5 former Packers players who failed with their new teams in 2023

Dean Lowry

NFC North rivals signing former Packers has become an annual tradition. The list goes on, from Equanimeous St. Brown to Lucas Patrick to Chandon Sullivan to Jamaal Williams to Datone Jones.

Dean Lowry is one of the latest Packers free agents to stay in the division. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings last offseason but didn't make the impact they would've hoped for after signing a two-year deal.

Lowry was limited to only nine games due to injury. In that time, he made zero sacks, zero QB hits, 14 tackles, and zero tackles for loss, earning a disappointing PFF grade of 47.4. Lowry is already considered a potential cap casualty for the Vikings this offseason.

The Packers forced themselves to get better along the defensive line by moving on from Lowry in free agency. Along with the emergence of Devonte Wyatt in his second season, Green Bay selected Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks on Day 3 of the draft. Wooden had a solid rookie year, but Brooks was one of the steals of the draft, making four sacks, five QB hits, and six tackles for loss.

Gutekunst understood that change was required along the defensive line. He deserves credit for his draft picks, but the decision to move on from Lowry was just as important.