A potential “dark horse” team is poised to make significant moves in the 2025 NFL offseason that could elevate their competitive standing. With nearly $40 million in cap space, the scrappy squad is uniquely positioned to be aggressive in free agency and trades.
According to SI’s Albert Breer, one NFC team has emerged as the most interesting one to watch this offseason:
“We’ve all discussed the amount of cap space teams such as the New England Patriots, Raiders and Washington Commanders have. One team I think is in an interesting spot? The Green Bay Packers, with nearly $40 million to work with, and maybe more if Jaire Alexander is gone. GM Brian Gutekunst has been more aggressive than Ted Thompson was (the Za’Darius Smith–Preston Smith splurge was an example), and has room to make a splashy move or two.”
Green Bay Packers’ Biggest Needs This Offseason
Offense
The Packers offense finished eighth in PFSN’s 2024 Offense+ Rankings, with Ben Rolfe noting:
“This was an odd season for the Packers, as their stellar record belied the fact that they never cracked the NFC’s elite tier. Green Bay went a collective 0-6 against the Eagles, Lions, and Minnesota Vikings. Love’s boom-or-bust play style delivered plenty of highs in 2024, but he’ll need to even that out for the Packers to truly return to Super Bowl contention.”
It didn’t help that Love’s top three wide receivers were lost to injury.
Wide Receiver
No Packers wideout had more than 55 catches or more than 857 receiving yards in 2024. Tight end Tucker Kraft led all targets in receiving touchdowns. A top-tier wideout like Tee Higgins (the top-ranked free agent in PFSN’s rankings) or Chris Godwin (fourth-highest ranked free agent overall) could be in play, especially with Christian Watson’s questionable recovery timeline from his January ACL tear.
Watson is one 33 Packers players who will be free agents in 2026. Fellow receiver Romeo Doubs will also hit free agency after the 2025 season. Only Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are signed beyond 2026.
Offensive Line
Injuries exposed a lack of depth along the offensive line in the playoffs. Center Josh Myers will be a free agent at the start of the new league year in March. Tackles Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker will be free agents in 2026.
There’s a wealth of centers hitting the open market that could be an upgrade from Myers:
Coleman Shelton: “He cut his pressure rate allowed from 5.5% in 2023 to 3.8% in 2024. He also cut his QB hits allowed from 11 in 2023 to five in 2024 and committed only three penalties after getting flagged five times in 2023.”
Ryan Kelly: “Kelly allowed a 3.6% pressure rate, which ranked 17th among 31 centers with at least 300 pass-blocking snaps.”
Drew Dalman: “When he did play, Dalman had his best season in pass protection. He allowed a career-best 3.7% pressure rate, a big improvement from his 5.7% pressure rate allowed in his first three seasons. He did commit three holding penalties after having none in 14 games in 2023, though that still represented an improvement from his five holding penalties in 2022.”
Would Green Bay splurge on free-agent guards Trey Smith (ranked second on PFSN’s Top 100 Free Agents) or Brandon Scherff (ranked 17th)?
Defense
The Packers’ defense finished 10th in PFSN’s 2024 Defense+ Rankings. Author Sterling Xie noted:
“This unit’s reliance on turnovers led to some massive games, but it also had limitations against the best offenses…Improving from their 20th-place ranking in pass defense success rate in 2025 would lead to a more sustainable unit.”
Cornerback
With Alexander’s future uncertain and Eric Stokes becoming a free agent, cornerback is a significant area of concern. Alexander missed 10 games in 2024 and will have cap hits of more than $25 million in 2025 and 2026.
Potential free-agent targets include:
Byron Murphy (No. 6-ranked free-agent cornerback): “He was targeted 119 times in coverage, allowing just a 76.7 passer rating when targeted. That ranked 18th among qualified corners this season.”
D.J. Reed (No. 8-ranked free-agent cornerback): “In terms of pure cover corners, D.J. Reed is perhaps the top option in free agency. While his passer rating allowed (87.1) ranked just 50th this season, it is his consistency that is key. That was the highest passer rating allowed by Reed since his second year in the league. That is five years with a passer rating allowed of 87.1 or lower.”
Carlton Davis (No. 14-ranked free-agent cornerback): “He is coming off the best season of his career, with a 77 passer rating allowed. Among qualified corners, that ranks 20th, and it is his fifth season in six years with a passer rating allowed below 90.”
With a young core that has shown promise, adding a few key veterans could be the catalyst that moves the needle for Green Bay. The team is well-positioned to surprise many by making “splashy” acquisitions that could reshape their roster and enhance their chances in the NFC North and beyond.
