GREEN BAY, Wis. — Fresh off celebrating his 33rd birthday last month, Javon Hargrave is the newest member of the Green Bay Packers.
The 6'2", 307-pound defensive tackle signed a two-year deal with the Packers on Wednesday worth $23 million dollars, including $13 million in the first year of the deal. After one season with the Minnesota Vikings, Hargrave was officially released by the team at the start of the new league year.
It didn't take long for Hargrave to find a new home, and the Packers perhaps may have been the most obvious destination. They have a dire need along the defensive line after trading nose tackle Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for linebacker Zaire Franklin over the weekend. They have former first-round pick Devonte Wyatt in the fold, however, he's coming off a significant lower-leg injury that ended his season in 2025.
Hargrave will slot in perfectly—he'll also be reunited with Jonathan Gannon, who was hired as the Packers' new defensive coordinator earlier this year.
Javon Hargrave enjoyed the best years of his career under Jonathan Gannon in Philadelphia. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
A former third-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hargrave spent four years under Mike Tomlin before signing a three-year deal with the Eagles in the spring of 2020. While in Philadelphia, he spent two of his three seasons there playing under Gannon before he left to become the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Hargrave, meanwhile, signed a four-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.
Hargrave only remained in the bay for two years before being released. A torn triceps ended his 2024 campaign after just three games, but up to that point, Hargrave was the epitome of durability. Across the first eight years of his career, Hargrave missed just four games.
He finished the season with just 31 pressures, which was his lowest mark since 2018, not including his injury-shortened season with the 49ers.
Javon Hargrave sacks Aaron Rodgers in a game against the Packers on Nov. 27, 2022. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
The Packers are clearly hoping that Gannon could help Hargrave return to the same disruptive presence that he was when the pair were together in Philadelphia. In both seasons playing under Gannon, Hargrave earned Pro Bowl honors and racked up 18.5 sacks in addition to a whopping 129 pressures.
Because Hargrave was released by the Vikings, his signing would impact the Packers' compensatory formula for 2027. He's a true street free agent who immediately becomes the favorite to start at nose tackle for the Packers in 2026. Even with the addition of Hargrave, they may need to continue throwing resources at the defensive line to really fortify their depth. Nazir Stackhouse, Warren Brinson, Karl Brooks and Jonathan Ford are the only other defensive linemen on the roster.
The Packers are still expected to receive an onslaught of compensatory picks next year for the departures of quarterback Malik Willis, linebacker Quay Walker, wide receiver Romeo Doubs and offensive tackle Rasheed Walker, who has yet to sign elsewhere. Willis signed with the Miami Dolphins, Walker signed with the Las Vegas Raiders and Doubs ventured out east to sign with the New England Patriots. The Packers also received a fourth-round pick for next year in their trade with the Dallas Cowboys for defensive end Rashan Gary.
Zachary Jacobson is the Editor-in-Chief of Packer Report. He is entering his 12th season covering theGreen Bay Packers. He is a member of thePro Football Writers of America. Follow him on Twitter@zacobson or contact him via email atitszachariahj@gmail.com