Official 2026 Free Agency/Offseason/Non-Draft Thread

[pbmax]

The team is only 3 players away from being top tier. The problem is we don't have a first next year and we have no money so I'm not sure where we get a shutdown CB not named APB or a TJ Slayton replacement. Off ball LB depth is hurting so we are going to need to draft a few instinctive guys in the 5th round, but that at least is achievable. The OL isn't going to get fixed unless Belton and Morgan both take big leaps. Then you might need to pay Jenkins to stay (reduced deal maybe?)....I keep forgetting John Williams. Can he be the answer somewhere? I loved his film.

Offensive line is 4/5 done I think for good or ill.

Morgan will be at LT. Belton will get RG unless they think Zach Tom's injuries are truly problematic. If Tom is on a prove your healthy plan then we likely get Belton with some RT snaps in camp. his contract might make that distinction irrelevant.

Monk got good reviews at center but given injury history I don't know if I trust him. I am not sure I trust Rhyan with the position either. Having center be covered by the two of them is the question of the offseason for the Packers.

Don't know what to think of Williams. Glover might be back next year on the outside but they need new backups at tackle. Rhyan would cover guard.

[pbmax]

TJ Slayton would look good right about now....yet one more thing I criticized at the time. He should have been resigned before going outside the organization to spend on guys like Hobbs and Banks.

Edit: I cut out a lot, but you said you don't feel like its a lack of baseline talent (or close to that). We lack OLine talent and CB talent pretty bad. And Quay is below average at off ball LB. And even with Wyatt we lack interior talent on the DL. We had a ton of chances to draft to that and go BPA. We whiffed consistently. When we drafted Cooper (jury still out on how good he will be) there were a LOT of talented interior DL available. When we drafted a backup RB there was a super talented off ball Peyton Wilson available. When we drafted Morgan to play RG there was Graham Barton available who had more experience there and a more matching skill set. Gutes has failed so often in the draft and now he can't even sign decent FAs after watching their film for several years. I just hate the direction of this roster right now.

I also don't dislike Hobbs. We just signed a slot guy to play outside. It failed. And Bullard is better in the slot and cheaper.

Slayton or Jarran Reed. Seriously when it rains it pours. They went pass rush Aces at a time when the offenses were falling in love with running again.

[bobblehead]

So I'll try and be a bit positive quickly. Things I love. Love is a real QB (I just like willis better). Kraft is the next Kittle. Our WR room is super deep even if we lose Doubs. Jacobs is a beast but he needs better blocking.

Our EDGE room is incredible even if we cut Gary. Van Ness needs more snaps inside this week. We need to bring back Enagbare, but I like what Sorrel and Oliver flashed, time will tell. Our CBs lack one shutdown guy. We have some depth if we find that guy. Safety could use a little more depth, but you have to like the starters.

The team is only 3 players away from being top tier. The problem is we don't have a first next year and we have no money so I'm not sure where we get a shutdown CB not named APB or a TJ Slayton replacement. Off ball LB depth is hurting so we are going to need to draft a few instinctive guys in the 5th round, but that at least is achievable. The OL isn't going to get fixed unless Belton and Morgan both take big leaps. Then you might need to pay Jenkins to stay (reduced deal maybe?)....I keep forgetting John Williams. Can he be the answer somewhere? I loved his film.

[bobblehead]

So I am not ready to throw him out yet. He needs to repair the holes that developed with Clark's trade and Wyatt's injury to shore up the interior (seriously they do not have a starting caliber 0 tech).

TJ Slayton would look good right about now....yet one more thing I criticized at the time. He should have been resigned before going outside the organization to spend on guys like Hobbs and Banks.

Edit: I cut out a lot, but you said you don't feel like its a lack of baseline talent (or close to that). We lack OLine talent and CB talent pretty bad. And Quay is below average at off ball LB. And even with Wyatt we lack interior talent on the DL. We had a ton of chances to draft to that and go BPA. We whiffed consistently. When we drafted Cooper (jury still out on how good he will be) there were a LOT of talented interior DL available. When we drafted a backup RB there was a super talented off ball Peyton Wilson available. When we drafted Morgan to play RG there was Graham Barton available who had more experience there and a more matching skill set. Gutes has failed so often in the draft and now he can't even sign decent FAs after watching their film for several years. I just hate the direction of this roster right now.

I also don't dislike Hobbs. We just signed a slot guy to play outside. It failed. And Bullard is better in the slot and cheaper.

[pbmax]

Bobble has laid out in detail what he sees (and I think there is some general agreement judging by reply posts) about Gutekunst's shortcomings in player acquisition.

However,

Outside of the Ravens* game, I have never felt the Packers were outclassed by the opponents talent level. When opponents caused me to worry about talent disparity, the game plays out much more even than I expect. The defense is often the source of this belief. But sometimes, especially early in the season, it was the quick scoring offense.

