Packers 2025 offseason

[jay87shot]

I think as of now we have 50ish million in salary cap space and can free up 20+ million with a couple simple restructures. Top free agents include Josh Myers, Isiah McDuffie, TJ Slaton, Brandon McManus, and Eric Stokes (some other minor players)

We can also save decent money with a post June 1 cut/trade of Jaire Alexander (like 6.8 million before June 1 and 17.1 post June 1).

Obviously it is hard to figure out how much a free agent will get on the market but let's here it.

[jay87shot]

Here is my plan.

1) re-sign McDuffie 2/8, McManus 2/5, and Slaton 2/7.

2)Trade Jaire post June 1 2026 3rd rounder and trade Romeo Doubs for a 2026 conditional 4th

3) Sign Chris Godwin 4/100, I think the Bengals use a 2nd tag on Higgins. Godwin doesn't drop balls, has good size, and would be a great possession reliever for us. 2nd option Davante Adams 2/40 (jets cut)

4) Sign Ryan Kelly 2/24  He might be past his prime but the veteran experience could be huge up the middle. 2nd option James Daniels 3/40? Could play C or shift Rhyan there

5) CB Paulson Adebo, 3/24 Broke his femur, but at 26 he the ability to be a solid #2 CB if doc's reports are good. 2nd option Bryon Murphy 3/42 more expensive but had 6 picks last year.

Draft

1) CB Benjamin Morrison. Adebo and Morrison replace Jaire and Stokes. There are probably 4-5 solid CB I like who could go here depending on the next couple months.

2) WR Jaydin Higgins. Big, productive, probably a good blocker. Godwin, Reed, Watson, and Higgins  make a super scary recieving Corp.

3) NT Nazir Stackhouse  We love our Georgia guys here is a Slaton replacement with some long term ability to replace Kenny Clark.

4)CB Jordan Hancock  Can't go wrong with OSU corners.

5)T Logan Brown.  Former Badger with interesting upside. In the 5th, would provide solid depth and upside.

6) TE CJ Dippre.  With Musgrave injuries some more TE depth would be nice.

7)WR Jamaal Pritchett.  Small but could be a solid upside pick who could contribute as a return man early.

I think we will probably have 2 more 7ths but I'll leave at at this.

 

[Brian]

Nick Solak of ESPN believes that the Packers should trade Doubs, who was suspended by the Packers early in the season for conduct detrimental to the team, to the Seattle Seahawks for DK Metcalf, who may not be too thrilled about his own role on that roster:

“While I love the versatility of the Packers’ wide receiver room (when it is healthy), they could use a clear WR1 who can take over games with consistent eight-plus-target outings. Expect them to be in the Tee Higgins hunt, but if getting him gets too expensive for them, they could package someone like Romeo Doubs — who will be in the final year of his rookie deal in 2025 — to grab a frustrated star from another team. Garrett Wilson? DK Metcalf? I’d bet on the latter.”

https://wisportsheroics.com/green-bay-packers-romeo-doubs-dk-metcalf/

 

[adambr2]

I don’t know how much we’d have to add to Doubs to get DK but it would definitely have to be something.

[Fear The Chorizo]

49 minutes ago, adambr2 said:

I don’t know how much we’d have to add to Doubs to get DK but it would definitely have to be something.

If they take on all of Metcalf's contract, a late 2nd/early 3rd rounder sounds about right + Doubs....although that assumes Doubs' multiple concussions late this year aren't a longterm concern.  Knowing whoever would trade for Doubs would likely need to extend him diminishes his value even further.

[homer]

 

[HarryDoyle]

Looks like Rich Bisaccia isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Not excited about Getsy either.

Report: Packers extend Rich Bisaccia, hire Luke Getsy

[Joseph Zarr]

 

6 minutes ago, HarryDoyle said:

Looks like Rich Bisaccia isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Not excited about Getsy either.

