Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave was one of the Green Bay Packers' splashier additions this offseason, but he didn't look the part facing his former team, the Minnesota Vikings, in Week 1.
Hargrave wasn't a notable negative, he just didn't give the Packers a whole lot of anything in the 30 snaps he played: one tackle, no pressures. He came off the bench alongside rookie Chris McClellan. Hargrave was fine, politely speaking.
That's not what fans envisioned when the team signed him in free agency, following the two-time Pro Bowler's release from the Vikings. Even coming off a down year, Hargrave had his prior connection with defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon to lean on.
The narrative was easy to buy into, but Hargrave's first impression raises questions about the role he'll have in this defense during his age-33 season.
Javon Hargrave's role may be more limited than Packers fans anticipated
It's difficult to get a bead on what the Packers' plan is up front. In Week 1 at least, Gannon deployed his defensive linemen in a by-committee approach, without establishing much of a discernible hierarchy in playing time. Karl Brooks led the group in snaps with 37; McClellan came in fifth at 28. Not much of a difference.
What sticks out is that the Packers started Brooks over Hargrave, lining up the former as a defensive end opposite Devonte Wyatt, with Jonathan Ford playing nose tackle. That was supposed to be Hargrave's job, we thought.
For better or worse, it's possible that he isn't quite himself after navigating injury during training camp. He's 33 years old; recovery takes time after 11 years in the league. Or maybe he's just slowing down. Hargrave was less productive than all three starters.
Either way, it's not a great feeling. After a substandard 2025 campaign, the Packers gambled on Hargrave, hoping that being back with Gannon could spark a bounce-back season. He had career years during Gannon's 2021-22 stint as Eagles DC and is only three seasons removed from his last Pro Bowl.
Of course, one underwhelming week isn't a reason to start sounding the death knell on Hargrave's career. But we probably do need to temper optimistic expectations at least a little.
If Brooks plays like he did in Minnesota, it'll be difficult to steal his spot as a starter. The Packers extended Wyatt this offseason and are committed to him long-term. Ford continues to impress up the middle. McClellan earned meaningful reps in his NFL debut; his arrow is pointing up.
It's too early for broad conclusions, but the initial indication is that Hargrave might be in for a more limited role than expected, surprisingly far down the pecking order.
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