The first wave of free agency is in the books. Unsurprisingly, the story for the Green Bay Packers was about outgoings, not incoming moves.
They did acquire talent in areas of need. Green Bay traded for linebacker Zaire Franklin before signing cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, and wide receiver/return specialist Skyy Moore. But they also lost several key starters. Romeo Doubs. Rashan Gary. Elgton Jenkins. Quay Walker. Rasheed Waker. They've all departed. Even backup quarterback Malik Willis is gone.
It's early in the offseason, but who are the biggest winners and losers for the Packers after the first week of free agency?
Winners and losers for the Packers after the opening week of free agency
Winner: Matthew Golden
Second-year Matthew Golden flashed potential almost any time he had an opportunity in his rookie season, but he remained stuck in a logjam at the wide receiver position.
That path has now cleared following Romeo Doubs' departure.
Doubs led Packers receivers in snap counts last term by a long way, and Jordan Love targeted him a team-high 85 times. Doubs will now catch passes from Drake Maye in New England, leaving a void in Green Bay's passing attack.
It doesn't just give Golden an opportunity. The Packers need him to play a full-time role moving forward. Brian Gutekunst selected Golden in the first round with one eye on this offseason, knowing he would likely lose at least one of Doubs or Christian Watson.
Golden's stock rises dramatically following Doubs' departure.
Winner: Sean Rhyan
Six months ago, there was no way anybody believed the Packers would retain Sean Rhyan. He even said so himself. Many didn't believe Rhyan would return a week ago.
Yet here we are. Not only is Rhyan back in Green Bay, but the Packers have made him the seventh-highest-paid center in the NFL. He received a three-year, $33 million deal, a stunning turn of events considering Rhyan made only seven starts at the position.
The Packers confirmed their plans to start Rhyan at center by releasing Elgton Jenkins, who has since joined the Cleveland Browns. Green Bay could (and should) add competition across the offensive line via the draft, but it's clear Rhyan is the starting center moving forward.
Winner: Jordan Morgan
Rasheed Walker also departed in free agency. That's significant, as he had started 48 games at left tackle since replacing David Bakhtiari in 2023.
His departure pushes the door wide open for 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan. The left tackle job is almost certainly his. It's his to lose, at least.
Green Bay doesn't have much competition on the roster, but even if that changes in the draft, Morgan will almost certainly begin training camp comfortably in pole position for the job. The Packers experimented with Morgan at guard, with some disappointing results, but he looked far more comfortable playing at right tackle while Zach Tom was out. He will now get a chance to build on that in his natural left tackle position.
Winner: Keisean Nixon
Cornerback remains a need for the Packers. That's an evergreen statement.
The Packers did make one move by signing Benjamin St-Juste, but his arrival allowed the team to release Nate Hobbs. It has little impact on Keisean Nixon's role as the CB1. St-Juste thrived in a backup role for the Los Angeles Chargers last season, and he will likely compete with Carrington Valentine for a starting job opposite Nixon.
Green Bay still desperately needs to add reinforcements via the draft, but Gutekunst made his plan clear earlier this winter, saying the team didn't need "wholesale changes" at cornerback, just more depth. His work in free agency reflects that.
Even if the Packers add one cornerback, or even multiple, in next month's draft, it'll likely be for depth or competition for Valentine. Nixon's chances of remaining the CB1 in Green Bay have increased.
Loser: Jordan Love
Jordan Love is undoubtedly still surrounded by a strong supporting cast. However, his top target, Doubs, is gone. While no other pass-catchers have departed, there have been rumors that teams are showing interest in trading for Dontayvion Wicks. That's something to watch.
The Packers also opted to run it back with an offensive line that fell well short of expectations last season. Green Bay restructured Aaron Banks' deal, almost guaranteeing he isn't going anywhere for the next two years. Re-signing Rhyan instead of signing a more experienced center in free agency was also a risky decision.
Love also lost his backup quarterback, with Malik Willis following Jeff Hafley to the Miami Dolphins.
Loser: Josh Jacobs
Josh Jacobs has even more reason to feel frustrated about the offensive line decisions. Pro Football Focus ranked the Packers 22nd in run-blocking last season. It looked far worse at times.
PFF had Aaron Banks 64th among 89 guards in run-blocking. Anthony Belton ranked 72nd. Sean Rhyan showed more promise, ranking 17th among centers. But the offensive line consistently struggled to generate much push in the run game, with 717 of Jacobs' 929 rushing yards coming after contact.
The Packers had opportunities in free agency. They could've signed veteran center Tyler Biadasz, who earned PFF's 12th-best run-blocking grade last season. Green Bay paid Rhyan more money than Biadasz, who is a former Pro Bowler with 84 career starts at center.
Jacobs also lost Emanuel Wilson, his dependable No. 2 running back. The Packers retained Chris Brooks and they still have MarShawn Lloyd, but Wilson became so important to the offense when Jacobs had to exit the game. Green Bay will almost certainly need to add another running back this offseason.
Loser: Micah Parsons
The Packers did strengthen their pass rush by adding Javon Hargrave. That's undoubtedly a positive move.
But they did little else to support Micah Parsons. Sure, landing a fourth-round pick for Rashan Gary was fantastic business. Gary offered little production at the backend of last season and left the Packers with no choice but to move on. It's not surprising that Kingsley Enagbare signed elsewhere, either. Green Bay also traded away Colby Wooden.
All of those decisions make sense, but the Packers' failure to add another edge-rusher could come back to haunt them. They could've strengthened their depth with a pass-rusher like K'Lavon Chaisson, who signed a one-year, $11 million deal with the Washington Commanders. He had 7.5 sacks last season.
Green Bay is relying on Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, and Collin Oliver to step up, especially if Parsons misses the start of the season.
Devonte Wyatt and Hargrave can provide interior pressure, but the Packers will need to add at least one more edge-rusher and defensive tackle in the draft. The pressure is on.