There was an expectation of more in Green Bay this NFL season. After missing out on the playoffs and posting a losing record in what would be Aaron Rodgers final season in Wisconsin, the Packers transition to the Jordan Love era seemed take a great start.
After going 9-8 during the 2023 regular season, good enough for an NFC Wildcard berth, the Packers upset the Dallas Cowboys to advance to the Divisional playoffs, only to fall to the San Francisco 49ers by a field goal. Although the loss was troubling, considering Green Bay held a 21-14 lead entering the final quarter, there was plenty to look forward to for the future. Or so it seemed.
Back-to-back losses to close out the 2024 regular season, including an NFC North battle with the Minnesota Vikings led the Cheeseheads to another Wildcard spot despite improving their record to 11-6. Unfortunately, the Packers would suffer a third straight loss, this time to the Philadelphia Eagles, ending a promising season prematurely.
So where do the Packers go from here? There are quality pieces in place, but clearly there is some tinkering that needs to be considered either by free agency, trade or the draft.
With the March free agency period just under two months away, there are a number of individuals that the Packers may want to roll the dice on. The offseason isn’t about temporarily patching a couple of holes, it’s about returning the green and yellow to the elite status they once held. Should the Packers be successful in adding the right pieces in the offseason they may very well see themselves on the cover of the 2025 Super Bowl betting guide rather than watching from the sidelines.
Tee Higgins – Wide Receiver
If General Manager Brian Gutekunst wants to make a big splash, finding a way to lure Tee Higgins away from Cincinnati and team him with Love is the way to go. Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Romeo Doubs showed some flash and value this year, but none are in the same conversation as Higgins.
Adding a primary target like Higgins would help the Packers’ offense in a number of ways, giving Love another option downfield, which also opens up space for running backs to operate.
Rico Dowdle – Running Back
It’s taken him four years to break through the depth chart as one of the Dallas Cowboys starters and Dowdle did not let the opportunity slip. Amassing 1,079 yards on 236 carries, Dowdle has earned himself a payday this offseason. After earning $1.25 million this season, Dowdle should easily command double that as a free agent.
With or without adding Higgins, should Dowdle be able to produce similar numbers next season, he would find himself slotted in as the Packers’ second option at running back with Josh Jacobs holding down top billing.
Will Fries – Left Guard
While the Packers’ offensive line has been a solid foundation for the team over the last few years, this season’s lack of depth was painfully obvious during the team’s Wildcard game loss to the Eagles.
The Packers could take a chance on Will Fries, who had just earned a full time starting role with the Indianapolis Colts last season and had continued to provide reliable and consistent pass protection and run blocking before his 2024 season came to an end with a fractured tibia. It might be worth kicking the tires on Fries, who will likely need the next six months to recover before hoping to return to the gridiron.
Bryon Murphy – Cornerback
Another intriguing free-agent option for the Packers is 26-year-old Murphy, who just posted a career-best tackles and interceptions while earning All-Pro status. Signed by the Minnesota Vikings two years ago, Murphy is a versatile defender who can provide both man and zone coverage and play inside or out of the slot.
Whether playing alongside Jaire Alexander or Keisean Nixon, Murphy could command a significant increase from his two-year, $17.5 million deal that he had signed with the Vikings in 2023 should they let him walk.
Dalvin Tomlinson – Defensive Tackle
The Packers tried twice to add some beef to their defensive line in 2020 but failed in their attempts to acquire the 6’3”, 325lb big man from the New York Giants. While his tackles per season have dropped each year since, Tomlinson did post a career-high in QB hits this past season.
With his ability to clog up running lanes, take on multiple blockers, and disrupt the pocket, adding Tomlinson to the interior line combination of Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary and/or Tedarrell Slaton would allow defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to mix up coverage schemes while matching up against high powered offenses.
How the Packers’ front office approaches the free agency market and spending will have to be done carefully in order to navigate salary cap constraints and roster structure. But if they are able to pull off adding an elite player on both sides of the field as well as a couple of components, the Packers could once again find themselves as serious contenders in the NFC and NFL playoffs in 2025.
The post Adding to the Pack – How Green Bay Can Improve Through Free Agency appeared first on Packernet’s View.