Happy New Year!!! Oh, I mean happy New League Year! The NFL’s New League Year begins on Wednesday, March 13th, at 4PM ET. Or ya know, 3PM for us in the Central Time Zone. And with the New League Year, trades can be official and NFL Free Agency will begin. This means that the Green Bay Packers can officially make trades and sign free agents.
But will they?
Legal Negotiating Period of Free Agency
Prior to the start of the League Year, the NFL allows for agents of players to be contacted by interested clubs and even enter into contract agreements. However, these players are still not able to sign the contract until the start of the League Year on Wednesday.
So, when does legal negotiating period begin?
It will begin at 12PM ET (11AM Central) on Monday March 11th.
My expectation is that the Packers won’t be involved in any deals on Monday, but it could happen. Usually, the high profile free agents are the players to come to agreement during the legal negotiating period. The only player I can think of that the Packers might have to come to agreement with during this time would be Xavier McKinney (this author is crossing his fingers in hope). The Packers have a huge need at safety and McKinney fits into that post safety spot perfectly. And he is just 24 years old!
However, if Xavier McKinney isn’t available, then I wouldn’t expect the Packers to sign a player during this first wave of free agency. Of course, I do think they will participate in free agency this year, more so than in past years. I mean their need at the safety position is going to take more than just a couple of draft picks to fix. Check out this article by Nick Volkaitis detailing all of the possible choices the Packers have at safety!
Are There Any Other Positions That the Packers Could Fill Through Free Agency?
Well, are there? Let’s break this down by position. Offense first:
Quarterback: No!
Running back: You know, the running back market has been watered down over the past few years. And I don’t expect this year to be much different. And there are a ton of special running backs this year too. If you know anything about economics, then you know that if supply is high and demand is low, then the price is also low. In other words, the Packers could very well sign a free agent running back to pair with Aaron Jones at a decent cost. I would expect that a high profile player like Saquon Barkley wouldn’t be that expensive to sign.
Fullback: No.
Wide Receiver: I mean, a high profile receiver in Jerry Jeudy was traded to the Browns for just a 5th and a 6th on Saturday, and I didn’t hear a single Packers fan on X complain about the Packers not pursuing him. I think we are good here. Although, don’t be surprised if teams are calling the Packers about a couple of our guys.
Tight End: Nope.
Offensive Line: No. I mean, I’m not saying the Packers don’t have a need here. But offensive linemen are normally over paid in free agency. Maybe, in the third wave of free agency.
Defensive Side of the Ball?
Defensive Line: With the Packers moving to having mostly four down linemen, there is a chance there is someone that Coach Hafley might want for his defense, but I doubt it. If Green Bay were to add to this position, then it needs to be through the draft.
Off-Ball Linebacker: Sure, I could see the Packers signing someone in free agency. This free agent linebacker class is pretty good and much like the running back position, it is quite diluted. Reeling in these linebackers is definitely possible. Jordyn Brooks. anyone? Well, as long as he isn’t going to break the bank.
Cornerback: The Packers need depth at cornerback. There is no way around that. However, they don’t need an aging corner, which this free agency class is full of. The Packers would probably be better served filling this need through the draft unless they were bringing Keisean Nixon back. Nixon would be great for depth and for special teams. I wouldn’t want to see him as our started slot corner again, though.
Safety: Already talked about this group above!
Special Teams: I wouldn’t be upset if the Packers brought in some competition for Anders Carlson at kicker. I also wouldn’t be upset if the Packers brought in some competition for Matt Orzech at long snapper.
So, Will They Be Involved With Free Agency?
“We try to be in every conversation.” – Brian Gutekunst just about billion times over the past few years.
Yeah, I do believe that the Packers will be involved in free agency. I don’t foresee them getting anybody high profiled unless it is Xavier McKinney. But, no-yeah, the Packers will make some moves this free agency, though I doubt they break the bank.
That’ll be next year.
Go Pack Go!
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Damon is a diehard, fully-immersed cheesehead who currently lives in southern Missouri. He teaches at a local high school and has a family YouTube channel about all things Packers. You can follow him on twitter at @packersfamily and on YouTube at The Packers Family.
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