Report: Packers extend Rich Bisaccia, hire Luke Getsy

Kind of business as usual in GB, no? Not saying these are good moves in any way but LaFleur loves his guys and Bisaccia was an Asst HC. Getsy has familiarity and was well-liked. The real area of need is the trenches. And, then, some type of miraculous evolution in LaFleur's clock management, in-game adjustments, and ability to meet the biggest moments and dictate. Until LaFleur evolves and improves upon his shortcomings and the players cease making routine mistakes I'm not so sure any of the rest carries as much weight?

 

[HarryDoyle]

7 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

 

Kind of business as usual in GB, no? Not saying these are good moves in any way but LaFleur loves his guys and Bisaccia was an Asst HC. Getsy has familiarity and was well-liked. The real area of need is the trenches. And, then, some type of miraculous evolution in LaFleur's clock management, in-game adjustments, and ability to meet the biggest moments and dictate. Until LaFleur evolves and improves upon his shortcomings and the players cease making routine mistakes I'm not so sure any of the rest carries as much weight?

 

Then you're not going to like this one bit. 

Yes, the guy who couldn't communicate with MLF on whether to kick the field goal or go for it against the Bears is going to be his game management advisor.

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, HarryDoyle said:

Then you're not going to like this one bit. 

Yes, the guy who couldn't communicate with MLF on whether to kick the field goal or go for it against the Bears is going to be his game management advisor.

OR maybe it's a case of LaFleur is that bad standing alone? 😳

[OldHeidelberg]

I would say MLF realizing he needs help in game management is a positive. Most head coaches won't admit it and continue to make the same mistakes. A ST coach seems like a good guy to have in that role too.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

21 minutes ago, OldHeidelberg said:

I would say MLF realizing he needs help in game management is a positive. Most head coaches won't admit it and continue to make the same mistakes. A ST coach seems like a good guy to have in that role too.

It is the choice that is a bit unsettling. I can accept that nobody here really knows what Bisaccia's role really is, but he hasn't exactly wowed anyone with that ST unit. I am not going to blame him for NFL kickers missing chipshots and Nixon fumbling kickoffs, but they get called for holding on touchbacks and fair catches and then we had that snafu in Week 18. Those things are on coaching.

A game management coordinator seems like it would be suited to someone younger and well versed in analytics who hasn't grown up in the game under the old regimes and isn't swayed by conventional wisdom.

I will echo other thoughts that I don't think MLF is a bad coach, but I think he is going to be fired in the next 3 years. After the 2026 season is the first time I could realistically see it happening. I don't think he makes great decisions in games and they are routinely flat with their opening sequences in marquee games. He has a lot in common with Mike McCarthy, honestly.

[Joseph Zarr]

3 hours ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

It is the choice that is a bit unsettling. I can accept that nobody here really knows what Bisaccia's role really is, but he hasn't exactly wowed anyone with that ST unit. I am not going to blame him for NFL kickers missing chipshots and Nixon fumbling kickoffs, but they get called for holding on touchbacks and fair catches and then we had that snafu in Week 18. Those things are on coaching.

A game management coordinator seems like it would be suited to someone younger and well versed in analytics who hasn't grown up in the game under the old regimes and isn't swayed by conventional wisdom.

I will echo other thoughts that I don't think MLF is a bad coach, but I think he is going to be fired in the next 3 years. After the 2026 season is the first time I could realistically see it happening. I don't think he makes great decisions in games and they are routinely flat with their opening sequences in marquee games. He has a lot in common with Mike McCarthy, honestly.

Agreed on all points here. Well said. LaFleur wasn't on the hot seat, per se, this past season. Isn't on the hot seat today. BUT, I do think Gutekunst is aware of LaFleur's current shortcomings. It seems as simple as: IF the Packers continue to come out flat and continue to make routine mistakes and their HC continues to mismanage the clock and in-game strategy in crucial spots...the hot seat will be pulled out of the storage closet. I think that's fair to say. I think it's also fair to point to LaFleur's overall consistent success (worthy of celebration) as the buffer while also acknowledging he seems to lack that 'it' (or, perhaps, it has remained very elusive) to push the Packers over the hump. I hope he finds it. The organization can only excuse the repeated shortcomings in big games and big moments for  so long. They can only over-rely on the 'we're the youngest team' for so long. If Championships are the measuring tool? Well we just about went 0-6 in their division. They have fallen down the NFC North totem pole. The pressure is the highest it has been.

