The “legal tampering period” began on Monday, and with it the start to the Packers 2026 season. Past years have had Green Bay making some big signings, but this year has taken on a more subdued approach. Part of that is what we’ve talked about for weeks, compensatory draft picks. With players like Malik Willis, Quay Walker and Kingsley Enagbare already signing deals, the Packers are on track to receive multiple additional picks in the 2027 draft.

Romeo Doubs and Rasheed Walker still have to sign deals. So it’s very likely that the Packers could be in line for multiple 3/4/5 round picks. With that in mind it’s not surprising that the Packers have not done much to this point. They have made moves that we can take a closer look at though.

This is being written on Tuesday, so any moves that take place today or late Tuesday will not be included.

The New and Returning Packers

As of early Tuesday afternoon, the Packers have agreed to terms with five players.

In addition to these, they also brought back running back Chris Brooks and Special Teamers Kristian Welch and Nick Niemann on small deals.

The Rhyan deal is…fine. He’s a decent player with some positional versatility which is a valuable thing. The pay seems a bit high, but when you compare it to the deals being handed out to centers across the league, its nothing notably egregious (ala Banks last year). Resigning Rhyan lets Green Bay go into the draft without having to take a center (even though they likely will if the board falls the way they’d like)

Similarly, the St-Juste deal is another one that’s about depth. The Packers cornerback room was bad last year, and not only that, but thin. St-Juste was bad in Washington but seemed to find his stride as a backup in LA. While he is older than the players Green Bay usually targets, he has a unique combo of size and speed not currently on the roster. New DC Jonathan Gannon runs his defense similar to what Jesse Minter was doing in LA. So there is reason to believe that the Packers can get the best out of St-Juste.

You Got What??

On Friday Rashan Gary posted on Instagram a farewell to Green Bay. This seemed to confirm that the Packers were releasing the former first round pick after a disappointing 2025. Then apparently he claimed to have been hacked. Meanwhile reports were that no decisions had yet been made on Gary’s future with the team.

Regardless of the truth, what was evident was that the Packers were done with Gary. When it’s this obvious that a player is going to be cut, getting anything for them, even a late pick becomes extremely difficult.

Enter Jerry Jones.

Not content to just provide the Packers with one of the best players in the league, he also decided to send the Packers a 2027 4th round pick to take Gary off the Packers hands. While a 4th isn’t a crazy return, that the Packers got anything for a player they were clearly going to cut is incredible work by GM Brian Gutekunst.

Another Packers Trade

Anticipating the loss of Quay Walker, the Packers decided to trade DT Colby Wooden to the Colts for LB Zaire Franklin. There’s a few things to examine with this. First, if they haven’t already, Green Bay is going to need to add bodies at DT. The Packers were getting dragged up and down the field by opposing running backs, and the group is now thinner than ever.

Looking at Franklin, the Packers clearly hope that the 2024 version is still there, because the 2025 tape is rough. There are reasons to be hopeful though, as he was dealing with a foot injury and a scheme change that may have contributed to his poor showing.

Between this, and retaining players like Welch and Niemann, I wouldn’t expect LB to a priority in the draft.

The Cuts

The Packers have made two notable cuts so far. Long time OL Elgton Jenkins was released which wasn’t a shock given the Rhyan resigning. Jenkins was a very good player for a very long time for Green Bay, but had fallen off the past two seasons due to injury and wasn’t able to make the transition to center like they had hoped.

Nate Hobbs on the other hand was a mistake from the jump. A primarily slot based corner, the Packers signed him believing he could play outside as well. Not only could he not, but he was outplayed in the slot by 2nd year player Javon Bullard. While the signing itself was a mistake, credit to the Packers for recognizing it and moving on.

Final Thoughts

Last week we said free agency could go one of two ways for the Packers. They would either make some low cost depth signings and moves with the 2027 draft in mind, or they would go all in on trying to bolster a playoff ready squad.

So far it appears that they are going with the former. That being said, the cuts and restructures they have made have some believing that at least one big move is coming. If it is, I anticipate it will be a for a corner or defensive tackle. Regardless, Green Bay has handled the start of free agency well. This is a good roster and with a few more signings should be set up well for the draft.