While the Green Bay Packers made a few moves in free agency, none of them were probably of the blockbuster variety. Then again, their dearth of splash signings wasn't particularly shocking when you take into account that they were dealing with cap constraints this offseason.
The good news is that those few moves the Packers made took care of immediate needs. Heck, you could even make the case that they got substantially better without breaking the bank. The same cannot be stated about their NFC North foes.
For instance, the Chicago Bears made several signings, but you can't say with a straight face that they're in better shape than they were at the end of 2025. The same is true for the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions. When you look at the moves these teams made, you can make the case that Green Bay quietly won free agency without needing to do anything.
The Packers' NFC North rivals missed big opportunities in free agency
There was a chance the Bears might've traded for Maxx Crosby. If they had pulled it off, they would've given nightmares to Green Bay and the rest of the division. However, "The Condor" remains with the Las Vegas Raiders after the Baltimore Ravens' botched trade, and it doesn't look like he'll be leaving the Silver & Black anytime soon.
Granted, Chicago signed Super Bowl-winning safety Coby Bryant, but also lost Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker to the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively, so can you truly say that their safety room is better?
The Lions, for their part, seemed like a potential landing spot for Tyler Linderbaum. If they had landed him, he would have fixed their one major problem. The Lions struggled to overcome Frank Ragnow's retirement last season. Detroit had to settle on Cade Mays, who is a serviceable starter but not much else.
And then, there are the Vikings. Leaving aside that they got a bargain when they signed Kyler Murray to a one-year deal, who should be an upgrade over incumbent J.J. McCarthy, they did little else to worry the Packers. There was speculation and fan fiction about a massive swing for Joe Burrow. Packers fans will take Murray over that nightmarish scenario.
The Packers are getting plenty of value with Javon Hargrave, Sean Rhyan, and Benjamin St-Juste
General manager Brian Gutekunst was always going to get his work cut out for him because the Packers didn't have much cap space to work with this offseason. But despite the hurdles, he managed to work his magic.
While quarterback Malik Willis, wide receiver Romeo Doubs, left tackle Rasheed Walker, offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins, and linebacker Quay Walker left in free agency, their departures were expected. All of them played prominent roles last year, but Green Bay should be able to find their respective replacements in the draft. Moreover, Gutekunst was able to retain two core players and bring in another who could have a massive impact next season.
Sean Rhyan came through for the Packers in 2025. So instead of making a push for Linderbaum, which would've been cost-prohibitive, they went with a familiar face at center, giving Rhyan a three-year deal worth $33 million to prevent him from leaving.
The Packers also addressed key needs by signing defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste. The former had the most dominant stretch of his career when he played for defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon with the Philadelphia Eagles. The two are back together and should wreak havoc across the line of scrimmage.
On the other hand, St-Juste gives Green Bay a dependable starter at corner but also the flexibility to navigate the draft without having to box themselves in a corner.
When you add it all up, the Packers managed to replenish the roster. That said, they don't operate in a vacuum; they weren't the only NFC North team that tried to get better in free agency. Fortunately for them, the moves their division rivals didn't make were just as important.