5 free agents the Green Bay Packers need to sign before Week 1

The Green Bay Packers are clearly in "win now" mode. They were active in free agency and extended Jordan Love to a historic deal.

While "draft and develop" is the Green Bay way, signing free agents helps win now.

If the Packers aren't content with the guys they have in camp, here are five proven veterans they could look to add to the roster before Week 1.

Packers should consider signing these veteran free agents

1. David Bakhtiari, T

Easily one of the most recognized names for Packers fans, Bakhtiari was a staple of the offensive line until a gruesome knee injury threw off his career and, by extension, Green Bay's Super Bowl hopes during the Aaron Rodgers era.

Brian Gutekunst made the tough choice to release Bakhtiari earlier this year to create significant cap room and allow the five-time All-Pro to explore free agency.

Bakhtiari remains unsigned. Given the injuries along the offensive line, a reunion with a healthy Bakhtiari could make a lot of sense. As Lombardi Ave's Sayre Bedinger pointed out, the Packers are already paying the guy $18 million not to be here. What's a bit more for him to play? If you get even 80% of what he was before the injuries, you still end up with a pretty darn good tackle.

2. Ryan Tannehill, QB

This one might have some controversy. While Jordan Love was sitting out of the early parts of training camp while working on his contract, Sean Clifford was at the helm of Green Bay's offense—and it wasn't pretty. Clifford struggled with the first-team offense, throwing numerous interceptions and missing receivers. Michael Pratt, a 2024 seventh-round pick, needs time to develop.

In the team's first preseason game, Clifford was OK, completing 10 of 19 passes, although that included a spike and throwaways to set up the field goal attempt. He was still consistently throwing behind his receivers. Pratt was more efficient, completing five of his seven passes and leading a scoring drive for a field goal.

Should Green Bay explore options outside of Clifford or Pratt, Tannehill should be the team's first call.

Tannehill would be relatively familiar with LaFleur's offense, having been traded to the Titans a couple of months after LaFleur left Tennessee to coach the Packers. With Arthur Smith, who worked with LaFleur in Tennessee and replaced him as offensive coordinator, Tannehill was the 2019 Comeback Player of the Year and a Pro Bowler. He would lead the Titans to the playoffs three seasons in a row.

Bringing in Tannehill would give Green Bay a proven option should something occur to Jordan Love.

3. Melvin Gordon, RB

Should the Packers look to bring in another running back, a number of options could fit here.

MarShawn Lloyd is still missing time with another injury, fans have soured on AJ Dillon, and Emanuel Wilson is another thunder-type back who may not mesh well with Josh Jacobs in the event of injury. After cutting Aaron Jones, the team would likely explore more of a "lightning" option to go alongside Jacobs and Dillon. Dalvin Cook and Kareem Hunt could fit, but hometown boy Gordon is the choice here.

Gordon, the Kenosha native and Wisconsin Badgers alum, is a two-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion. He only played in four games last season, rushing for 81 yards and one touchdown. Gordon has proven himself to be a dual-threat back and could be a decent and affordable option as he enters his age-31 season.

4. Shaquille Leonard, LB

This one is probably the biggest stretch of the group, but people can dream, right? Leonard is a former Defensive Rookie of the Year and three-time first-team All-Pro coming off injury-limited 2022 and 2023 seasons. Green Bay appeared set at linebacker coming into training camp, with Quay Walker as an established starter, Eric Wilson and Isaiah McDuffie as established vets, and rookies Edgerrin Cooper and Ty'Ron Hopper joining the mix. Injuries have kept Cooper and Hopper out of action as of late.

Enter Leonard. Adding the 29-year-old linebacker, who is notorious for flying around the field, could be the perfect fit as an off-ball linebacker in Jeff Hafley's new 4-3/4-2-5 defense. He could help guide the rookies and take meaningful snaps down the stretch should an injury bug hit this group in the regular season.

5. Xavien Howard or Stephon Gilmore, CB

The temptation to put Micah Hyde here was unreal and would have bookended this list with two possible reunions. However, Green Bay currently has an abundance of talent at safety. Why not build depth at a position that has been a question mark the last couple of seasons? Howard and Gilmore are a tie for this spot.

One thing Green Bay's defense sorely missed in 2023 was interceptions. The team had only seven. Rudy Ford and Rasul Douglas combined for three, but they are both gone.

Howard is a two-time NFL interception leader, with 29 for his career, including 10 in 2020. He only made one interception in 2023 but still had 12 passes defended in 13 games, which would have led the Packers.

Gilmore is two years older than Howard, but a short-term deal could make sense here for the savvy vet. Gilmore was linked to Green Bay in 2021 before being traded to Carolina. He brought in two interceptions last season, having 31 for his career, and would have also led the Packers with 13 passes defended.

For now, cornerback is a fairly healthy position. Carrington Valentine returned from injury to practice on Wednesday, and knock on wood, Eric Stokes and Jaire Alexander have been healthy. That said, should one of these three guys go down, the Packers should pick up the phone.

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