When Brian Gutekunst has money, he spends it. The Green Bay Packers aren't typically active participants on the opening day of free agency, but Gutekunst has shifted that narrative in recent years.
A year ago, the Packers shocked the world by landing Josh Jacobs in the first wave of free agency. Twelve months later, Gutekunst has added another former Las Vegas Raiders player by signing cornerback Nate Hobbs to a four-year deal worth $48 million.
Hobbs is one of the league's best slot corners but has struggled to stay healthy, missing 16 games across the past three seasons. His ability to play across the secondary gives defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley another chess piece to move around.
The Packers made a smart move to address the secondary early in free agency, and Hobbs' first comments after signing will only make fans love the move even more.
Nate Hobbs is fired up after signing with the Packers on first day of free agency
Shortly after signing with the Packers, Hobbs spoke to NFL insider Josina Anderson:
"I'm ecstatic. It has not sunk in yet. I'm still dumbfounded by the opportunity, and I am ready to get to work. Being within that division and facing those quarterbacks, I feel like I'm ready for anything (in the NFC North) and I am going in with a lot of confidence. It prepared me for this," Hobbs told Anderson.
What a quote.
The Packers have added another leader to the secondary. He will presumably play in the slot ahead of Keisean Nixon and Javon Bullard, as Nixon found more success starting on the outside last season. Green Bay rarely prioritizes the slot corner position, but this move indicates a shift in that thinking.
Alongside signing Hobbs, the Packers handed former San Francisco 49ers guard Aaron Banks a massive four-year deal worth $77 million. They are committed to bolstering their offensive line after a concerning performance in the wild-card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Banks will likely start at left guard, with Elgton Jenkins replacing Josh Myers at center.
The Packers have made a busy start to free agency. Hobbs is "ecstatic" to be in Green Bay, and Packers fans have every reason to feel the same way about the signing.