It's kind of like I say in the real world:

How about drive the speed limit, and maintain it consistently (gasp!), first. Then we can branch out into complexities.

With the Packers? How about we catch the football and stop shooting ourselves in the foot repeatedly with mistakes. Then we can talk about banners and championships.

😅

[Underachiever]

3 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

...the hot seat will be pulled out of the storage closet.

Is the hot seat always hot, even in the storage closet? Or do you have to heat it when you bring it out? Because if I was LaFleur and I saw the hot seat pulled out of the closet, maybe plugged in to heat it up, I would be concerned. I definitely wouldn't sit in it if I were him.

Next, perhaps you could answer my questions about playing smashmouth football, which I think would be a penalty, probably for hands to the face. 

[Joseph Zarr]

2 hours ago, Underachiever said:

Is the hot seat always hot, even in the storage closet? Or do you have to heat it when you bring it out? Because if I was LaFleur and I saw the hot seat pulled out of the closet, maybe plugged in to heat it up, I would be concerned. I definitely wouldn't sit in it if I were him.

Next, perhaps you could answer my questions about playing smashmouth football, which I think would be a penalty, probably for hands to the face. 

My back is against the wall with this retort. Going to give it 110% in my reply.

Green Bay possesses what is called 'The Original Hot Seat' (TM). What actually differentiates this hot seat from, say, Jacksonville's? Well, that's tricky. But, then again, the NF of L is a tricky business. I personally fall back on an old family aphorism shared by my late (and, some in the Milwaukee Police Force of the 1950's might say great) Grandpa George: "No seat is too hot for a man of principle." Now, he also was known to exclaim: "If it don't pay rent, out with it!" followed by an egregious resonating flatulent. What I'm getting at here is life itself is smashmouth - football a mere mirror. I suggest you self reflect in said mirror, consider your pad level - heck, consider everything - and contemplate how the hot seat would feel in your life. What sensations arise (PG please)? Do you possess the mettle to handle this seat in a pair of polyester slacks? Corduroy? Now we're getting somewhere.

 

[Underachiever]

16 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

My back is against the wall with this retort. Going to give it 110% in my reply.

Green Bay possesses what is called 'The Original Hot Seat' (TM). What actually differentiates this hot seat from, say, Jacksonville's? Well, that's tricky. But, then again, the NF of L is a tricky business. I personally fall back on an old family aphorism shared by my late (and, some in the Milwaukee Police Force of the 1950's might say great) Grandpa George: "No seat is too hot for a man of principle." Now, he also was known to exclaim: "If it don't pay rent, out with it!" followed by an egregious resonating flatulent. What I'm getting at here is life itself is smashmouth - football a mere mirror. I suggest you self reflect in said mirror, consider your pad level - heck, consider everything - and contemplate how the hot seat would feel in your life. What sensations arise (PG please)? Do you possess the mettle to handle this seat in a pair of polyester slacks? Corduroy? Now we're getting somewhere.

 

I'm nodding and stroking my chin thoughtfully as I read this. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Mannion promoted to FT QB Coach. 
 

Packers get their DL coach. 
 

The strength of the coaching staff would appear to get even stronger.

[CheezWizHed]

Kind of surprised about Covington given the connections with MLF others have had before him... but even if you hate Belichick, someone being his DL coach for 4 years couldn't be terrible. 

[HarryDoyle]

 Liam Coen hired Packers linebackers coach/run game coordinator Anthony Campanile to be the team's defensive coordinator.

