Shortly after the Green Bay Packers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Eagles, general manager Brian Gutekunst told the media that the team needed to “continue to ramp up our sense of urgency. These opportunities don't come (very often). The life of a player in the National Football League is not very long. We've got a bunch of good guys in that locker room, got a bunch of talented guys in that locker room, and yeah, I think it's time that we start competing for championships, right?”
Many people took that to mean that the Packers may change their approach in free agency this offseason and make a big splash move. So far, that hasn’t happened. But it raises the question, are the Packers doing enough in free agency?
Let’s be clear, under Gutekunst, the Packers have not been averse to using free agency when they had the cap space and roster needs to fill. His predecessor, Ted Thompson, was much more reluctant to spend money on free agents. While the Packers still primarily build through the draft, they do sign free agents if the fit its right and the money is there.
In 2018, the two big free agent signings were tight end Jimmy Graham and defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson. Neither panned out as hoped. Graham started but never lived up to expectations while injuries ended Wilkerson’s time with the Packers after just a few games.
In 2019, Gutekunst went big in free agency, and it helped revitalize the team in Matt LaFleur’s first year as coach. The team signed four starters in free agency in edge rushers Preston and Za’Darius Smith, offensive lineman Billy Turner, and safety Adrian Amos. Those players all contributed to the Packers trips to the NFC Championship Game in the next two seasons.
The next few years after that were low key. Because of a poorly structured contract with Aaron Rodgers, the Packers had less cap space to work with. Gutekunst still made smaller moves, signing players like Christian Kirksey, Devin Funchess, and De’Vondre Campbell. Campbell had a career year and was a major contributor for a few seasons while others did not work out as planned due to injuries or just a lack of production. Remember, Campbell was also signed later in the offseason, after the first wave of free agency ended.
In 2023, the Packers were able to add return specialist and defensive back Keisean Nixon who was named All Pro twice as a kick returner.
In 2024, the Pack added two key players in running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney. Both went to the Pro Bowl and were key contributors to the team’s 11-win season.
This season, Gutekunst has plenty of cap room, but he hasn’t found players he feels are both worth paying for and are good fits for the Packers.
Teams that spend big early in free agency and make a lot of headlines don’t necessarily win a lot of football games the following fall. The Bears have been declared winners every offseason in recent years but have stumbled once the games started to be played in the fall.
How many times did Washington spend a lot of money in free agency under owner Daniel Snyder only to flounder once the games counted.
There are other moves Gutekunst could have made whether it was trading for D.K. Metcalf or bringing Devante Adams back to Green Bay. There are still trades out there he can make, and Jaire Alexander could be a part of a future deal later this offseason.
The bottom line is that Gutekunst has been willing to use free agency to improve the team, but he hasn’t spent recklessly or just for the sake of spending money.
The three players the Packers did sign this year, guard Aaron Banks, cornerback Nate Hobbs, and receiver/return specialist Mecole Hardman may not have been “sexy” moves, but they should help improve the team and address specific needs the team had.
We’ll see what happens between now and Week 1 in September. Again, Gutekunst will primarily build through the draft, but he will use free agency and trades when he sees fit. While he hasn’t made the big splash many fans have hoped for, the offseason isn’t over yet, and we’ll have to see what kind of team the Packers field when training camp opens.
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You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
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