Green Bay’s Top Three Offseason Needs
With the Green Bay Packers officially out of the Super Bowl LIX sweepstakes, they need to focus their efforts on the next season. For the Packers, it typically involves drafting and developing, but in the past year, they have branched out, and it paid off with players like Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney, who elevated the talent on the roster. Whether general manager Brian Gutekunst decides to address these needs through free agency or draft, it is important they don’t get put on the backlog.
An Impact Edge Rusher
Green Bay’s pass rush is simply hit or miss, quite literally and figuratively. Throughout the season, the Packers’ glaring need for a one-man show in the pass rush grew. While their young edge rushers showed glimpses of promise, Gutekunst needs to find himself an edge rusher who can win those hard matchups and bring it every game. An edge rusher of Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett’s caliber would be the final infinity ring in the gauntlet. If this wishful thinking is out of the question, then Green Bay should find someone who can deliver who is affordable, or a high draft pick who can make a difference from day one. The reality is if the Packers want to win now, they need to get players who are ready to wreak havoc from day one and not players still adjusting to the league.
Cornerbacks
The Packers have invested a lot in cornerbacks in recent years, but it looks to be time to upgrade yet again. While Jaire Alexander is a reliable star cornerback, his availability has been about as present as McDonald’s ice cream machine at night. The injuries are not his fault in any way, but at the end of the day, it is a business. Workers must be able to work their shifts, or else they will find someone else who can, and Alexander has only played 15 of the last 37 games because of four injuries.
If Alexander leaves during the offseason, then this position needs some serious TLC. Both Eric Stokes and Corey Ballentine have expiring contracts, leaving the cornerback situation with just Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine on the outside. Though the draft could always produce a gem, free agency also has some shiny options like Carlton Davis, Charvarius Ward, D.J. Reed, and Byron Murphy. Gutekunst knows how much one player can upgrade a position after investing in McKinney, and who knows who could be the next game-changer in the secondary.
A Reliable Wide Receiver
The Packers have had moments when the passing game clicks, but they've also experienced their fair share of struggles. This does not necessarily mean going out and spending all the money, but more so acquiring a wide receiver who Jordan Love can trust to produce week in and week out. Deep threat Christian Watson suffered a torn ACL, which will leave him out for the count next season for some time. Not to mention, both Watson and Romeo Doubs are entering contract seasons in 2025, leaving some of their best receiver talent’s future up in the air. Whether it is found in free agency or the draft, Love needs a go-to target if their offense wants to ever consistently click.
For the first time in forever, the Packers finally have some big bucks to spend, thanks to trading away the legendary old man Aaron Rodgers. This financial freedom allows general manager Gutekunst to do whatever it takes to transform this promising young team into a team that even the Chiefs and the refs fear. The next step all starts with upgrading at edge rusher, cornerback, and wide receiver positions. Green Bay was a couple of strong pieces away from being some of the top dogs, and now it is all about finding the finishing puzzle pieces.
