The Green Bay Packers made some noise early this offseason by re-signing center Sean Rhyan, trading for linebacker Zaire Franklin, and bringing in defensive tackle Javon Hargrave after his release by the Vikings. More recently, they also extended receivers Jayden Reed and Christian Watson, and exercised Lukas Van Ness' fifth-year option, although those expenditures won't hit the books until next season.
Other than the receiver extensions, the front office has stayed mostly quiet since the start of the signing period. As training camp nears, the Packers sit sixth-last in offseason spending at $78.8 million. On a Super Bowl-hopeful roster, one that lost a number of starters and key rotation players from last season, that doesn't exactly scream all-in.
It's also nothing to be worried about. For one thing, look at the rest of the rankings. The Titans and Raiders occupy the very top, followed by at best fringe playoff teams until the real contenders appear starting at No. 8, with the New England Patriots.
The bottom five include three 2025 playoff squads, including 2026 Super Bowl contenders in Denver and Philadelphia, and the NFC North favorite Detroit Lions.Â
Packers' anticipated value added isn't captured by a rankings chart
Maybe that list doesn't mean so much, after all. The Seattle Seahawks, the defending champs, rank 19th. Somehow, the Rams sit 22nd despite dominating offseason headlines. More playoff participants will likely come from the bottom half of the rankings.Â
In proper context, then, fretting over Green Bay's place among the supposed penny-pinchers isn't warranted. Sure, they could have made a bigger splash if they wanted to. That's not really their M.O., though, with last August's Micah Parsons trade being an exception.Â
Given roster need, signing corner Benjamin St-Juste for two years and $9.8 million might be one of the most underrated additions this cycle. They addressed their special teams - a sore spot last season - by adding kick returner/receiver Skyy Moore. As far as further spending, the Packers will likely extend tight end Tucker Kraft sometime before Week 1.Â
For an infusion of talent, they are counting on internal development from promising young talent, led by receiver Matthew Golden. They also had an excellent draft. All six class members should make an immediate impact. Cornerback Brandon Cisse, defensive tackle Chris McClellan, and kicker Trey Smack can all compete for starting roles.Â
Fifth-rounder Jager Burton could steal someone's job on the offensive line (read: Anthony Belton's job). With Micah Parsons sidelined until at least mid-October, edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton will be a key participant in the pass rush rotation. Cornerback Domani Jackson isn't just any sixth-rounder.
The Packers had every incentive not to spend in free agency. With many of their own players walking out the door, they recouped a valuable haul of compensatory pick selections in 2027. Signing costly free agents before the draft would have negated those picks, essentially tacking them as if in a trade with no extra value coming back in exchange.Â
The Packers have their own strategy and roster vision. Reducing it to a number on a list doesn't reflect the impact and development the team can expect to see this season.Â
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