Last week around this time, it was like every NFL fan was a kid excited for their birthday. What cool toy will Mom and Dad get me this year? Or are they going only to give me clothes and a toy I've never heard of? Packer fans are used to the clothes and the toys they've never heard of, but after Brian Gutekunst went out last year and picked up two big-time free agents in Xavier McKinney and Josh Jacobs, many thought that this year they could get the cool toys again, and they got their hopes up. You guessed it, once again, Packer fans got the clothes and the toy they never heard of.
Growing up, one of the many legendary rock bands I listened to played by my Mom and Dad was one of the best of them all, The Rolling Stones. In my much younger years, the lovely 2-6 year old range, whenever my brother and I would get upset over not getting something we wanted, my Dad loved to play the classic Stones' song "You Can't Always Get What You Want." He'd crank it up and sing along to it, and of course, this drove my brother and me nuts. But despite our hatred of that song in those times, I grew to understand the meaning, and despite doing it in what was, at the time to us, a torturing way, we figured out our Dad was teaching us a true life lesson. You really can't always get what you want. And Packers' fans had to endure that reality this week as they were left hanging in free agency without specific players, or even players at specific positions, they all desired. But as the Stones' song says, "You get what you need."
Aaron Banks
The move to sign Aaron Banks was one of those moves where an NFL GM proves he knows so much more than the fanbase. While everyone was begging for a wide receiver, a cornerback, an edge rusher, the Packers' first signing of free agency was an offensive guard. It was the first birthday gift and Packers' fans unwrapped, clothes!
But, whether we liked it or not, as kids, we needed clothes. Just like we need offensive linemen if we want to do anything on offense. It's not the sexy signing, but it was badly needed. Everyone watched as the line fell apart due to injury against the Eagles in the playoffs. The lack of quality linemen behind our starters hurt us badly at that moment. That isn't to say Aaron Banks was a depth signing, far from it, I believe. With the departure of Josh Myers at Center, there's a chance Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan, or maybe even Zach Tom will take over in the middle of the line for 2025. My money is on Elgton Jenkins, which means Aaron Banks would slot right into the left guard position, a position he's played for the last few years in San Francisco.
When I got by the anti-climactic nature of the signing and dove in to see Banks play, I enjoyed his mauler perception. He's a lineman who enforces his will in the middle with power, and that will be excellent in front of Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs. Not to mention, he's been a well-loved member of the 49ers locker room in his time there. Hopefully, bringing in another character guy will keep the locker room gelling as it has been, and this will be a successful, underrated signing.
Nate Higgins
Not long after the announcement of Aaron Banks, the Packers had another signing. CB Nate Higgins from the Raiders. Fans knew the Packers needed to sign a cornerback with the loss of Eric Stokes and possibly a trade of Jaire Alexander in the future. But most of the names they hoped for were already gone, and they didn't know Higgins very well at all. So, this was Packer fans then unwrapping the toy they never heard of at the birthday party. It's a toy, their parents say they'll like it, but they're not sure until it proves that true.
This is the case with Higgins. Higgins wasn't on my radar at all, but I will say that hearing our friends Maggie and Perri on Pack's What She Said listed Higgins as a possible fit made me feel better about it. Then I watched the tape. I saw a defender who swarms to the ball. He's versatile, playing both the slot and the perimeter, even though he was mainly used in the slot with the Raiders. He's got a good breaking speed to the ball and can make plays from across the field. We may not have known his name, but he's an intriguing signing that we'll see if Jeff Hafley's defense can bring out his best.
What We Didn't Get
DK Metcalf
If you've been following me at all, you'll know I was all over the Packers landing DK Metcalf in a trade. I've been a fan of his since before the 2019 draft. If the Packers had landed him in the draft, there would've been much rejoicing on my part. So, hearing the Packers may have had a chance to trade for him was like music to my ears. But then the price tag was released, and it was obvious it wouldn't happen.
Not only did DK Metcalf want a huge deal wherever he was traded to, but the Seahawks wanted a pretty penny, too, when you think about it, to have the rights to negotiate with DK. The Steelers gave Seattle a second-round pick for Metcalf and signed him to a five-year, $150M deal. Now, I'm not a General Manager, but to me, five years and $150M to a 27-year-old receiver that has been good, but hasn't exactly lit the league on fire, is a big investment. Not to mention having to lose a 2nd round draft pick in the process. There was no way the Packers were making this trade. Honestly, at that price tag, I would've been surprised to see a third-round pick sent by Brian Gutekunst.
