For the past three seasons, the Packers have been doted as the youngest team in the league. During the first two seasons bumps on the road are a given.
However, the excuse of youngest team in the league wore out quickly. Once again, the Packers found themselves plagued committing mistakes. After two seasons, many of this should have been cleaned up.
Once Micah Parsons went down to injury, the Packers went on to win zero games. In this stretch, glaring needs continued to come to light.
The team decided to address these needs in free agency by letting go of some of their top draft picks. Instead, the team looked to Zaire Franklin and Javon Hargrave as their key free agency signings.
Franklin and Hargrave are pushing 30 and 33, respectively. These players are not typical Packer signings. This proves that Brian Gutekunst believes veteran leadership and experience is needed in the locker room.
The Packers Approach to Free Agency
Zaire Franklin became the first trade that Green Bay made in free agency. The signing makes sense with the move of Quay Walker. However, there were some interesting things this addition showed.
Colby Wooden became the player traded away. Wooden is a defensive tackle who will turn 25 this year. The Packers are already incredibly thin at defensive tackle, yet they decide to trade a consistent piece in the tackle room who has better years ahead of him.
Meanwhile, Franklin will turn 30 and is coming off his worst season as a pro. According to several, the defensive system in Indianapolis was not tailored to his strengths. Gutekunst must have a belief that in a new scheme and change of scenery, Franklin will be the exact fit they need at linebacker.
The team decided to address Colby Wooden’s absence by signing Javon Hargrave. Another signing that moves away from adding youth. Hargrave also struggled this past year and was vocal about his role in the Brian Flores defense.
Hargrave had his best season in Philadelphia under new Packers defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon making Hargrave an obvious choice.
The signings of Franklin and Hargrave continue to intrigue me. These players are what the Packers have been lacking in leadership and experience. Franklin and Hargrave are not just solid players; they also have great character.
Mixing the draft and develop picks with outside veteran experience could be exactly what the Packers need. Time will tell if this ends up being a better formula for success in 2026 and beyond.
