Photo credit: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The true beginning of free agency is on the horizon, but the NFL is already buzzing with news as teams schmooze before the start of the new league year. With a handful of big trades already agreed upon and more on coming soon, it’s an exciting time even before the big names officially hit the market.
The Green Bay Packers have already made one of their most significant moves, though it might not be as immediately exciting.
Last week, the Packers extended their highest-priority free agent, locking down kicker Brandon McManus on a three-year, $15.3 million deal — a bargain for the team’s long-coveted kicking stability.
With the kicking carousel finally stopped spinning, the Packers handled their most important question for their struggling special teams group. What’s next on the horizon to get this group out of the bottom of the barrel?
The Packers are no stranger to having their season dragged down by poor special teams play, and the post-Mason Crosby years were plagued by kicking issues. Father Time clearly bogged Crosby down in his final season, but he was still better than the rogue’s gallery that came afterward.
Anders Carlson and Brayden Narveson probably cost the Packers a few wins. Even their “reliable” veteran option, Greg Joseph, couldn’t beat out the novice kickers.
Thankfully, McManus brought stability and immediately showed the benefit of an experienced kicker by winning back-to-back games with last-second field goals.
🦵The Kicker Journey the Packers went on after Mason Crosby's departure needs to be studied:
(In order of signed)
❌K Dominik Eberle
❌K JJ Molson
❌K Elliott Fry
❌K Ramiz Ahmed
❌K Matt Ammendola
❌K Anders Carlson
❌K Parker White
❌K Jack Podlesny
❌K Greg Joseph
❌K James…
— CheeseheadTV 🧀 (@cheeseheadtv) March 4, 2025
McManus only missed two field goals after joining Green Bay. Unfortunately, one was in the playoff loss to Philadelphia. Still, with a reliable kicker in place, Packers fans can rest a bit easier.
Still, they can’t sleep too soundly because special teams was still stinky by the end of the season.
Green Bay made two more moves for the unit’s good, though.
The Packers tendered multiple exclusive-rights free agents, including punter Daniel Whelan and safety Zayne Anderson.
Whelan had a career year in 2024 and was a field-tilting weapon. He was the team’s MVP in multiple games and even turned some poor snaps into booming punts. Keeping Whelan along with McManus keeps the specialist core working and growing together, giving the Packers their most reliable kicking duo in some time.
Anderson played a bigger role than many expected on defense, and everyone noticed his absence to close the season. That depth at safety makes maintaining him an excellent move, but he’s also one of Rich Bisaccia’s most valuable we-fensive players.
Anderson played the second-most special teams snaps, trailing only Eric Wilson. He also led the team with 10 ST tackles.
Contrary to popular belief, Zayne Anderson is a real person. He also led the team in special teams tackles last season and finished second in special teams snaps.
He’s the first of the Packers’ ERFAs to receive a tender and certainly not the last: https://t.co/AH4L9mtoNw
— zach jacobson (@zacobson) March 5, 2025
The Packers also signed linebacker Isaiah McDuffie to a two-year extension. McDuffie’s special teams snaps have diminished as his role on defense has grown. However, if the Packers don’t re-sign Eric Wilson, we could see McDuffie play a bigger role on special teams again.
Green Bay could re-sign Wilson, who is consistently one of their best special teamers, but it’s unlikely that both McDuffie and Wilson will get new deals. They still need an off-ball linebacker, and the Packers may need to focus more on the position’s defensive side rather than ST ability.
Defensive end Arron Mosby, who played the third-most special teams snaps, also seems likely to return for 2025.
With their two main specialists locked down and some key contributors back in the fold, Bisaccia’s biggest needs are stability at returner and long snapper and to find new core teamers.
Jayden Reed is the closest thing to the team’s WR1 at this point. With Christian Watson set to miss time, the Packers will lean on Reed. He also needs to fix his drop issues. He probably shouldn’t be returning punts at this point in his career, and focusing solely on WR could help those drop issues.
Keisean Nixon expressed frustration about being a returner and wanting to focus on being “CB1.” He may also not be ideally suited to the NFL’s new kick-return rules, though the league could tweak them again this offseason.
