5 best free-agent signings under Packers GM Brian Gutekunst

Brian Gutekunst hinted at being active in free agency, and Green Bay Packers fans can have confidence in their general manager.

It's important to approach free agency with caution. It's easy to overpay for players who fail to meet expectations and leave a damaging impact on the salary cap. But Gutekunst has far more hits than misses when adding free agents to the Packers' roster.

We previously covered Gutekunst's worst free-agent moves. Spoiler: There weren't many.

Most of Gutekunst's signings have produced at least solid results, and in some cases, they were game-changing additions.

Before we get into the top five, Billy Turner, Marcedes Lewis, and Tramon Williams deserve honorable mentions. Also, this list includes players signed in free agency during the offseason. This rules out some of Gutekunst's great in-season additions like Rasul Douglas and Bashaud Breeland.

5. Keisean Nixon

Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur prioritized fixing the special teams in the 2022 offseason. Repeated mistakes on fourth down led to their playoff downfall the season prior, and the Packers had seen enough. Along with hiring veteran special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, Gutekunst brought in core special teams players via free agency.

Keisean Nixon was among them. Nixon had worked with Bisaccia in Las Vegas and would instantly become an important special teams player in Green Bay.

But few could've predicted just how significant of an impact he would make. Nixon replaced Amari Rodgers as Green Bay's kick returner midway through the 2022 season, and he didn't need long to become the league leader in kick return yards.

Nixon is now a two-time first-team All-Pro, having put up 1,791 kick return yards with one touchdown at an average of 27.6 yards per return. He also contributes on defense, having made 13 starts at slot corner in 2023.