Packers Offseason/Free Agency/ Non-Draft Thread

GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers’ starting tackles have another year before they become free agents, but they received a nice chunk of change Wednesday.

Under the collective bargaining agreement’s performance-based pay, left tackle Rasheed Walker earned the 10th highest amount of any player and right tackle Zach Tom received the 20th highest.

Many more Packers players are receiving payments under the program, but the NFL released only the top 25 earners.

Walker will receive $925,613 and Tom will receive $849,141. Both players nearly doubled their 2024 base salaries of $985,000.

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Originally Posted by Joemailman

GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers’ starting tackles have another year before they become free agents, but they received a nice chunk of change Wednesday.

Under the collective bargaining agreement’s performance-based pay, left tackle Rasheed Walker earned the 10th highest amount of any player and right tackle Zach Tom received the 20th highest.

Many more Packers players are receiving payments under the program, but the NFL released only the top 25 earners.

Walker will receive $925,613 and Tom will receive $849,141. Both players nearly doubled their 2024 base salaries of $985,000.

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They also will get nice boosts to their 2025 salaries under a rule that applies to non-first round picks who exceed 55% of the available offensive/defensive snaps their first three years. Each will go up to over $3 million from their contracted salaries of about $1 million. Tom made the cutoff easily, Walker snuck in at just over 56%.

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Originally Posted by Deputy Nutz

Why wouldn't they train Morgan as the replacement for Walker? Tom isn't going to move to Left Tackle. Rhyan isn't a terrible player in fact he is pretty good in the run game, not sure why they need to replace him with Morgan. I think Morgan's value now that the Packers signed Banks is at Left Tackle. If they thought Morgan was ready to start at guard they would have never signed Banks. Maybe the problem with Morgan is that the Packers shouldn't have drafted him in the first place and he isn't the player they thought he was going to be, which is crazy because he was injured most of 2024 and he was a rookie.

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Mostly agree. Morgan may eventually be a good guard, but he can play LT today. He probably is a step behind Walker, but if he is working on his body and feet this offseason he can catch up fast. They shouldn't have drafted Morgan to play guard. Now signing Banks tells me they didn't.

Also in a stunner I have warmed to Rhyan. He is a nasty run blocker and now however we line up we have a really dominant run blocking group. Jacobs should have a great year and hopefully Love is only passing from advantage situations.

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Originally Posted by Patler

Clearly Morgan will get opportunities at tackle, that's what he was drafted for, OT potential.

Don't remember if it was Gute or LeFleur who flat out admitted this off season that they made a mistake by not giving Morgan more opportunities at tackle last year, but justified it by saying the need at guard was more significant. Players and practice observers commented about Morgan's noticeable athleticism in drills. I am not concerned at all about Morgan...yet.

It is never wrong to draft a high potential, versatile OL; 22% of your starters are OL. It was clear from the playoff game last year that GB needs OL depth. Guys who can perform competently at 2, 3 or 4 of the positions are invaluable on game days.

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Exactly, and as I have said a few times. In a normal draft Morgan is probably gone around 15-17. This draft was super deep at tackle and he lasted. Total value pick which I am always on board with.

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Originally Posted by Fosco33

Sounds like pack might cut jaire today? Why not keep him and make him play (and then trade him)?

If everyone knows you don’t want something - why would they give you more than a 7th for him?

Post 6/1 cut designation doesn’t save a whole lot of cap.

And ffs we know he’ll just sign w/ the queens…

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But did he exaggerate his injury last year? Was he sitting just to make some weird point only he understands? If you bring him into camp will he mysteriously get hurt again making it difficult to cut him without it costing a mountain of money? I saw this play out with Bak, not sure I want to see the sequel.

Sounds like we signed Mecole Hardman to a one year deal.

Not a ton of production but without Watkins and Nixon being a liability (like costing playoff games) in returns… why not.

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Originally Posted by Fosco33

Sounds like we signed Mecole Hardman to a one year deal.

Not a ton of production but without Watkins and Nixon being a liability (like costing playoff games) in returns… why not.