Matt LaFleur mentioned having multiple options for returners, and it would be wise to invest in the role. The team will likely add a receiver in this year’s draft, so finding one with return experience would be a boon.
Matt Orzech isn’t a liability at long snapper, but I’ve long thought it’s an area where the team could find an upgrade. A few botched snaps made life harder than necessary for Whelan, and an upgrade could elevate the two returning specialists.
Finally, in the likely event the Packers don’t re-sign Eric Wilson, they must replace those snaps and find more reliable tacklers. Whether this comes from a combination of next-man-up moves on the existing roster, finding roles for the 2025 draft class, or finding some reliable veterans, Bisaccia could stand to remake his core group to avoid previous deficiencies.
The Packers are committed to keeping Rich Bisaccia as their special teams coordinator, so they must provide him with the right group of players. They’ve kept some of their bright spots by re-signing McManus and tendering Whelan and Anderson. The next focus should be re-envisioning their returners, upgrading at long snapper, and finding new ways to get productive players in the right spots to succeed.
Photo credit: Wm. Glasheen (USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
We’re just a few days away from the opening of the NFL’s negotiating window on Monday at noon. Since the end of the season, the Green Bay Packers have given us substantial evidence that they want to upgrade their roster. Brian Gutekunst said they need to ramp up their sense of urgency.
Then, last week at the combine, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported he heard from agents that Green Bay will be active in free agency, emphasizing defensive line, cornerback, and wide receiver. According to Ken Ingalls, Green Bay has about $45 million in cap space and about $29 million in effective cap. They also can free up almost $74 million more by restructuring contracts.
The Packers can sign anyone they want.
Let’s ponder what it could look like if Gutey puts his money where his mouth is in free agency, starting with Green Bay’s free agents.
Already Signed
Brandon McManus, kicker
Isaiah McDuffie, linebacker
The Packers re-signed Brandon McManus to a three-year deal on Tuesday. Weirdly, of all the guys set to be free agents, McManus was the priority. After a roller-coaster season with Anders Carlson in 2023 and a depressing kicking competition in training camp, the Packers went with Brayden Narveson, who wasn’t on the roster.
However, they released Narveson six weeks into the season. McManus, 33, is an 11-year veteran and stabilized the position, making 20 of 21 field goals and all 30 extra points in the regular season.
Green Bay also re-signed McDuffie on a two-year deal. McDuffie adds solid depth to a room that needs it. However, it shouldn’t preclude them from continuing to add to the room.
Re-Sign
T.J. Slaton, defensive tackle
Zayne Anderson (tendered), safety
Andre Dillard, offensive tackle
Corey Ballentine, cornerback
Daniel Whelan (tendered), punter
Arron Mosby (tendered), edge
Bo Melton (tendered), wide receiver
Kadeem Telfort (tendered), offensive line
Emanuel Wilson (tendered), running back
Slaton provides a skillset as a big run defender the Packers don’t have otherwise. Re-signing him shouldn’t stop them from adding to the D-line, but it gives them depth and flexibility if they can’t add to it in the draft or free agency. The other guys are cheap depth pieces that make sense to keep around for depth.
Let walk
Josh Myers, center
Eric Stokes, cornerback
Eric Wilson, linebacker
A.J. Dillon, running back
Robert Rochell, cornerback
Tyler Davis, tight end
John FitzPatrick, tight end
Josh Myers and Eric Stokes are the most notable names from this list. Myers is reportedly expected to have a strong market, so Green Bay elects to move on and go with an offensive line involving 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan.
On the other hand, after a stellar rookie season, Stokes fell victim to the sophomore slump that ended with a brutal leg injury that he never fully recovered from. At this point, both sides should move on. Eric Wilson loses the position battle to McDuffie.
Cuts/Trades
Jaire Alexander and a 2025 sixth to the Indianapolis Colts for a 2025 fourth and a 2025 seventh
Gutekunst finds a trade partner, and the second-longest Packers divorce of the Matt LaFleur era is over.
Free-agent signings
D.J. Reed – four years, $65 million (40 guaranteed)
After trading Alexander, the Packers quickly turned their attention to replacing him. Spotrac has Reed projected at four years, $58 million. Green Bay outbids to secure their guy.
