Every year, when free agency rolls around, teams must decide which players they want to re-sign and who they want to let go. Ideally, teams would let players on the decline walk, while bringing back guys who are still producing at a high level. It’s still too early to make any final judgements about 2025 free agency, but the Green Bay Packers may have miscalculated and let a productive player leave.
Veteran defensive tackle T.J. Slaton, a former member of the Packers, left Green Bay this offseason to join the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency. Slaton signed a two-year deal worth $14.1 million, and he’s already proving to be a big pickup for the Bengals. Making plays already in training camp, the veteran defensive lineman caught the attention of his new quarterback Joe Burrow.
Burrow, after facing off against Slaton in practice, told media members that Slaton is going to be a great player for the Bengals.
Joe Burrow: “TJ Slaton is going to be a great player for us.”
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) July 30, 2025
Former Packer T.J. Slaton is already receiving high praise with Bengals
Slaton was drafted by Green Bay in the fifth round of the 2021 Draft, and developed into a full-time starter with the team. Playing in every game since he’s been with the team, Slaton started zero as a rookie, then two in his second season, before starting all 17 games in each of the last two years. Whether he was starting or rotating in, he has been a consistent producer all four years, recording 134 tackles, six for a loss, and two sacks in his 68 career games.
Still, the Packers didn’t re-sign him. Instead, the team will rely on Devonte Wyatt to step into the starting lineup and play alongside Kenny Clark, who started at the other defensive tackle position next to Slaton. Wyatt has been a productive pass rusher in his three seasons, but he’ll now need to display a well-rounded game with Slaton no longer around.