So I am not ready to throw him out yet. He needs to repair the holes that developed with Clark's trade and Wyatt's injury to shore up the interior (seriously they do not have a starting caliber 0 tech). He needs a plan B and C because the FA signing of Hobbs** didn't cover them at CB. And they HAVE to figure out the Center and Left Tackle positions next year without the mis-steps that plagued them with the O line shuffle this year. But week in and week out, as the Defense surrenders too much field position and the offense whiffs in the red zone or just misfires for 2 quarters*** I don't think its a baseline talent problem with the team.

They just need to miss on fewer players next year.


* Ravens game was just brutal but even then was unit and scheme specific. They were outclassed inside and weak tacklers in the secondary were exposed. They had backups to backups in the D line, so I don't exactly expect a repeat, but that was the only time I thought they were sunk on a talent level. Even then technique and fits made it worse which isn't as much of an issue with starters. The Panthers game was similar with Dowdle, but their offense is so limited the gap seemed bridgeable.

** Hobbs had some encouraging words yesterday, might be mostly fan service, but his attitude seems right and he has not devolved into a head case. Frankly, I don't like the contract but I also wouldn't quit watching if he ends up coming back. I'm saying there is a chance. The only problem here is that the Packers need a CB or two who can play man.

*** In retrospect, the advice I would give the offense is to sit Jacobs for four weeks and let Brooks and Wilson handle it until Josh was healthy.

[Teamcheez1]

Fascinating read about MLF/Gute extensions and coaching hires in general.

https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/green-bay-packers-news/77772/adam-schefter-packers-priority-is-to-extend-matt-lafleur-brian-gutekunst#comments

[texaspackerbacker]

oops hahahaha - $6.25 is about what Hobbs is worth. I bet he couldn't even do a good job of flipping burgers.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

Hobbs has actually managed to be as bad or worse than Nixon. Do NOT give him that $6.25. Show his ass the door.

I am fine with the Packers paying Hobbs $6.25 and showing him the door. $6.25 is not even the minimum-wage.

Cut Hobbs and keep Diggs. I reckon, “TD” (Diggs) would be shutdown corner like that other “TD” (Tank Duke) playing alongside his buddy Peerless Parsons. I mean, no one in the state of Wisconsin could shut down Darren Charles til Tank Duke did it.

And trade The Frog (LaFleur) for The Genius (Mike McDaniel)!

[texaspackerbacker]

Hobbs has actually managed to be as bad or worse than Nixon. Do NOT give him that $6.25. Show his ass the door.

[pbmax]

What Is Next for Nate Hobbs?
Whether that next opportunity will be with the Packers in 2026 remains to be seen.

The four-year, $48 million contract he signed really was a one-year-and-go-from-there deal. He is due a $6.25 million roster bonus at the start of the league-year. If the Packers were to release him rather than pay the bonus, they’d save $1.05 million against the cap.

That’s not much money from a cap perspective, and it’s not as if the Packers are loaded with talented young cornerbacks. On the other hand, Hobbs struggled as a perimeter cornerback – injuries might have had a hand in it – and Javon Bullard has solidified his spot as the nickel defender.

Sounds like this could be available for cost cutting?

[Anti-Polar Bear]

Tom Pelissero
@TomPelissero

The Dolphins requested an interview with Packers VP of Player Personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan for their GM job, per source.

Trade LaFleur straight up for Mike McDaniel! About time the Packers get another Black head coach.

McDaniel is a genius, I reckon.

[pbmax]

Tom Pelissero
@TomPelissero

The Dolphins requested an interview with Packers VP of Player Personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan for their GM job, per source.

Dammit Troy Aikman!

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/troy-aikmans-future-espn-revealed-013000750.html

[Joemailman]

Tom Pelissero
@TomPelissero

The Dolphins requested an interview with Packers VP of Player Personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan for their GM job, per source.

[bobblehead]

A vet starting LT will be too costly. They need to get young and cheap. Morgan or someone will need to step up.

Going to the theme of resting guys from the other thread I'd start Morgan at LT. Gotta see if he still looks as solid as he did against some starters in the fake games. I pray they didn't screw this kid up.

[pbmax]

I have to revisit Rasheed Walker. I think they need to lock this guy up. I know that I probably fueled the "Morgan is the future at LT" fire more than most and I do believe in him, but I have to ask a question.....if he's not a step down from Walker why isn't he even getting practice snaps there. I am terrified they fucked this kid up by trying to force his round ass into a square slot.

I think they need to start doing a little rotation at LT right now to make sure they can let Walker leave. This team has just taken WAY the fuck too long to figure out what I said on draft day. Belton is the RG of the future and Morgan is the LT of the future. They both lost a campful of snaps at the position they need work on. Morgan continues to not be able to focus on his future position. And I have to ask....was Rhyan a center all along?

I do like the makeup of the current OL believe it or not. If Belton continues to improve and they all gel as a unit the talent is finally in the right spots...but seriously pay Walker right now or start rotating Morgan in.

A vet starting LT will be too costly. They need to get young and cheap. Morgan or someone will need to step up.