot and a corner who is both physical and athletically suited to the coverages Hafley calls a lot.
It remains to be seen if those two players deliver as hoped, but at least it’s clear Gute had accepted a need to upgrade areas we have struggled with through their apparent attributes. What my concern is now is whether he sees the same types of need at DT and DE. His comments post season seemed much more sanguine about the rush and DL group generally than I am.
Our rush seems extremely one dimensional and I see little depth in terms of threat. We are ponies with very limited tricks and very similar ones. If we don’t break out of that, I don’t think our rush improves significantly, inside or out. We also lost our best run D DT in FA. We are heavy outside and light in at this point (remember Kenny is slimed down from his draft weight).
If we are serious, I believe the biggest test for Gute going forward is whether he sees these DL needs and makes a serious attempt to remedy them. That’s going to be the major test of the draft and key to improvement for me (and I’m not forgetting the need to address WR). Is Gute seeing the issue, is he too complacent?
Packerpasty
March 12, 2025 at 06:34 pm
if he's complacent then its a real possibility that the Packers could end up in last place in the division, especially if Love doesnt show any growth..
the_gavia_pass
March 12, 2025 at 12:42 pm
the best analyst in the packers world, zach kruse, wrote the only good article on banks and hobbs signings.
basically gute is trying to revocer from a bad 2021 draft overpaying 2 average players