"Anthony Campanile represents exactly what we want to be as a defensive unit and football team," Coen said in a statement Thursday. "He brings an aggressive defensive mindset and a system that is adaptable to our players and allows them to play fast and physical."

[Joseph Zarr]

8 hours ago, HarryDoyle said:

 Liam Coen hired Packers linebackers coach/run game coordinator Anthony Campanile to be the team's defensive coordinator.

"Anthony Campanile represents exactly what we want to be as a defensive unit and football team," Coen said in a statement Thursday. "He brings an aggressive defensive mindset and a system that is adaptable to our players and allows them to play fast and physical."

It doesn't feel great to lose the LB coach who helped Cooper show out like he did. He also seemed to play a part in Quay starting to flash like we'd never seen him consistently flash before. Here's hoping they keep that ball rolling. The early speculation saw the likelihood of an in-house replacement via Hafley's former BC LB coach (and, ultimately, assistant D-Coordinator with BC in 2023 apparently) and current Packers defensive assistant in Sean Duggan. 

[OldHeidelberg]

3 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

It doesn't feel great to lose the LB coach who helped Cooper show out like he did. He also seemed to play a part in Quay starting to flash like we'd never seen him consistently flash before. Here's hoping they keep that ball rolling. The early speculation saw the likelihood of an in-house replacement via Hafley's former BC LB coach (and, ultimately, assistant D-Coordinator with BC in 2023 apparently) and current Packers defensive assistant in Sean Duggan. 

Is Cooper the plan at MLB going forward? He had some coverage deficiencies for sure and is a bit undersized for MLB but seems like a player that is so good you have to keep him out there every play. If not, maybe a there is a vet MLB out there in FA. I think Gutes blew it not bringing one in last offseason with the scheme change. I don't want to count on Quay again. 

[CheezWizHed]

53 minutes ago, OldHeidelberg said:

Is Cooper the plan at MLB going forward? He had some coverage deficiencies for sure and is a bit undersized for MLB but seems like a player that is so good you have to keep him out there every play. If not, maybe a there is a vet MLB out there in FA. I think Gutes blew it not bringing one in last offseason with the scheme change. I don't want to count on Quay again. 

My hope is that Cooper moves to MLB, but I'm guessing we won't know until TC. 

I think part of Walker's struggles are trying to coordinate and communicate with everyone else while trying to diagnose his own responsibilities.  I think he would be much better if he can simply play are react.  But perhaps that is why Cooper was able to make so many plays also? 

I doubt we will see any vet brought in to start at MLB save for Wilson (or similar level backup) returning. I'll guess McDuffie returns on the cheap side or we will see the "-er" LB core of Walker-Copper-Hopper with Wilson as the backup and a draft pick/UDFA/vet minimum FA being the 5th LBer. 

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, OldHeidelberg said:

Is Cooper the plan at MLB going forward? He had some coverage deficiencies for sure and is a bit undersized for MLB but seems like a player that is so good you have to keep him out there every play. If not, maybe a there is a vet MLB out there in FA. I think Gutes blew it not bringing one in last offseason with the scheme change. I don't want to count on Quay again. 

I would have to think given what we saw in limited snaps as a rookie - it was a pretty historical season for the rook when all was said and done - he's a shoe-in Day 1 starter next year. He was dominant and pretty much moved and reacted at a different speed than every other Packer in the front 7. There might be lingering size and nagging injury issues in the years ahead but that can't deter from the fact he was special when healthy and getting consistent snaps.

The Quay thing is sure a thing. The Packers obviously love him and believe in his abilities - first rounder and consistently pushed into that starter role even when underperforming (which I think is just plain easy to admit: he has vastly underperformed given his draft status). He flashed in the latter portion of the seasons and was playing his best ball and then, well, got injured. I think he has a boon playing in Hafley's defense and I certainly hope the end of this past season is a sign of things to come. Hard to say if the light turned on. We just haven't seen anything of lasting consistency at any phase of his career. He is young. He is insanely strong and athletic. We just have to hope he continues to learn to play at the speed he innately has. If he can? That's a game changer. Up til now, I think it's fair to say the Walker experience has by and large been predominantly fool's gold. 