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The brass knows what it's doing

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Originally Posted by Brian Gutekunst, probably

The decision to add him to our roster wasn't very...Hardman

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Or -

Like my ex wife used to always say:

https://i.etsystatic.com/38882159/r/...46468_3dn0.jpg

His returning ability should enable him to replace Bo Melton. Nixon has said he doesn't want to return kicks anymore and Jayden Reed was nothing special on punt returns.

He seems to check Gouchebag's only box. He's below 30

Hardman ran a 4.33 forty at the combine, and he ran a 4.22 in a match race against several other NFL players. With Watson out at least most of the season, we need that kind of speed. Good signing assuming he is still close to that fast.

He's Melton sized and likely will battle with him for a roster spot. He was a All Pro returner, so if Nixon digs in on not wanting to return kicks anymore they have that.

Mecole has talent and wheels, and he's 27. If they sign hi to a 1.25 or 1.5M deal with little/no bonus it's fine. They can cut him without a problem. He's a lottery ticket who provides some depth, and can do some of the gadget stuff.

It doesn't really move the needle a lot. Probably means they don't like the WRs in the draft or feel the top tier is elite and will bank on interior development and competition from within to improve. Would like to see them draft a WR though.

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Originally Posted by run pMc

He's Melton sized and likely will battle with him for a roster spot. He was a All Pro returner, so if Nixon digs in on not wanting to return kicks anymore they have that.

Mecole has talent and wheels, and he's 27. If they sign hi to a 1.25 or 1.5M deal with little/no bonus it's fine. They can cut him without a problem. He's a lottery ticket who provides some depth, and can do some of the gadget stuff.

It doesn't really move the needle a lot. Probably means they don't like the WRs in the draft or feel the top tier is elite and will bank on interior development and competition from within to improve. Would like to see them draft a WR though.

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THIS ONE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDxXJ4rmZ_8

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Originally Posted by Bretsky

THIS ONE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDxXJ4rmZ_8

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Yeah I like him just fine, but watching those highlights, seems like they are all from the slot or close to the formation. Doesn't seem like they lined him up wide outside, which is probably what they want unless they are doing something else with Reed. Not saying Egbuka can't play outside, but i wonder if that's not where he's best. I think Gute picks a WR in Round 2-4, he'll be gone before they do.

Side note: I liked JSN a little better coming out than Egbuka, but I probably wouldn't be mad if they picked Egbuka.

LB Kristian Welch is back with the Packers. He was with Packers in 2023. Packers had released him August 27, 2024.

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Originally Posted by Joemailman

LB Kristian Welch is back with the Packers. He was with Packers in 2023. Packers had released him August 27, 2024.

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Yeah, he had an eventful preseason with picks etc. so I think some were surprised by the cut.
He's the Eric Wilson replacement and gives Hopper competition. Doesn't preclude them from drafting or bringing in LBs but doesn't make it a need either. Bisaccia is probably happy.

Matt Schneidman
@mattschneidman

Brian Gutekunst confirms two-time Pro Bowl left guard Elgton Jenkins will switch positions with the arrival of Aaron Banks.

On Jenkins: “We think he can be an All-Pro center.”

Brian Gutekunst on Zach Tom: "We think he can be an All-Pro center."

Mike McCarthy on Micah Hyde "we think he would be a sub par Safety"

Read that Love would like to run more this season and make off-schedule plays.
I think his injury was worse than he let on last season. On the bright side, he couldn’t run much less.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profoo...-plays-in-2025

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Originally Posted by bobblehead

Mike McCarthy on Micah Hyde "we think he would be a sub par Safety"

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LOL

IIRC Iowa did try Hyde at safety and he wasn't very good; he was better at corner. I don't think M3 is the keenest judge of talent. Exhibit A: as the SF OC he preferred Smith over Rodgers.

Jordan Schultz
@Schultz_Report

Sources: The #Packers are exercising the fifth-year option on DT Devonte Wyatt, locking in a guaranteed $12.9M for the 2026 season.

The No. 28 pick in 2022 has totaled 12 sacks in three seasons with Green Bay.

Wyatt just turned 27, and has 12 career sacks in 47 games (5 starts). Given what a lot of pass rushing 3T's got in FA, this isn't bad. Not a huge fan of giving him or Quay a lot of money -- I don't think they've been consistently good enough, but I could see wanting to give him a prove-it year.

