The Green Bay Packers could use some reinforcements on the defensive interior. Well, a division rival may have a gift in store. Via trade or release, the Vikings plan to part ways with a pair of veterans, running back Aaron Jones and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, when the league year begins later this month. A trade makes less sense, but if Hargrave ends up on the open market, he could be the Packers' guy.
Hargrave has a connection to new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, dating back to their shared time in Philadelphia. With Gannon running the defense in 2021 and '22, Hargrave had arguably his most productive seasons. In addition to making a Pro Bowl, he set career-highs in sacks and tackles for loss.
Now 33, Hargrave is past his prime, but following his possible release from Minnesota, he could be available at a massive discount. On a cheap, short-term deal in free agency, a Hargrave-Gannon reunion could be just the thing to start this new Packers defense off right.
Packers reuniting Jonathan Gannon with Javon Hargrave could give defense a significant upgrade
Coming off an injury-shortened season in San Francisco, Hargrave proved he was still effective during his time with the Vikings in 2025. His Pro Football Focus grade of 68.0 ranked 35th among 134 qualified defensive tackles, and despite recording only 3.5 sacks, his 31 PFF pressures ranked 34th. The 6-foot-2, 305-pound lineman is still a capable force.
The Packers could use help on the defensive front. Last season, Devonte Wyatt was basically left all by his lonesome before going out injured. Colby Wooden did his best to hold down the fort. Otherwise, Green Bay relied on Karl Brooks, rookie Warren Brinson, and Nazir Stackhouse. Even with Wyatt healthy, the roster lacks a second genuine starter.
In Year 1 of the Gannon era, Hargrave could come in and be that. Is he a long-term solution? No, but he could provide stability. Gannon knows how to maximize his skillset. Hargrave had 18.5 sacks and 19 TFLs under Gannon in Philadelphia. He was younger then, true, but just reproducing what he did last year would be better than the Packers' current options opposite Wyatt. Maybe Gannon could even increase his contributions.
The reason the Vikings don't want him isn't so much an issue of talent. It's a financial decision. Cutting Hargrave would spare them nearly $11 million in cap space. The Packers wouldn't have to worry about money.
At this point in his career, having secured a decent chunk of 2026 guaranteed money from his Vikings contract, Hargrave figures to be a fairly cheap option in free agency.
If he becomes available, matching him with Gannon could be a boon worth grabbing.