The Green Bay Packers offseason could look different than years past. They are close to championship contention, but their path forward hinges on two things: getting healthy and finding ways to improve a roster already capable of competing for a Super Bowl.
With several key contributors—including Malik Willis, Quay Walker, Romeo Doubs and Rasheed Walker—potentially departing in free agency, Green Bay must carefully balance its approach. General manager Brian Gutekunst will need to weigh the value of future compensatory picks against the opportunity to add outside talent.
Early signs suggest the Packers may favor creative roster construction. Prior to the start of the new league year, Green Bay reportedly moved defensive tackle Colby Wooden in exchange for veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin. Moves like this—swapping depth pieces for established veterans—could become a defining theme of the Packers’ offseason strategy.
The Curious Case of Rashan Gary
Few situations are more intriguing than the future of edge rusher Rashan Gary.
After a cryptic social media post from Gary circulated widely on Friday, speculation has grown that the former first-round pick and the Packers could be heading toward a split. While a trade still feels unlikely, the dynamics of the edge rusher market could make Gary one of the most coveted pass rushers available—particularly with Maxx Crosby now off the trade market.
One team that could make sense is the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cincinnati struggled to generate consistent pressure last season and now finds itself with a championship-caliber offense but a defense that rarely disrupted opposing quarterbacks. After losing Trey Hendrickson this offseason and seeing an underwhelming rookie campaign from Shemar Stewart, the Bengals will likely look to add a proven veteran to bolster their pass rush.
Former Packers defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery now holds the same role in Cincinnati, creating a natural connection and providing the Bengals with firsthand familiarity with Gary’s skill set.
Could a deal centered around Rashan Gary and cornerback DJ Turner II make sense?
Turner, another former Michigan Wolverine, is coming off the most productive season of his career. However, he is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will soon be seeking a lucrative extension. For a Bengals team needing immediate pass-rush production—and a Packers team that could use additional help in the secondary—the framework for a mutually beneficial deal exists.
Another potential partner: the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas has also been searching for pass-rush reinforcements after missing out on the Crosby sweepstakes. At the same time, the Cowboys are already allocating nearly $60 million annually to three defensive linemen, creating potential financial pressure along the defensive front.
That could make defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa a possible trade candidate. The cap hits for Odighizuwa and Gary are relatively comparable, making a player-for-player deal a scenario worth monitoring.
Josh Jacobs for De’Von Achane?
The Packers’ coaching connections in Miami have created an interesting pipeline between the two organizations.
With former Packers personnel figures Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley now with the Dolphins, the two teams may be more inclined to explore trade discussions. However, the franchises currently sit in very different phases.
Green Bay appears positioned to compete for a Super Bowl, while Miami could be entering a transitional period.
That raises an interesting possibility: could the Packers explore a Josh Jacobs–for–De’Von Achane trade?
Achane is a dynamic young playmaker who will become extension-eligible in the near future. If Miami begins prioritizing financial flexibility during a rebuild, moving a player approaching a payday might make sense.
Jacobs, meanwhile, recently turned 28 and showed signs of wear late in the season. While he still has two years remaining on his contract, none of that money is guaranteed. For Green Bay, moving Jacobs could open opportunities to get younger and more explosive at the position. For Miami, acquiring a proven veteran runner could stabilize the offense and locker room during a reset.
Complicating matters further are recent reports that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa could be released, a move that would create a staggering $99 million dead-cap charge and significantly limit the Dolphins’ short-term financial flexibility.
A Broken Bear?
One former Chicago Bear worth monitoring is quarterback Justin Fields.
If the New York Jets pursue a move for Kyler Murray—as betting markets have suggested—the Jets could move on from Fields in a corresponding transaction.
Should that happen, the Packers could quietly explore the opportunity to acquire Fields at minimal cost. Green Bay already executed a similar move last offseason when it acquired Malik Willis for a late-round pick.
There are additional connections here. Fields and Packers quarterback Jordan Love share the same agent and have maintained a friendly relationship off the field.
And if there’s one place capable of revitalizing Fields’ career, it might be Matt LaFleur’s quarterback development system.
There would also be a certain poetic irony in seeing a former Bears quarterback win a Super Bowl wearing green and gold.
A 2027 Decision Looming
Looking further ahead, Green Bay may soon face difficult decisions at wide receiver.
Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are all candidates for contract extensions in the near future. Given the financial realities of roster construction, it seems unlikely the Packers will commit major long-term money across the entire group.
That situation becomes even more complex after the team invested premium draft capital in wide receivers Matthew Golden and Savion Williams just a year ago.
As a result, Green Bay could eventually explore trading one of Reed or Wicks. Such a move would allow the player to maximize their value ahead of a new contract while giving the Packers an opportunity to address another roster need.
