Packers already active in free agency with two signings

Last offseason, the Green Bay Packers spent a lot of money in areas of need. It appears this offseason is no different.

It isn’t even time for legal tampering yet and the Packers are already making some waves in free agency. With limited cap space available, it was hard to believe the Packers would be active as they were last season, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t make a few signings still.

There are three big holes on this team right now: linebacker, offensive line (right tackle) and wide receiver. The Packers have reportedly signed two players already.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported they’ve signed former Cleveland Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, they’ve signed former Detroit Lions right tackle Rick Wagner.

The signing of Kirksey came first. He visited the Packers just a couple of days ago and apparently wanted to reunite with his former coach, Mike Pettine.

According to Schefter, it’s a two-year deal worth $16 million. Kirksey has had some issues staying healthy in the past, but if he can avoid injuries, this would be a really nice signing for the Packers. It is a lot cheaper deal than Blake Martinez will likely get and while he may not be the tackling machine that Martinez is, he will assuredly be much better in coverage.

Now, this may not completely fill the need at linebacker for the Packers, but it definitely makes it a less glaring one. I could still see the Packers taking a linebacker in the draft, but now they won’t have to trade up to get someone like Kenneth Murray or Patrick Queen, who were unlikely to fall to the Packers at pick 30.

Brian Gutekunst is also taking a chance on Rick Wagner. Wagner, a Wisconsin native, and former Badger started his career with the Baltimore Ravens. He signed a massive deal with Detroit before the 2017 season and just never quite lived up to expectations.

With the Packers paying him just $11 million over two years, this is a relatively safe deal. I’d imagine they would be able to cut him after this season if he doesn’t play well. This could be a very smart move by Gutekunst. This would allow them to draft a tackle for the future and give them time to prepare and get to know the offense.

These moves pretty much mean Bryan Bulaga and Blake Martinez will be gone. But is that necessarily a bad thing? I’d agree that Bulaga is much much better than Wagner, but not worth the $12 million-plus per year he’d demand.

Things are just getting started and it’s already getting exciting for Packers fans again.