Green Bay Packers Got Good Value In Free Agency, Not Better
On Day 1 of free agency, the Green Bay Packers added two players on value contracts. However, they have yet to improve their team.
The Green Bay Packers got off to a scorching start in free agency on Monday by signing inside linebacker Christian Kirksey and right tackle Ricky Wagner. Both players were previously released by their teams so they were free to sign before free agency began. Both players also represent clear downgrades from the Packers’ previous starters at those positions.
Before you get too far, let me preface this whole article by saying this was just the first step to the puzzle. General manager Brian Gutekunst certainly has a lot of work to do and isn’t nearly finished yet. That’s clear.
There’s no doubting the value Green Bay got by adding the two players. Kirksey signed a two-year, $13 million contract with only $4 million guaranteed while Wagner agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal. Each player likely could’ve gotten more money had they searched elsewhere, however, their previous connections with the franchise (Kirksey played under Mike Pettine in Cleveland and Wagner’s from Wisconsin) likely helped lower the price tag.
Despite the tremendous value the Packers got, it’s clear Kirksey isn’t nearly the same type of player as Blake Martinez and likewise with Wagner and Bryan Bulaga.
Kirksey has only played in nine total games over the past two seasons and represents a significant injury risk. When he was last on the field in 2017, he was pretty good, but still not up to the level of Martinez.
Wagner is more durable than Bulaga, but isn’t nearly at the same level. When healthy, Bulaga dominated as we saw in 2019. Wagner will likely be available to play in more games due to good health, but is a clear downgrade in both run blocking and pass protection.
Next. Pros and Cons to Signing Ricky Wagner. dark
As previously mentioned, Green Bay did save a bunch of money with these two signings and there are more moves to come. According to Over The Cap, the Packers still have about $15 million remaining in cap space–just enough to make another splash signing.
If the Packers can upgrade other positions it will help make up for the downgrade their first two signings represent from the previous starters. Stay tuned for what’s to come!