3 worst free-agent signings under Packers GM Brian Gutekunst

1. Jimmy Graham

One of Gutekunst's first moves as Packers general manager was to release franchise legend Jordy Nelson. The move was understandable—Nelson's play had declined, and he was entering his age-33 season.

The problem was how Gutekunst replaced Nelson.

Green Bay signed tight end Jimmy Graham to a three-year, $30 million deal. It was viewed as a risk at the time, as Graham was 31 and coming off a career-low in receiving yards and yards per reception.

And those fears became a reality. The Packers released Graham after two seasons, with the veteran catching 93 passes for 1,083 yards and five touchdowns. His numbers were OK, but Graham never became the difference-maker the Packers hoped they had signed.

Graham couldn't block, struggled to add yards after the catch, and wasn't a consistent red-zone target. Having caught 10 touchdowns in his final season in Seattle, the Packers hoped for more than five in his two years in Green Bay.

It quickly became clear that Graham wasn't the Packers' answer at the tight end position, and the team moved on with a year remaining on his contract. Despite struggling in Green Bay, the Chicago Bears signed Graham in free agency—of course they did.

Handing Graham a $30 million contract was Gutekunst's biggest free agency mistake.

More Packers news and analysis