Packers: 9 reasons why Green Bay will bounce back in 2018

2. Packers will be active participants in free agency

Ted Thompson’s conservative approach to signing free agents was no secret, but that is set to change this offseason. For the first time in what feels like forever, the Packers are expected to be active participants in free agency. Brian Gutekunst said as much in his opening press conference last month.

"“We’re not going to leave any stone unturned as far as every avenue of player acquisition,” Gutekunst said in January, via ESPN.com. “The thing that I’ve already told our guys is that we’re not going to sign every player. We’re not going to be able to make that the foundation of our team, but we want to be in it and we want to be in the know of everything that’s going on and, if it makes sense for us, not to be afraid. We have to be prepared enough to pull the trigger.”"

And that’s the right approach to take. It has worked in New England for a number of years. The Patriots are always active in free agency, but pick their spots to spend big. When they do, it usually works.

The Packers’ stubbornness in free agency in recent years put all the pressure on the draft. Thompson had to hit with his picks more frequently, and these young players were relied on to help close out big games in the playoffs. That plan backfired all too often.

Gutekunst aims to change that. Not only will it make for a more interesting offseason, but it could also better position the Packers for a championship run.