Matt LaFleur head coach Green Bay Packers
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers reacts against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter in the game at Lambeau Field on September 11, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The Green Bay Packers‘ secondary was always going to be a major talking point of the offseason.
Whilst the two safeties and the nickel spots are tied up in the more than capable hands of Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams and Javon Bullard, the outside cornerbacks presented a noticeable weakness on the defense after it became clear that Nate Hobbs was not able to function well as a full-time defender on the outside.
Hobbs was subsequently released on Tuesday with a post-June 1 designation, implying that the Packers may be gearing up to make a splash move this offseason – given that the move pushes dead cap from 2026 into 2027 – and the team signed Benjamin St. Juste in a corresponding move.
There was talk that Green Bay could still pursue fellow boundary cornerback Riq Woolen, who was almost certain to come at higher price point than St. Juste and represented a high-upside, ultra talented, if occasionally inconsistent corner on the outside. Especially after he posted a rather cryptic social media message earlier in the day.
However, the Packers will seemingly not be adding the Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion to their cornerback room, as the former fifth round pick has agreed to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year deal worth as much as $15 million.
Packers Miss Out on Signing Riq Woolen
“Former Seahawks Pro-Bowl CB Riq Woolen reached agreement today on a one-year deal worth up to $15 million with the Philadelphia Eagles, per me and Jeremy Fowler. Agent Jason Chayut confirmed the deal.” Adam Schefter reported.
The Packers had reportedly been interested in signing Woolen and had been in contact with his representatives over the past couple of days. However, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman managed to make the more appealing offer and makes his first free agent signing of the offseason in style.
It is also not impossible that Green Bay’s interest started to cool after bringing St. Juste.
Not ones for over-stocking in free agency, particularly in the non-offensive or defensive line positions, it would figure that general manager Brian Gutekunst would have perhaps been reluctant to add further to a room that already had St. Juste, Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine as legitimate options, alongside any potential additions in what is considered to be a deep cornerback draft this coming April.
More to follow…