Green Bay Packers: 5 Big Questions Heading into Free Agency

What will free agency look like for the Green Bay Packers?

For a team that finds themselves $11.5 million over the projected salary cap, on the surface, dabbling in free agency doesn’t seem to be a likely option. But in this offseason, with a shrunken salary cap and many veteran cuts, the opportunity for the Green Bay Packers to make some additions is there.

The free-agent market is going to be flooded with veteran players who were cut by their teams in lieu of cap space, and there’s going to be a number of teams who, like the Packers, aren’t in a position to spend big money. This means many players will be forced into shorter-term and cheaper contracts than what they’d likely receive in a normal offseason. And that is where Green Bay enters the picture.

Now, I wouldn’t be expecting any major additions, but I do believe that if the opportunity to add a veteran player or two to the mix is there, the Green Bay Packers are in a position to do so. And in an interview last week with reporters, Brian Gutekunst alluded to that being the case:

"“I do think if the right particular player is out there, and we think it’s the best thing for the Green Bay Packers, we’ll be able to do it,” said Gutekunst via Packers Wire. “We won’t be able to do  a lot and I do think there are some restrictions, but if the right guy is there, I think we’d be able to do what we need to do.”"

Remember, even under these tight cap conditions, if the Green Bay Packers want a player, they can go and get him–there is financial maneuvering that can be done. What it comes down to is the short-term financial flexibility gained worth it given the financial restraints that the team will be under in future years.

What position(s) do the Green Bay Packers address in free agency?

The answer to this question hinges on the previous one, but as I said, I don’t expect Green Bay to sit completely out of free agency. So then the question is, which position(s) do they address?

To me, this is an easy question; they should add either a veteran cornerback, an interior defensive lineman, or ideally both. Finding another boundary cornerback is the biggest need on this team, and entering the draft with the mindset of “we have to find a corner early on” is never a good thing.

We don’t know who is going to be available, and aggressively pursuing a position can lead to reaching. Then there’s the other side of the coin where the right player isn’t available, and the position isn’t addressed until Day 3. But having a veteran, even on a one-year deal, who can provide some stability in 2021 alleviates some of that need.

The thought process for an interior defensive lineman is similar. Kenny Clark needs help, but also, there is a lack of depth currently on the roster with only five players listed, and two of them are practice squad players.

Again, Green Bay doesn’t want to enter the draft feeling that they have to select this position early on, but unlike cornerback, this defensive tackle class is not deep at all. In fact, overall, it may be the least talented position group in this year’s class. So there are obvious risks in waiting.

Other positions of need for the Green Bay Packers include running back, offensive tackle, edge rusher — if Preston Smith is gone — inside linebacker, and wide receiver. But any of those needs can be taken care of in the draft much easier.