D.J. Reed with great coverage vs Justin Jefferson on the circus route pic.twitter.com/f6lGPr6Trj
— Matt Holder (@MHolder95) March 4, 2025
In Demovsky’s comments that Green Bay will be active in free agency, he specifically named D.J. Reed as a guy they’re interested in. Reed instantly becomes the Alexander replacement as CB 1, but it shouldn’t stop them from adding to a room that lacks depth.
Davante Adams – two years, $50 million ($36 million guaranteed)
Spotrac has Adams at a two-year, $27 million valuation. However, given Adams’ production and the rising cap, I expect he will get an updated version of Mike Evans’ two-year $41 million ($35 guaranteed) contract.
71-YARD RUN TO THE END ZONE!!#NYJvsJAX on FOX pic.twitter.com/XK3rBXayBe
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 15, 2024
After the New York Jets officially released Adams, the Packers work aggressively to reunite with the star receiver. After signing him, there are no more questions about who Green Bay’s No. 1 receiver is.
The Packers reportedly were also interested in DK Metcalf, who the Seattle Seahawks recently granted permission to seek a trade. However, Seattle’s asking price and the contract they’d have to give Metcalf on top of trade capital made Adams the more intriguing target.
Adams was reportedly interested in sticking with Aaron Rodgers or going to the West Coast. Still, it’s also been reported that the interest in reuniting with LaFleur and the Packers is real because of the past connection.
The Packers (+165) opened as the betting favorites on DraftKings to sign Adams, followed by the California teams: the Los Angeles Chargers (+550), San Francisco 49ers (+550), and Los Angeles Rams (+750).
Green Bay will still address the defensive line after aggressively addressing corner and wide receiver. However, with a strong draft class, they will do so less aggressively, given what the D-line market commands with the Osa Odigizuah deal.
Azeez Ojulari – two years, $15 million ($10 million guaranteed)
The Packers are reportedly interested in Colts pass rusher Dayo Odeyingbo. However, after splurging on wide receiver and cornerback, they get outbid and settle for Ojulari.
Ojulari isn’t the splashy move at DL that Khalil Mack or Odeyingbo would be. Still, he provides pass-rush juice with some upside at only 24 years old.
https://twitter.com/Giants/status/1734420095089213630
Supplemental signings
Marquez Valdes-Scantling – WR
Austin Corbett – C/G
Jerome Baker – ILB
MVS gives the Packers a field stretcher option and joins a battle with Bo Melton and Malik Heath for the final roster spot(s) in the room. Corbett provides interior O-line depth after losing Myers. Lastly, Baker adds depth to the linebacker room.
None of these guys are sure things to make the roster.
Draft
After being aggressive filling needs in free agency, we’re left with few needs going into the draft. The defensive interior is one spot that Green Bay must address. That will be near the top of the priority list in a strong class. Otherwise, we will look to add long-term depth at spots already addressed (CB, WR, EDGE, OL).
Green Bay attacked the defensive interior and took Derrick Harmon in the first round. Harmon is a 3-tech who started at Michigan State and transferred to Oregon. According to PFF, he broke out as an interior disruptor with 55 total pressures at Oregon, leading FBS interior defensive lineman in 2024. He had elite pass-rush grades in his final two seasons and was a good run defender.
Harmon is exactly what the Packers need in the middle of their defense.
The Packers land Azareye’h Thomas a round later, and I’m thrilled. Thomas, who will still be 20 when he is drafted, is a prototype corner build at 6’1” with long arms and huge hands. He’ll instantly come in and compete for outside CB2.
To round it out, we added some depth pieces. Tate Ratledge is a big, athletic, and versatile offensive lineman who played guard and tackle in college and looks like a prototypical Packers O-lineman.
Tory Horton is a bonafide Packers type at receiver. Finally, Jack Kiser is an older, experienced prospect who immediately adds some depth to the middle of the defense.
After adding Reed and Thomas to the secondary, they’ve beefed up the defensive line with Harmon and Ojulari and added juice in the receiving room with Davante and Horton. Therefore, they should be among the NFC favorites next year.
Photo Credit: Dan Powers via USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers stand on solid financial ground entering the offseason. The Packers can be in play for a big move if they desire. They can dish out extensions to a few players if they so choose. Hell, they can dabble in both worlds.