Hopefully, he'll be worth the Steelers' investment. But I would agree with the Packers in not making that move.
Wide Receiver
The only reason anyone even wanted DK Metcalf in the first place was that the Packers seemingly have a gaping hole at wide receiver. Christian Watson's impact, whether on the stat sheet or simply in drawing the attention of defenders, is likely going to be missed while he is out this season. Many hoped for a one-year rental at the very least to help out in that role. A veteran receiver to help take the load off the shoulders of Doubs, Reed, Wicks, and Jordan Love. But, alas, the Packers haven't signed any receiver, even in a minor role.
Though it surprises me, it doesn't at the same time. Who did I want the Packers to go out and get? Chris Godwin? He resigned with the Bucs just before the start of free agency. Tee Higgins? He was franchise-tagged by the Bengals. There isn't anyone on that list who would fit the mold the Packers need and be worth it. And don't say Cooper Kupp would have because we all know that's not true. Kupp is/was a good player, but the Packers would much rather take a shot with a rookie or two than sign a receiver to an inflated multi-year contract when they quite possibly could be on the tail end of their career.
It makes me nervous to rely on a rookie to make that difference for the Packers, but the Packers have missed maybe only once in drafting receivers in the first two days within the last two decades. Maybe we'll still nab a draft pick that will make a difference on day 1.
Edge Rusher
This was a bit of a surprise. The Packers' pass rush was lackluster this past season, and the idea of grabbing someone in free agency to help contribute and move things along was in everyone's plans. But like wide receivers, no one was signed. No Khalil Mack, no Azeez Ojulari, no Dante Fowler, and also no Trey Hendrickson. Yet.
Rashan Gary seemed to be battling the entire offense to get to the quarterback last season, as his supporting cast didn't always draw a lot of legitimate attention. Lukas Van Ness still seems to be in his developmental years, JJ Enagbare is very hit-or-miss, and so is Brenton Cox. It would've made a lot of sense to bring in a veteran on a short-term deal to help out until the Packers figure out some long-term solutions. I even felt like a veteran could help LVN as well, but so far, it's not to be.
Unless the Packers shock the football world and trade for Trey Hendrickson, they'll be relying on a big jump from LVN and maybe a rookie pass rusher's assistance to help turn the tide on the situation.
Aaron Rodgers
Alright, I need to wrap up this week with some thoughts on the situation of our former QB, the legend, Aaron Rodgers. As of this moment, it's reported that Aaron Rodgers is weighing his options between the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers, with the Minnesota Vikings kind of playing spoiler as a third preferable contender.
If Rodgers goes to the Giants, we'll have to play him once this year in the Meadowlands, and it'll be a fun little matchup that we'll hope has no NFC playoff implications, so we can just sit back and enjoy it. If he goes to the Steelers, we can just enjoy that game as only being one game in the grand scheme of 17 and know the only chance we have to see him again is if both teams reach the Super Bowl. But then, the Vikings. Twice this year, possibly twice next year if he stays for longer, and every game can have an effect on the Packers' seasonal success. We'd rather not go down the Favre in purple road again.
But then again, when Favre went to the Jets, and then the Vikings, the Packers won a Super Bowl without him. Perhaps history repeats itself, and the Packers will end up winning the Super Bowl in the next two years if Rodgers goes to Minnesota. This might be an even trade-off if it's guaranteed to come true, but I don't want to risk it. I don't want to see another legend of Lambeau end up in Vikings' purple.
In the next few weeks leading up to the draft, hopefully, Packer fans will get some positive and encouraging news. Whether that be a trade, a signing, or something else, we'll take it. Until then, Go Pack Go.
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Greg Meinholz is a lifelong devoted Packer fan. A contributor to CheeseheadTV as well as PackersTalk. Follow him on Twitter @gmeinholz and Bluesky @gmeinholz.bsky.social for Packers commentary, random humor, beer endorsements, and occasional Star Wars and Marvel ramblings.
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