Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers
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Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers speaks to the media after the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on September 07, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers are not far away from being a Super Bowl threat.
Last season, for much of the year, the team appeared to be one of the top contenders in the NFL. Unfortunately, injuries wreaked havoc on the Packers’ second half of the season.
Heading into the offseason, fans didn’t know what to expect from Brian Gutekunst and the front office. After pulling off the blockbuster trade for Micah Parsons last offseason, it was a clear sign that Green Bay was going all-in on winning now. Fans were hoping to see the same approach this offseason.
So far, that hasn’t been the case. The Packers have watched players like Rashan Gary, Nate Hobbs, Romeo Doubs, Malik Willis, Elgton Jenkins, Rasheed Walker, and Quay Walker leave town. Gutekunst has brought in just three key outside players.
Those additions are linebacker Zaire Franklin, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, and return man Skyy Moore.
With that being said, Green Bay could look to make an aggressive $10.9 million move in the second wave of NFL free agency.
Green Bay Packers Could Make Another Big Addition to Defense
Entering the 2026 season, the Packers will have a new defensive coordinator on the sideline. Jonathan Gannon has replaced Jeff Hafley, who left Green Bay to take the head coaching job with the Miami Dolphins.
There is a former player who starred for Gannon with the Arizona Cardinals still on the market.
Sporting News has now predicted the Packers to end up signing 39-year-old free agent defensive tackle and pass-rushing specialist Calais Campbell.
Campbell would be a prime candidate to sign a one-year deal with Green Bay. During the 2025 NFL season with the Cardinals, he played in 17 regular season games and recorded 43 total tackles to go along with 6.5 sacks and two defended passes.
Throughout his entire 18-year NFL career, Campbell has played in 278 total games. He has racked up 960 total tackles, 117 sacks, 18 forced fumbles, 13 fumble recoveries, three interceptions, and 65 defended passes.
Calais Campbell Is Exactly the Kind of Win-Now Move Fans Want
Over the last couple of years, the Packers have focused on being younger and more athletic. This offseason, that strategy has shifted a bit.
Bringing in Franklin to replace Walker at inside linebacker was a key sign. Green Bay is willing to bring in veteran players who are still in win-now mode. Campbell fits that mold.
Parsons is expected to miss the first few games of the 2026 season. Campbell could help with the pass rush during that time. When Parsons returns, Campbell’s presence would only make the Packers’ defensive front more dangerous.
Spotrac has projected that it would take a deal worth around $10.9 million per season to sign Campbell. Whether or not that price tag will be accurate remains to be seen. However, that price would be reasonable for the kind of impact he can make.
Only time will tell if Green Bay actually has interest in signing Campbell. It’s a move that would make a lot of sense, especially featuring a possible reunion of Gannon and Campbell.