Re: Quay, no word yet, but JAX didn't exercise the option on Devin Lloyd. Speculation is that they are working on a long term deal with Quay. Do you want to keep him for 4/65M? That would basically be Nick Bolton money, not sure he's there. Everybody in the building loves him, so who knows.
It's not my money.

I think more like 4 years $40 million for Quay. He's not there yet.

I think Quay has gotten better each year, he wasn't 100% ready when he was drafted, his reaction time wasn't quite there and he wasn't even the most productive linebacker at Georgia. I thought the Packers reached on him in the first round and it was a head scratcher for me. I think they were hoping that he could develop behind Campbell and that never materialized and Campbell turned into a head case.

well they did not pick up his option, so they are either going to let him play out his contract or extend him. I don't think he's a bad player, I think he's a great athlete who hasn't put it together. He has had both good and bad moments, and ILBs get picked on a lot by offenses, but he leaves me wanting more. I don't know that I wouldn't let him walk and try again with a couple of Day 3 guys to battle it out. ILB is not a considered a "premium position" and I'd rather save the LB contract money for Cooper down the road anyway.

If they offer him a deal in the 8-10M range that would feel a little pricey but it's not the worst contract they've done. 12-15M/yr is too much IMO. It's like overpaying for a RB.

It's official: No 5th year option for Quay.

https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/g...k-on-extension

Unlike Wyatt, the Packers have elected not to exercise the option on Walker, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. His option would have added the 2026 season onto his contract with a fully-guaranteed base salary of $14.75 million, an extremely high number for an off-ball linebacker. In fact, only six players at Walker’s position have contracts with an average annual value higher than that number.

The reason for the high number is that off-ball linebackers and 3-4 outside linebackers all get lumped together for the purposes of calculating 5th-year option values. As a result, much of the value is based on pass-rushers, who generally draw significantly higher-value contracts. While Wyatt’s option makes him the 26th-highest-paid defensive tackle, making Walker the 7th-highest-paid off-ball linebacker does not reflect the caliber of play that he has provided to the Packers through his first three years.


With that said, general manager Brian Gutekunst told the media last week that the team intends to keep Walker in their long-term plans. Demovsky’s report notes that the team will try to work on a contract extension for Walker this offseason, further confirming Gutekunst’s comments about the team’s view of Walker as a building block for the defense. For now, however, he is under contract only through the end of the upcoming season and is set to earn roughly $2.6 million in base salary for 2025.

I’m not a fan of quay. I think we need smart defensive playcallers and we seem to play better when he’s off the field. Perhaps that’s unfounded / but while a freak athlete - just a little dumb.

I don't think he's dumb, I think he's not instinctive, or he doesn't trust his eyes. A lot of offenses try to force LBs to making false steps, and late in the season QB's attacked the MOF between the LBs and safeties (see: Tua's 2nd half vs GB for example), and he's made some head-scratching reads against the run. I think he's willing, but I just think he's more natural athlete than natural linebacker.

Doesn't help that he landed in Barry's scheme, which is more reactive than aggressive, and he had learn and now unlearn that. It would be fantastic if the light went on for Quay, but I think he's going to be a half-beat slow unless Hafley and Co. can coach that out of him.

All of this to say, I don't think he's worth the 5th year option. I'm not even sure he's worth a sizable extension, but GB likes him so they must know something I don't.

I think it’s interesting that neither player was signed to a long term deal.
The Packers, at least publicly, stated that was the goal. However, they wanted the deals to run less than the 5th year option amount per year.
Obviously, the players didn’t agree at this time.

They have some long-term decisions to make on defense.
You already have Clark at $20M per year.
Do they really want to add Wyatt and Walker for $30M+?

There’s a chance all three could be gone in a year, replaced by the draft and free agency.

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Originally Posted by run pMc

I don't think he's dumb, I think he's not instinctive, or he doesn't trust his eyes. A lot of offenses try to force LBs to making false steps, and late in the season QB's attacked the MOF between the LBs and safeties (see: Tua's 2nd half vs GB for example), and he's made some head-scratching reads against the run. I think he's willing, but I just think he's more natural athlete than natural linebacker.

Doesn't help that he landed in Barry's scheme, which is more reactive than aggressive, and he had learn and now unlearn that. It would be fantastic if the light went on for Quay, but I think he's going to be a half-beat slow unless Hafley and Co. can coach that out of him.

