The Packers have spent a fair bit on free agents that might not have been on anybody’s wish list.
College basketball great John Wooden once said “never mistake activity for achievement.” I don’t know what the Packers have achieved so far this offseason, but at least they’re doing something.
Or trying to, at least. Even if their free agent moves so far this offseason don’t appear to hit obvious needs, there’s a logic to them. Signing Aaron Banks gives the Packers important depth on the offensive line — which turned out to be a huge problem in the playoffs. Signing Nate Hobbs gives the Packers another option at cornerback, even if he’s been only slightly healthier than Jaire Alexander. Bringing back Isaiah McDuffie gives the Packers some reliable linebacker depth and another special teams body. And re-signing Brandon McManus ensures the Packers’ solution at kicker sticks around for at least a couple of more seasons.
But I think you can be forgiven if the Packers’ signings also leave you a bit cold. They seemed a lot more interested in maintaining last year’s baseline than making moves that would represent some kind of step forward for the roster, and last year’s baseline didn’t really land the Packers among the league’s elite. There’s still a lot of offseason to go, but Brian Gutekunst is hanging a lot on this year’s draft — that’s his last remaining avenue to add any kind of difference-making talent.
Of course, it’s March. It’s hard to say what any team is going to be at this time of year, and a lot can change between now and September, anyway. The Packers could have traded for D.K. Metcalf, signed Davante Adams, and added the best edge rusher you can imagine in free agency, and if Jordan Love gets hit by a bus crossing Oneida Street during training camp, it would all be for nothing. There’s no telling what the Packers could be — good or bad — right now, even if things have been a little uninspiring so far.
Packers rank top 10 in free agent spending so far | Packers Wire
The Packers shelled out quite a bit for two guys that probably weren’t on anybody’s wish list, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be good moves.
Packers Tumble Out of Top 10 in NFL Power Rankings After Week 1 of Free Agency | Sports Illustrated
There isn’t much sillier than power rankings in March, but here we are nonetheless.
What’s left for Packers in free agency after modest first week? | The Athletic ($)
Anything out there yet for the Packers?
How Joe Burrow forced the Bengals to break the bank on new contracts for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins | CBS Sports
I don’t know if what the Bengals are doing is a good idea, but I’m still fascinated by it.
How to protect yourself from potential scams related to the 2025 NFL draft | Packers News
With a quarter million people descending on Green Bay, there are bound to be some bad actors at work.
1955 NFL Draft: Oral history – End of around-the-clock, marathon drafts | Packers.com
Official Packers historian Cliff Christl has been working through a series of oral histories about some old, old NFL Drafts, and I found this one particularly fascinating.
Bulgarian football club Arda Kardzhali apologise after holding minute’s silence for former player who is still alive | Sky News