I have absolutely zero idea what their plan is in terms of adding depth. As @CheezWizHed alludes to, they still have a coveted draft investment in Hopper so they obviously loved him heading into last year's draft. You have three young athletic guys there. As to the vet additions or continuity, I think you could do worse than McDuffie and Wilson. I think they're fine for what they are and they even flash from time-to-time. They seem like very likable vet locker room and ST guys as well. But, truthfully, I have no idea what their plan is there. Do they grab another LB in this year's draft? 

[LouisEly]

Yeah, but that's pressures, not sacks.  Only sacks count!

ONLY SACKS COUNT!!!

[BrewerFan]

On 1/19/2025 at 12:29 AM, jay87shot said:

Here is my plan.

1) re-sign McDuffie 2/8, McManus 2/5, and Slaton 2/7.

2)Trade Jaire post June 1 2026 3rd rounder and trade Romeo Doubs for a 2026 conditional 4th

3) Sign Chris Godwin 4/100, I think the Bengals use a 2nd tag on Higgins. Godwin doesn't drop balls, has good size, and would be a great possession reliever for us. 2nd option Davante Adams 2/40 (jets cut)

4) Sign Ryan Kelly 2/24  He might be past his prime but the veteran experience could be huge up the middle. 2nd option James Daniels 3/40? Could play C or shift Rhyan there

5) CB Paulson Adebo, 3/24 Broke his femur, but at 26 he the ability to be a solid #2 CB if doc's reports are good. 2nd option Bryon Murphy 3/42 more expensive but had 6 picks last year.

 

We have the cap space(~40M is the number I've seen), but I think that number is misleading, or needs context. I think every NFCN team has more cap space. . We've got a really young team, but with that...obviously you'll need to extend players. Zach Tom is a guy we have to get done. I'd guess 4/100 is the starting point. It's always easier if you can roll that remaining year into it. 5/102 or whatever would be ideal. 40 SB. Get that position locked down.

I think Slaton is going to be more in the 3-years 24M type range. I don't know if he's worth that or not. He's coming off a down year by PFF standards, but a big guy who can play the run...I'd be very surprised to see him get 3.5 over two years.

Godwin is nice, but if you're spending 25M a year, I'd rather go after a guy who compliments this offense more. That's DK Metcalf or another guy with elite speed.

Garrett Wilson would be a great choice as well(I'd love is Rodgers burns that bridge in NY) though I don't know what the cost would be. Should probably be a 1st, but then you're also going to have to pay him. He's the most talented potential addition...IMO.

 

In the draft, Mbow, the OT from Purdue or Zabel(voted best player at the Sr Bowl) are two guys I think could come in and start at center right away. Both are definitely Packers type players given their versatility. If you don't find a CB in Rd1 who you like, I'd move back 10-15 spots in this draft. 

 

I'd hold onto Jaire for another year. I don't think it's smart to try and rebuild that whole CB group. I have no doubt if we could do it over again, we'd have made a move for Mitchell last year when he got past #20. Philly was able to add two rookies who slid right in at CB, but they also had Darius Slay and then a front that was dominant.

 

I'd prioritize the draft as follows

DT, OL(I don't care which positions, but you need a better center than we have and I would expect Morgan to be much better in Yr2) and obviously CB.

I'm all for Morrison in the 1st if he grades out well enough. Someone like Kenneth Grant could be a great addition.

BUT, if there were a trade, for instance, Chicago wanted to move up, I'd gladly trade #23 for #42+#44. Pick up one of those OL and and a guy like Deone Walker. He's a freak who also dominated the Sr. Bowl, he plays hard and has rare physical traits. He won't test like Jordan Davis, but he may have better get off and short area quickness.