The Green Bay Packers made a fast start to free agency by signing guard Aaron Banks and cornerback Nate Hobbs, but their activity has quietened down since.
General manager Brian Gutekunst hasn't yet addressed the glaring pass-rush need or found another pass-catcher for Jordan Love, all while watching several Packers free agents walk out of the door.
AJ Dillon signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, Eric Stokes gets a fresh start with the Las Vegas Raiders, Josh Myers now plays for the New York Jets, and Eric Wilson returned to the Minnesota Vikings. Several former Packers free agents are still looking for new homes, including Aaron Rodgers.
The offseason is far from over, and Gutekunst has time to address the Packers' biggest roster needs, but what did we learn from the first wave of free agency?
Who were the biggest winners and losers?
Who are the Packers' winners and losers after the opening week of free agency?
Winner: Keisean Nixon
Many laughed when Keisean Nixon said he wanted to give up kick returns and become the Packers' No. 1 cornerback, but Gutekunst may have granted him his wish.
Jaire Alexander is still under contract but will likely depart this offseason. Eric Stokes and Corey Ballentine are gone, with Nate Hobbs replacing them. Hobbs will likely switch between nickelback and outside corner, leaving Nixon as the potential CB1. Green Bay could draft another corner, but it's difficult for a rookie to ascend to the top of the depth chart in Year 1.
Nixon might become the Packers' primary boundary corner in 2025.
Loser: Jordan Morgan
The Packers upgraded their starting five along the offensive line by signing Aaron Banks. They will reshuffle slightly, with Elgton Jenkins moving to center and Banks replacing him at left guard.
However, Green Bay effectively guaranteed Banks a starting job by overpaying him on the first day of free agency. Where does it leave 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan?
Morgan presumably won't start ahead of Rasheed Walker or Zach Tom at tackle. Banks and Jenkins are locked in at left guard and center, respectively. Morgan may need to beat Sean Rhyan for the right guard job, something he failed to do last season.
Winner: Zach Tom
Myers' departure raised questions about whether the Packers would move Tom to center. The Banks signing put an end to that.
Tom is the big winner. He only has one year remaining on his rookie deal and will likely land a massive contract extension in the near future. Avoiding a position switch ensures he can demand premium tackle money, and his versatility only adds to his market value.
Ronnie Stanley landed a three-year, $60 million contract to re-sign with the Baltimore Ravens. With Stanley off the market, other teams panicked into major overpays at tackle, including the Tennessee Titans handing Dan Moore a deal worth $82 million.
Tom is a Pro Bowl-level tackle and can play all five positions along the line. He will turn 26 later this month and soon become one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in football.
Loser: Jordan Love
Despite the Packers slightly upgrading their offensive line, they have done little to help Jordan Love. The team still needs a receiver who can stretch defenses with speed or consistently beat man coverage.
Green Bay didn't make a move for DK Metcalf or Davante Adams but reportedly had surprise interest in Cooper Kupp before he signed with the Seattle Seahawks. Wide receiver remains a need for the Packers.
Winner: Lukas Van Ness
The Packers' lack of moves at edge-rusher shows confidence in Lukas Van Ness.
They need much more from their former first-round choice. Van Ness's overall PFF grade ranked 161st among 211 edge defenders last season, and he particularly struggled against the run, ranking 193rd. He registered only 20 pressures and four sacks and has yet to start a game.
The Packers failed to upgrade the pass rush. Josh Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, Harold Landry, and Joey Bosa were among the notable names to switch teams, but Green Bay has likely run out of options to add a veteran, barring a surprise trade.
Van Ness can relax, as the Packers' inactivity at the position ensures he will remain a key piece in Jeff Hafley's defense.
Loser: Jeff Hafley
Hafley is arguably the Packers' biggest loser of free agency. We must stress that there is plenty of time to find the necessary upgrades he needs, but after the first wave, he hasn't gotten much help.
Hobbs is a great addition to the secondary, but the Packers need more. Gutekunst has cranked up the pressure to upgrade the defensive line in the draft. Along with reinforcements on the edge, the Packers need help inside following T.J. Slaton's departure. Hafley had to find creative ways to generate pressure when his front four couldn't get home, and Gutekunst has done nothing to fix it.