While all the "former Packers" free agency buzz seems to be directed toward who will join Aaron Rodgers with the New York Jets, the Packers' strong results in 2023 make them a much more appealing landing spot for free agents than they were this time last year.
That means some former Packers could be changing their tune about wanting to play in Green Bay. If they're regretting leaving, the Pack shouldn't be too proud to bring them back to Green Bay as long as the price is right.
Here are three former Packers that Green Bay should target in free agency.
1. Adrian Amos, Safety
Adrian Amos was part of the Aaron Rodgers exodus, signing a one-year deal with the New York Jets last offseason and eventually asking for his release midway through the season. He finished out the year with the Houston Texans, and now he's available again.
Safety is, coincidentally, probably the Packers' biggest need this offseason. And while some names like Antoine Wifield Jr. and Xavier McKinney grab headlines, Green Bay doesn't really have the cap space to lock up a young superstar.
Amos is the perfect target though. He bounced back in 2023 after leaving Green Bay off a down year in 2022, and at 30 years old (31 by the time the season starts) he should still have at least a couple of good season left in him.
Amos didn't see a ton of action in pass coverage, but he was phenomenal against the run. Pro Football Focus graded him out at an elite 89.6 in rush defense. His coverage grade also made a massive leap, from an abysmal 45.6 in 2022 to 60.0 in 2023.
Amos clearly values playing for a contender, and returning to Green Bay would let him do just that.
2. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Wide Receiver
Signing a wide receiver might feel unnecessary considering the Packers have some young talent there, but it's also not a position we expect Brian Gutenkunst to ignore entirely.
While Marquez Valdes-Scantling's most likely landing spot after being released by the Kansas City Chiefs is probably with Aaron Rodgers in New York, a reunion could actually make a lot of sense.
The big knock on Valdes-Scantling is that he's a little one-dimensional. He can stretch the field and work deep routes, but that's about it. That's going to hurt his market in free agency, especially in a year with one of the most loaded wide receiver draft classes we've seen in recent memory. Those factors should combine to keep his asking price nice and low.
And working as a deep threat is just what we need.
Every Packers wide receiver except Malik Heath had an average depth of target (aDOT) north of 10.0 yards last season. This offense asks all of its wideouts to be able to work downfield, and Christian Watson and Samori Toure both even had aDOTs north of 15 yards.
Jordan Love, for his part, went 20-plus yards downfield on 14.0% of his pass attempts last season, per Pro Football Focus. That was the second-highest rate among the 30 passers who dropped back at least 300 times on the year.
And that's why MVS is a natural fit, having posted an aDOT north of 15.0 in each of his last three seasons in Green Bay, plus also doing it with the Chiefs in 2023.
3. Micah Hyde, Safety
Safety is enough of a need that it absolutely makes sense to double down here. The Packers should also draft at least one, but adding a veteran like Micah Hyde will help as a stopgap solution.
It's been a while since Hyde played in Green Bay, and the 33-year-old isn't the player he was in 2016. But he's still absolutely good enough to contribute as a role player in the secondary,.
While Amos does his best work in run defense, Hyde is better suited in a coverage role, and rotating between the two (plus any rookies who have earned playing time) is a great way to handle the position while also having strong depth in case anyone gets hurt.
Hyde played 503 snaps in coverage last year (per PFF) and only allowed 25 receptions. His versatility also goes well beyond the safety position, as he played significant snaps in the box and in the slot for the Bills.
Veteran leadership and versatility are key factors the Packers need to be looking for when they shore up the secondary this offseason, and Hyde absolutely checks those boxes.
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