Official 2026 Free Agency/Offseason/Non-Draft Thread

[texaspackerbacker]

We need to get a DC who is good at tailoring his scheme to the talent a team has. As good as Hafley supposedly was, he was weak at that - a lot of single coverage with lame-assed Corners. I don't have any favorite name at present.

[Joemailman]

Who do we like at DC? Minter is a guy who is supposedly getting HC consideration after going to the Chargers with Connor Stallions Harbaugh. But he might have pretty free reign with the Milk Man.

Flores isn't leaving his DC gig with a OC head coach for a similar situation.

He might if he has a low opinion of JJ McCarthy and wants a chance at an Owl. But I think he's getting a HC job.

[pbmax]

I mean, is that not everyone? What do you propose they do to avoid that?

Well, step one is to have a plan. But in this case, the plan was to continue as they were. So the lack of planning for a replacement was a sign the decision was made.

[pbmax]

A lot of decent coordinators and assistants hit the unemployment office this off season. Add in college ranks and I'm not concerned about filling the ranks.

More importantly is the fact that over the years the NFL has allowed less practice time, less offseason activities and our GM is drafting projects in the early rounds. I don't care what you pay a coach if he doesn't have access to the athlete aspiring to become a football player you aren't in a good place.

Who do we like at DC? Minter is a guy who is supposedly getting HC consideration after going to the Chargers with Connor Stallions Harbaugh. But he might have pretty free reign with the Milk Man.

Flores isn't leaving his DC gig with a OC head coach for a similar situation.

[call_me_ishmael]

More and more this seems like making it up as you go along.

I mean, is that not everyone? What do you propose they do to avoid that?

[bobblehead]

Packers are gonna lose everyone and then pay LaFleur top dollar to return to an empty coach's office. Policy is off to a roaring start.

More and more this seems like making it up as you go along.

A lot of decent coordinators and assistants hit the unemployment office this off season. Add in college ranks and I'm not concerned about filling the ranks.

More importantly is the fact that over the years the NFL has allowed less practice time, less offseason activities and our GM is drafting projects in the early rounds. I don't care what you pay a coach if he doesn't have access to the athlete aspiring to become a football player you aren't in a good place.

[pbmax]

duplicate

[pbmax]

Packers are gonna lose everyone and then pay LaFleur top dollar to return to an empty coach's office. Policy is off to a roaring start.

More and more this seems like making it up as you go along.

[Joemailman]

Tom Silverstein
@TomSilverstein

Add the #Jets to those interested in #Packers run game coordinator Demarcus Covington for DC. Dallas also interested.

[pbmax]

Every contract is the same unless you're Kirk Cousins. 3 year deal disguised as a 5 year deal where the last 2 years are huge numbers that will virtually never get played. Thats why Elgton is on the chopping block. Same for why Kenny Clark wouldn't have played past this year. Same for why Gary would have only played out the deal if he turned into a genuine game wrecker. NFL execs are structuring deals to have lower bases in years 1-3 with a signing bonus to bring them up to snuff. Example: 5 years $150 million. Bonus 40 Million. Years 1 (10) 2 (10) 3 (20) then 4 and 5 (35). Agent crows that the deal averages 30 million, but it really is a 3 year deal for 80M and team options for 4/5. They aren't technically "void years" more like team option. Its the way the bulk of the deals are structured now except QB deals.

You are generally correct about most second deals being 3 years then we will see. Other veteran deals are often 1 year then we will see (Hobbs).

But void years means something specific; or you are the Saints, its the Saint to which you direct your prayers. And they have a high impact on accelerating cap costs, most so that just an extra 2 years on a 3 year deal to lower the signing bonus amortization. They are a larger fiction because they aren't a true paid year; even if the team wanted to the team could not have the player for the void years as they automatically disappear at a certain point. A 2 year fiction on a 5 year deal could, if the team chooses, be a true five year deal. I think the Packers have had this happen before because the cap went up more than expected and the player was still performing.

If I remember correctly, its essentially a way to get a second re-amortization of the contract bonuses in the middle of the deal which avoids the 5 year limit initially. It basically means you are going to get hit harder.