Despite the financial flexibility, Green Bay will need plenty of growth and improvement from within. That’s because so many critical parts of the operation are set to return.
No team in the NFL has fewer snaps played in 2024 entering free agency than the Packers. Only 14.6% of Green Bay’s players who accumulated snaps last season are free agents this offseason. For reference, the Minnesota Vikings are on the opposite side of the spectrum, with players representing 45.4% of the team’s total snaps entering free agency.
The Packers chipped into that 14.6% even more when they announced they re-signed linebacker Isaiah McDuffie to a two-year contract. McDuffie saw the second-most snaps at linebacker for Green Bay last year, trailing only Quay Walker. McDuffie finished the campaign having played 64% of the snaps on defense.
It’s a good dilemma for the Packers.
Outside of Josh Myers, the Packers have no internal priority signings; some might not even put Myers into this category. In an ideal scenario, Myers would be back on a team-friendly deal. However, it isn’t the end of the world if that’s not the case.
I don’t intend to take a shot at this group. It’d be great to have Eric Wilson back if it makes sense. The same can be said for T.J. Slaton and some others. Brandon McManus would have been the other priority, given the kicking woes before he arrived in Green Bay. However, they have him locked in, too.
The point remains that the Packers aren’t going to have to panic and scavenge for parts to reassemble the roster. All of their key pieces are under contract through at least 2025.
That also means Green Bay will rely heavily on internal growth to reach the next level. Sure, they will have the option of plugging some holes in free agency. However, there must be improvement, primarily from some of the younger players.
Defensive end Lukas Van Ness has severely underwhelmed in his first two seasons. The former first-round pick out of Iowa was a non-factor in far too many games in 2024. While the spotlight doesn’t solely go on Van Ness, he’s one of the young guys at a position of need who must step up.
Speaking at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, a reporter asked Brian Gutekunst about the Packers needing to get better at getting to the quarterback. He also mentioned Van Ness.
“We need to affect the quarterback more in the front four, just with four players,” Gutekunst said, “and Lukas is a big part of that.”
Gutekunst also praised Van Ness’ work ethic and reaffirmed his belief in the defensive end.
He does everything he can. He is everything you want in a professional as far as his work ethic and what he puts into it, and I expect him to take a big jump this year.
Whether it’s Van Ness stepping up or Brenton Cox Jr. taking a big leap, there has to be development that comes from within up front for the defensive line. Gutekunst knows this.
We need to affect the quarterback with four. It needs to be more consistent. It needs to be able to control the game when we need to, finish games off … that has to get better if want to accomplish the goals we want to accomplish this season.
Wide receiver is another spot where the Packers must take a step forward. Even if Green Bay were to add a big name into the mix at wideout, the team has too much young talent that hasn’t taken a leap.
Whether it’s Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, or Dontayvion Wicks, the Packers know it would be best if at least one emerged as a top threat in the passing game in 2025.
Gutekunst is part of the group that would like to see one of Green Bay’s receivers move into No. 1 wideout territory.
You’d like to have somebody move into that space … I’d like multiple guys to be able to move into that space. What I’m looking for is guys that when they’re called upon can perform at a high level. I think we have a lot of guys that have done that.
Many of Green Bay’s returning players haven’t reached their ceiling, which bodes well for the Packers. They don’t have an aging roster with bloated contracts that feels trapped. Instead, it’s the youngest roster in the NFL, with players like Edgerrin Cooper, Tucker Kraft, Evan Williams, Carrington Valentine, and countless others who played a ton but haven’t peaked.
There’s a risk in banking on that growth; it’s far from a certainty. Still, Green Bay has no choice but to buy into the notion that at least some of its young talent will continue to evolve.
Entering the offseason, the Packers are in a great spot with financial flexibility and not having to deal with the headache of retaining a bunch of their talent. That talent is here to stay through at least next year. What Matt LaFleur and his staff can do with them will make all the difference.
Mitch Widmeier
Mitch Widmeier covers the Green Bay Packers for Zone Coverage. Mitch comes over from FanDuel Sports Network where he was in the content department. Follow his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@Mitch\_I\_Am and at @m_widmeier on Twitter.
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