Green Bay Packers Offseason Grade: Did Gutekunst Do Enough to Keep Pace in the NFC North?
This offseason was a reversion to the mean for the Green Bay Packers.
Historically, the Packers have largely sat out the top of the free agent market, save for establishing it in the first place by signing future Hall of Famer Reggie White for $17 million over four seasons, back in 1993.
But, last season, general manager Brian Gutekunst and Green Bay struck absolute gold when they inked Xavier McKinney to a $67 million pact and Josh Jacobs to a $48 million deal.
McKinney went on to become an All-Pro for the first time in his career, emerging as a vital playmaker and force multiplier in his first year in defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s system, which is predicated on elite play from the secondary. And, Jacobs became a tone-setter on offense, returning to form while rushing for 1,329 yards and a career-high 15 touchdowns.
Last offseason, the Packers made two bombastic signings at the very top of two of the most expensive markets, departing from longstanding organizational character. So, by comparison, signing cornerback Nate Hobbs, offensive lineman Aaron Banks, and kicker Brandon McManus feels more like business as usual as Green Bay leaned heavily into adding quality depth and what Gutekunst and Co. hope are instant-impact contributors via the NFL Draft.
What I Liked About The Green Bay Packers’ Offseason
If there is such a thing as “The Packer Way” it is that a core value of the organization has become mining talent with elite upside in the NFL Draft, especially on offense, developing them into star caliber players around Jordan Love, and then preventing them from reaching free agency if they reach their potential.
Green Bay has restarted that cycle at wide receiver by choosing Matthew Golden in the first round and Savion Williams in Round 3.
Golden’s 4.29 speed is going to take the top off defenses, and create opportunities for rising tight end Tucker Kraft to operate underneath. Perhaps Golden’s presence even creates a cushion for Jacobs to take advantage of the respect defenses need to pay the former Texas standout’s field-stretching ability, in an offense that led the league in explosive plays last season.
Likewise, Williams has the 6-foot-4 and 220-pound frame to be a true possession receiver and the explosiveness to be a big-play factory after the catch.
Leading up to the NFL Draft, I had Golden as the No. 3.5 wide receiver (because Travis Hunter may be a wideout or he may be a corner), and No. 9 overall offensive prospect in this class.
The Packers created a bit of a logjam at receiver, but may have potentially upgraded Love’s supporting cast in the process.
Drafting well and developing the roster is simply what the Packers do.
Similarly, Green Bay’s aggressiveness in signing Banks deserves some praise.
Banks, 27, was only charged with allowing one sack last season, and his experience playing in Kyle Shanahan’s offense should make a smooth transition into Matt LaFleur and the Packers’ scheme. That Banks garnered a strong 68.9 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus offers some hope that Jacobs may have an even more dominant 2025 campaign, thanks to his presence up front.
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One team’s trash may be another’s gold nugget.
What Worries Me About the Green Bay Packers’ Offseason, 2025 Outlook
The Packers reside in the most competitive division in football.
Last season, the NFC North sent three teams to the playoffs, with the Packers falling to the Eagles in the Wild Card round. And, the Chicago Bears got markedly better just by hiring Ben Johnson as head coach to shepherd Caleb Williams’ development even before fortifying their offensive line with Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson, and All-Pro Joe Thuney and a gangbusters NFL Draft surrounding their former No. 1 overall pick with potentially elite pass-catchers.
The point here, is that Green Bay improved incrementally via free agency and possibly the NFL Draft, and the Packers are betting big that second-year stars like linebacker Edgerrin Cooper can become an All-Pro, and that Javon Bullard makes a leap in his second year playing alongside McKinney, as the player development aspect of their philosophy shifts into overdrive.
However, will adding Nate Hobbs to the secondary, as the marquee addition to the cornerback room, after Pro Football Focus points out that quarterbacks posted a 96.3 passer rating when throwing at him, really be an impactful enough counterpunch to what the Bears did, or what the Vikings have, or narrow the gap on the Lions’ receiving corps?
This might be nitpicking, but it sure feels like the Packers could have been a bit more aggressive in free agency, but this could all become moot if Hafley turns Hobbs into a Pro Bowler.
Green Bay Packers’ Offseason Grade: A-
If we’re judging the Packers’ offseason in 2025 against the blending of top-of-market signings in 2024 and a strong draft, this spring is obviously a letdown.
But, that would be unfair. Especially given how significant a departure last year was to how this organization has managed to create decades worth of consistent success.
Besides, edge rushers Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver have the potential to crack Hafley’s rotation and contribute meaningful snaps right away. Plus, Gutekunst and the Packers needed to significantly upgrade Love’s receiving corps after how last season ended, and with Christian Watson on the shelf with a torn ACL suffered in the regular season finale.
Continuing to add weapons for and improving the offensive line in front of Love is a recipe for setting Green Bay’s franchise quarterback up to keep taking steps in his development while the young playmakers on defense grow together under Hafley’s watch feels like a balanced strategy to build a consistent contender, which is what the Packers have been for the past three decades.
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In Case You Missed It
I think the reason they didn’t do more in FA is because they bet on themselves with player development and their RT, Zach Tom is due for an extension. Lloyd needs to see the field, he was an explosive weapon at USC. Need to see more. My biggest concern is LT. Walker is a 7th round pick that is inconsistent and if Jordan Morgan can’t slot into it, not sure what the long-term plan is.
The 2024 draft lingers over this year. RB Marshawn Lynch sat out most of last year with various injuries including an apicectomy. He'll take the reps this year at RB2. OL Jordan Morgan will compete for playing time on the offensive line. And most importantly, LB Edgerrin Cooper will be on the field fulltime from the season's first kickoff. S Evan Williams will man up next to McKinney and Bullard will have to fight for time as the slot CB. The new D line coach might rev up the pass rush.
The Packer offense needs to settle on its top four WRs and play them. Musgrave and Kraft are both weapons. A healthy Love needs to incorporate a few more chain-moving scrambles into his game and settle for shorter, surer chain-moving passes when appropriate. The explosive plays will come. I'd like to see Love show a little more bark on the field, not to point fingers at teammates, more a "let's go!" approach on the field. Set the tone.
Gonna be a great year!