2025 NFL Offseason Primer: Green Bay Packers

Logan Ulrich

February 25, 2025

Green Bay Packers

Projected Cap Space: $46.1 million

Draft Picks: 8

1st (No. 23)
2nd (No. 54)
3rd (No. 87)
4th (No. 123)
5th (No. 160)
6th (No. 199)
7th (No. 239, PIT)
7th (No. 253, comp)

Notable Free Agents:

Top Three Needs

1 – Cornerback

The Packers don’t have many glaring weaknesses but a position group that stands out as one that needs attention going into 2025 is cornerback. Stokes is set to be a free agent and there’s a good chance the former first-rounder isn’t back. At this point, the Packers also seem likely to move on from CB Jaire Alexander after injuries have limited him to 14 games over the past two seasons. That leaves Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon as the two starters outside, with 2024 second-round DB Javon Bullard in the nickel.

Valentine has blown away expectations as a former seventh-round pick and should get credit for that. Nixon has also worked his way into a full-time starting role on defense after being initially signed just for special teams, and last year he made the transition from slot corner to outside corner over the course of the season. That was partially due to injuries, partially to make way for Bullard, who the Packers were converting from college safety to nickel defender with some rocky results.

There’s room for growth here. However, unless two or more of these players take significant leaps forward, the Packers secondary would be a weakness compared to the rest of the league. That’s a tough thing for GM Brian Gutekunst to leave to chance.

2 – Wide Receiver

The Packers talked up the young group of Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks heading into the 2024 season, arguing they didn’t need a No. 1 receiver thanks to the collective strength and depth of the receiving corps plus the rest of the skill positions. Unfortunately, it didn’t pan out how Green Bay envisioned.

While every one of those players flashed at different points, as a group they were far too inconsistent over the course of the season. The Packers had the second-worst drop percentage in the NFL and were 30th in pass attempts — partially because of the success of the ground game but partially out of a desire to minimize the passing game’s inconsistency. Opponents played man coverage against the Packers at one of the highest rates in the league, showing no fear of the team’s receivers.

With Watson’s torn ACL in January potentially putting him on ice for a significant chunk of the upcoming season, the need for help at receiver is amplified. Reed, Wicks and Doubs are all 25 or younger, so it’s possible they could develop more. But the Packers need more reliability from their pass catchers and more ability to beat man coverage. Whether free agency or the draft or both is the best avenue to address that need will be one of their top challenges this offseason.

3 – Offensive Line

Both sides of the line of scrimmage could use some attention for the Packers but how much depends on how big of a leap the team thinks some of the younger players under contract can take — a big theme for the Packers in 2025. A differentiating factor for the offensive line is some of the expiring contracts, including Myers this offseason and players like RT Zach Tom, LT Rasheed Walker and OL Sean Rhyan next offseason. All four are starters.

There are candidates already on the roster to take over for Myers and the Packers have cap space to re-sign him to an extension if they want. Tom will be a priority for an extension after a stellar 2024 season. Green Bay used a first-round pick on Jordan Morgan last year and he could be a factor to replace either Rhyan or Walker after playing just six games with one start as a rookie. But more help will be needed. The Packers could dip into the free agent market to add veteran depth while looking to the draft for long-term successors at some of these spots.

One Big Question

Can the Packers grow into their potential?

By a lot of measures, the 2024 season was a successful one for the Packers. The team finished 11-6 and made the playoffs. Green Bay was a top-ten team on both sides of the ball, finishing No. 8 in scoring and No. 6 in points allowed along with No. 5 in both total offense and total defense. The only team outside the NFC North to beat the Packers was the Eagles.

That said, Philadelphia beat the Packers twice, including a comfortable victory in the wildcard round. The Vikings and Lions also both swept Green Bay, and a Packers team that was a popular sleeper Super Bowl pick never really felt like a true Super Bowl contender. They were good — just not great.

Going forward, Green Bay has a fascinating challenge ahead of it. Their roster is stocked with young contributors on rookie contracts at just about every position group. Some of the team’s needs, like consistency at receiver or more pass rushers who can create disruption, could be filled by players already on the roster taking a step forward. The Packers have to walk the tightrope of not blocking a potential breakout while also leaving themselves covered in case a step forward doesn’t materialize.

Put another way, the Packers need to mature as a team. It’s not just about young players learning about the discipline it takes to have high-level NFL success, it’s about maximizing their potential and becoming difference-makers who know how to make the plays necessary to win games. There’s a ton of talent on the roster, including QB Jordan Love, Reed, Tom, RB Josh Jacobs, TE Tucker Kraft, DE Rashan Gary, DE Lukas Van Ness, DT Devonte Wyatt, LB Edgerrin Cooper, LB Quay Walker, S Xavier McKinney, S Evan Williams and more who have Pro Bowl or quality starter upside.