[bobblehead]

Normally I'd say Wyatt will get extended but not with void years, however, they are so tight, they have to do something to create enough space and then something else to have flexibility. Hobbs is a guy with a deal that they can restructure to get some immediate savings without breaking the bank if they keep him. They almost have to unless they are now convinced hes slot only.

Every contract is the same unless you're Kirk Cousins. 3 year deal disguised as a 5 year deal where the last 2 years are huge numbers that will virtually never get played. Thats why Elgton is on the chopping block. Same for why Kenny Clark wouldn't have played past this year. Same for why Gary would have only played out the deal if he turned into a genuine game wrecker. NFL execs are structuring deals to have lower bases in years 1-3 with a signing bonus to bring them up to snuff. Example: 5 years $150 million. Bonus 40 Million. Years 1 (10) 2 (10) 3 (20) then 4 and 5 (35). Agent crows that the deal averages 30 million, but it really is a 3 year deal for 80M and team options for 4/5. They aren't technically "void years" more like team option. Its the way the bulk of the deals are structured now except QB deals.

[pbmax]

Wyatt gets the 3 year (disguised as a 5 year) deal that brings him to age 32 which is normal for big men to still be effective. I said that when we drafted him "old". Looking at the life of a first round pick you generally get the 5 years and then a 3 year. After that you are paying too much to extend them. The difference is basically you let him walk at 31 without giving him another 3 or you let him walk at 32 without giving him another 3. In both cases you got the value from the player.

Normally I'd say Wyatt will get extended but not with void years, however, they are so tight, they have to do something to create enough space and then something else to have flexibility. Hobbs is a guy with a deal that they can restructure to get some immediate savings without breaking the bank if they keep him. They almost have to unless they are now convinced hes slot only.

[bobblehead]

Wyatt gets the 3 year (disguised as a 5 year) deal that brings him to age 32 which is normal for big men to still be effective. I said that when we drafted him "old". Looking at the life of a first round pick you generally get the 5 years and then a 3 year. After that you are paying too much to extend them. The difference is basically you let him walk at 31 without giving him another 3 or you let him walk at 32 without giving him another 3. In both cases you got the value from the player.

[Joemailman]

I wonder what they'll do with Devonte Wyatt. The dude has developed into a player, but he's hurt so, so much that it doesn't make sense to sign him to a long-term deal. My guess is they let him walk after next season. It's another hole to fill, for sure, but there's been a hole there a lot anyway because he's been hurt so much. Too bad. He was developing into a player.

I wonder if they'll part ways with Nixon. He's good, but he's not a shut down. Do they have him for a reasonable price next year?

I don't even know if they'll try to re-sign Sean Ryan. I know the center position is not strong in the draft, though. And Jacob Monk might not be the answer, either. I don't know.

I do think Jenkins, Gary, McAnus, and Quay Walker are all gone. Not sure about Doubs. I like the guy, but with a team in the tight cap position this one is, can you afford to keep him and watch Jayden Reed walk after next year and possibly stunt Golden's development? I don't know.

Wyatt will be interesting because he's unusually old for a 4th year player. He'll be 28 in March. I think they take a chance and sign him to an extension. Packers would save 5 million by cutting Nixon. I've read he wants a raise. Think Packers would balk at that. I think Doubs is gone. Even without him, Watson, Reed, Golden and Wicks is decent depth. Gotta spend money elsewhere. Center is a mystery. What is Rhyan's market value? Monk had a bad summer, but played pretty well last game against Vikings. Maybe he improved in practice as season went on.

[Fritz]

I wonder what they'll do with Devonte Wyatt. The dude has developed into a player, but he's hurt so, so much that it doesn't make sense to sign him to a long-term deal. My guess is they let him walk after next season. It's another hole to fill, for sure, but there's been a hole there a lot anyway because he's been hurt so much. Too bad. He was developing into a player.

I wonder if they'll part ways with Nixon. He's good, but he's not a shut down. Do they have him for a reasonable price next year?

I don't even know if they'll try to re-sign Sean Ryan. I know the center position is not strong in the draft, though. And Jacob Monk might not be the answer, either. I don't know.

I do think Jenkins, Gary, McAnus, and Quay Walker are all gone. Not sure about Doubs. I like the guy, but with a team in the tight cap position this one is, can you afford to keep him and watch Jayden Reed walk after next year and possibly stunt Golden's development? I don't know.