Yes, the Green Bay Packers are 0-for-2. The two big fish who made sense for the Packers at wide receiver (in very different ways, to be sure) have now landed with other teams. Davante Adams signed with the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night, and following closely behind that news was the trade of D.K. Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That leaves the Packers continuing to look for options to find a receiver who can help them beat man coverage. There aren’t many of those remaining on the free agent market, unfortunately, so a role player of some kind might end up being the primary option when free agency officially begins at 12 Noon Eastern Time today.
That time marks the start of the free agent negotiation period, or “legal tampering” period. Teams are formally allowed to begin talking to agents for unrestricted free agents at that time, so expect to see plenty of players “agreeing to terms” on contracts in the hours following that start time.
Besides wide receiver, the Packers’ other big needs include cornerback and defensive end. Unfortunately, a few top options on the edge are off the trade market, with Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett each signing big new contract extensions with their old teams. Could the Packers make a run at Chase Young or a trade for Trey Hendrickson to land a player with proven pass-rushing ability?
Cornerback looks more wide-open in free agency, however. Players like Byron Murphy, Paulson Adebo, D.J. Reed, and Carlton Davis lead the way in this year’s class, and that’s a position where the Packers could certainly be players in the market in the next few days.
Buckle up, because the next few days should be a wild ride.
How Can Packers Improve Receivers After Losing Davante Adams, DK Metcalf? | SI.com
This headline bothers me a bit -- they didn't "lose" guys they didn't have -- but the fact is that those two players are no longer options. Now the pickings are pretty slim on the open market for the role that the Packers need to fill.
Lions CB Carlton Davis on free agency: 'This time, I ain't gonna settle for less' | NFL.com
Davis wants to get paid, plain and simple. The Packers probably need a cornerback. Is he the guy that the Packers could go after?
Packers see deeper draft developing on third day | Packers.com
To fill out the bottom end of the roster, don’t be surprised if the Packers look to the draft, as they normally do. Brian Gutekunst said that the team has more players than usual with a draftable grade this year, suggesting that much of that comes in the late rounds. Don't be surprised if he stocks up on late picks again.
Packers LB Isaiah McDuffie talks new deal, Jeff Hafley: ‘The place I want to be’ - The Athletic ($)
Coming back on a new contract, McDuffie clearly enjoys playing for Jeff Hafley -- he did for one season in college and again in 2024 -- and he thinks Sean Duggan will be a great hire as linebackers coach. Meanwhile, he's happy to return to an organization that has made him feel welcome over four years.
Scientists trying to bring back the woolly mammoth end up with woolly mice | The Independent
Look, everybody knows that bringing extinct animals back involves mutating small, distant relatives. When they can make a real mammoth that speaks in Ray Romano’s voice, then I’ll be impressed.