All of this to say, I don't think he's worth the 5th year option. I'm not even sure he's worth a sizable extension, but GB likes him so they must know something I don't.

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They seem to like him more than most fans do. It's a bit of a head-scratcher because he does seem a little out-of-position often, even to the casual fan like me. But they do seem to like him.

I don't know if they're working out a long-term extension for him, as they've led us to believe, if a snag has come up, or if really maybe they do intend to let him walk after the season. Could Ty'ron Hopper become Quay 2.0 on a cheaper contract?

Walker's situation is just one of the examples were the "average salary" calculations come up short. Linebackers are lumped together, but the highest paid ones are the pass-rush OLBs in 3-4 defenses. That's not Walker. Instead of paying him $15M for 2026, they'll give him that and maybe a bit more in guaranteed money for a four-year contract averaging less than the 5th year single season salary.

GB will sign the rookies, then work on extensions for Wyatt, Walker and Thom yet this offseason and early in the season.

Packers sign QB Taylor Elgersma from Canada.
Won the equivalent of the Heisman trophy.
Supposedly looked good in his tryout and has a live arm.

The Sean Clifford fan club may be shutting down soon.

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Originally Posted by Teamcheez1

Packers sign QB Taylor Elgersma from Canada.
Won the equivalent of the Heisman trophy.
Supposedly looked good in his tryout and has a live arm.

The Sean Clifford fan club may be shutting down soon.

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Pretty sure that party of one has mostly disappeared already other than the once in a while bad game by Love.

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Originally Posted by Teamcheez1

Packers sign QB Taylor Elgersma from Canada.
Won the equivalent of the Heisman trophy.
Supposedly looked good in his tryout and has a live arm.

The Sean Clifford fan club may be shutting down soon.

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I've seen Elgersma play - he looks really good on the field, very commanding presence. Scrambles effectively. We'll see how he adapts to the differences between the games, the Canadian QBs who like to throw have to adapt to the smaller field and endzones, giving them less to work with.

He's a big guy, 6'5". A bit of a slight build at 227lbs
https://laurierathletics.com/sports/...elgersma/21178

Jayden Reed seems to be upset about his future role on the team.
Maybe he should focus on being a better WR. Playing time will come to those who earn it.
No wonder Gute drafted WR’s with all the divas we have.

https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2...art-2025-draft

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Originally Posted by Teamcheez1

Jayden Reed seems to be upset about his future role on the team.
Maybe he should focus on being a better WR. Playing time will come to those who earn it.
No wonder Gute drafted WR’s with all the divas we have.

https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2...art-2025-draft

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Nagler thinks it's much ado about not much. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV7Jnz3Sv8c&t=3s

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Originally Posted by Joemailman

Nagler thinks it's much ado about not much. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV7Jnz3Sv8c&t=3s

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If that's true, then he and his agent should quit acting like a couple of pussies.

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Originally Posted by SudsMcBucky

If that's true, then he and his agent should quit acting like a couple of pussies.

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Reading the article, it doesn't fit the description that TeamCheez had. The agent asked if there was any change in status for his client given the two higher picks. It's not unreasonable for an agent to have a meeting like this, and to advocate for his player. It's a business, and they were handling it in a professional way. There were no shouts to the media about the player being treated unfairly or anything like that. Just normal NFL business that wouldn't register a blip on the radar if this wasn't the dead zone for NFL news.

There's some good stuff in this tape. Pro: He keeps his head up and is always looking downfield even when scrambling and under pressure. Not always tunnel vision on receiver and comes off primary. Big presence in the pocket; sees over the line. Con: Some tunnel vision. Deep outs to sideline have some air under them, take time. Release can be funny (but also a 'Pro'). Is a highlight reel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbMjQq0JS1A

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Originally Posted by Guiness

I've seen Elgersma play - he looks really good on the field, very commanding presence. Scrambles effectively. We'll see how he adapts to the differences between the games, the Canadian QBs who like to throw have to adapt to the smaller field and endzones, giving them less to work with.

He's a big guy, 6'5". A bit of a slight build at 227lbs
https://laurierathletics.com/sports/...elgersma/21178

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