Now that things have calmed down, I thought I would use this week's post to go over the Packers' moves since the start of free agency and list them in what I think is their order of importance. I expect plenty of disagreement, so feel free to have at it in the comments. So here we go.
Ranking the Packers moves (best to worst).
Getting something useful for Rashan Gary - One has to assume the Packers were going to part ways with Gary regardless, but prying a 4th round pick (even if in 2027) from Jerry Jones instead of getting nothing is a big win. Not to mention not having to watch Gary jogging like he just didn't care. Maybe he already knew his time in Green Bay was ending.
Zaire Franklin in, Quay Walker out - Zaire brings some much needed experience and maturity to the defense. Quay Walker proved the hypothesis that athleticism isn't everything. For those badmouthing Franklin because of his poor 2025 season, I'm seeing a De'Vondre Campbell situation where he re-finds his "juice" and balls out with a new team that wanted him.
Sean Rhyan signing - It HAD to be done. The free agent center market was crazy (Lindenbaum) and then very meh after that. Rhyan was a known quantity and you couldn't count on a drafted rookie center to be NFL-starter ready.
Benjamin St-Juste in, Nate Hobbs out - St-Juste is a true boundary corner that found his groove last season, even if in a part-time role. Hobbs was a nickel corner asked to play outside and was a close second to Marshawn Lloyd for most annoyingly injured Packer in 2025.
Elgton Jenkins out - This isn't a move to celebrate, as Jenkins was a good player and a good Packer, but the money saved can be spread among several new players or extension.
Javon Hargrave in - I'd be more excited abou this if he was a run-stopper and not 33 years old, but if he can bring some inside pressure on passing downs, who am I to complain?
Brenton Cox Jr back - Gary and Enagbare are gone. Parsons is going to miss some games, Cox missed close to the entire season last year, but if he's healthy, he's an important rotational piece at Edge.
Nich Neiman back - Losing their best special teams performer when it looks like they may finally be trying to improve the operation of those teams would have been a bad look.
Skyy Moore - staying on the special teams theme, the Packers actually signed a real returner capable of handling punts and kickoffs? He probably should be ranked higher here but can we trust the Packers to keep him on the final 53 after they teased us with Mecole Hardman last year?
Darian Kinnard back - The OL depth is paper thin. Kinnard can fill in at guard or tackle, and the Packers had success using him as the 6th offensive lineman in their Jumbo package. I could be cynical and say the only way the Packers offensive line could open any holes for Josh Jacobs was to use an extra lineman, but I won't say that. Oh wait...
Chris Brooks back - I still find it curious that the Packers weren't willing to bring back Emanuel Wilson at a low cost (he got $2M from Seattle), but that being the case, a backup that doesn't get hurt every season was needed on the roster and they do love Brooks' pass protection capabilities.
Josh Whyle back - Whyle is no Luke Musgrave athletically, but I think he can match Musgrave and possibly surpass him in terms of his overall game day contributions.
Bo Melton back - He's the ultimate team player and LaFleur loves him, but is this the year the Packers finally have to let him go?
Kristian Welch signed - The Packers bring Welch in yet again. Will they cut him yet again?
Donovan Jennings back - Well, someone has to take that spot on the roster until they draft a couple of OL in April.
Jonathan Ford back - Someone had to take Colby Wooden's spot on the roster. At least for right now.
Go Pack Go!