2025 NFL Free Agency

[tynimiller]

Few more updates:

CJ Johnson Gardner CB traded to the Texans in exchange for Kenyon Green along with the Eagles getting a 2026 fifth while Texans get a 2026 sixth.

Solomon Thomas DT - Dallas signed him to a two year maximum $8M deal.

DB Elijah Campbell goes to Dolphins with a one year 1.9M deal

Guard Will Fries continues the hot market for starting level OL with a five year $88M deal.

Daniel Jones finds a one year deal with the Colts for $14M (incentives to $17.7M)

 

[Thirteen Below]

Boy... the Vikings are running amok these last 2 days... they are clearly going all in.

C Ryan Kelly
CB Isiah Rodgers
DT Jonathan Allen
G Will Fries

In addition, the word is they are close to a deal with DT Javon Hargrave, and they are expected to sign him when is released on Wednesday, and have locked in several of their own free agents (including Aaron Jones).

And there are rumors that they are going to sign Aaron Rodgers, now that Daniel Jones has signed with the Colts.

They're making a serious effort to buy a Lombardi, and they're going be a much tougher team to get past this season. NFC North is going to be the best division in the NFL again this year, and even stronger than last year.

 

[El Guapo]

...and they're going be a much tougher team to get past this season.

We didn't even get past them last season - swept! Really all that they are missing is a QB and a better defensive secondary. They'll find a way to mess up their OL and I think that Harrison Smith will end up playing one year too long. It should be interesting.

 

[AmishMafia]

We didn't even get past them last season - swept! Really all that they are missing is a QB and a better defensive secondary. They'll find a way to mess up their OL and I think that Harrison Smith will end up playing one year too long. It should be interesting.

Let's hope they sign Aaron Rodgers. A year from now they will be picking top 10 and looking for a new coaching staff.

 

[Heyjoe4]

There’s no mixup. Morgan might’ve been injured but he’s predicted to be a high caliber Guard. Almost every Scouting report reduces him inside and he’s projected to be a + Starter with huge upside and quickly. We just didn’t get to see his ability unfortunately due to injury.

Yes he played Tackle, but as he elevates into the Pro arena his length is not ideal, which is cause for concern. Not to say he can’t play Tackle, but just that he’ll struggle more against the higher caliber Pro ready Rushers who in more recent years benefit from increased length. His makeup though is Guard from everything I’ve read on him. Notice how GB didn’t toy much with him outside. It’s possible he’s a short term answer at Tackle and admittedly he can compensate some with his other traits and should prepare as such. Yet his <33” arms puts him at a disadvantage there. The similar problem we had with Runyon coming out of Michigan at 6’4.2 (but with slightly more length 33.2” arms), still short for an OT (unlike his dad)

Good analysis on why Morgan is better suited for G. Thanks.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Morgan's impressively athletic and while capable of LT play for sure, where was the team's weakest point??? Easily RG which is why he was splitting reps and was quickly from most accounts out playing Rhyan despite dealing with a shoulder injury.

I hope they keep Walker at LT. Old School pointed out Morgan may be better suited for G. Works for me. I also liked the Banks signing. Jenkins at C also seems a winner. Add some late round depth and the OL looks a lot better.

I'll be interested to see what Myers gets in FA. If nothing else, the guy was a consistent starter.

 

[tynimiller]

I hope they keep Walker at LT. Old School pointed out Morgan may be better suited for G. Works for me. I also liked the Banks signing. Jenkins at C also seems a winner. Add some late round depth and the OL looks a lot better.

I'll be interested to see what Myers gets in FA. If nothing else, the guy was a consistent starter.

Myers will get IMO a three year roughly $10M a year type deal

 

[Sanguine camper]

Morgan's impressively athletic and while capable of LT play for sure, where was the team's weakest point??? Easily RG which is why he was splitting reps and was quickly from most accounts out playing Rhyan despite dealing with a shoulder injury.

I would argue that Myers was weaker than Ryhan. That's one reason he's not been resigned. We'll see with Ryhan but he's developed into a dependable starter. I would say he's an upgrade over John Runyan at this point. I'm not arguing Morgan is worse than Ryhan, just that it won't be a cakewalk for Morgan to beat him out since Ryhan is no slouch.

 

[tynimiller]

I would argue that Myers was weaker than Ryhan. That's one reason he's not been resigned. We'll see with Ryhan but he's developed into a dependable starter. I would say he's an upgrade over John Runyan at this point. I'm not arguing Morgan is worse than Ryhan, just that it won't be a cakewalk for Morgan to beat him out since Ryhan is no slouch.

Oh I'd agree for sure, but Morgan was not tasked with that trait, center play. Morgan was already playing sufficient from the jump to force Rhyan to relinquish snaps in games with split time, and that was playing injured.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Myers will get IMO a three year roughly $10M a year type deal

Thanks. How do you like the Hobbs' signing at CB?

 

[tynimiller]

Thanks. How do you like the Hobbs' signing at CB?

I'm mixed. I loved Hobbs as a prospect, crazy athletic, solid but not great length but his agility is insane. All the tools and traits are there and at times he showcased it all and other times he just makes undisciplined mistakes and especially at times has struggled with tackling. His upside is immense and he instantly makes us better in the slot BUT his 202 season he played only outside essentially and did fairly solid. I expect his versatility and physical tools are what attracted us and I get it.

I especially like it when in essence it's likely a two year deal.

 

[tynimiller]

Mike Hughes CB was a guy I mentioned I was curious on signing with Falcons again for three years $18M

 

[Sanguine camper]

Oh I'd agree for sure, but Morgan was not tasked with that trait, center play. Morgan was already playing sufficient from the jump to force Rhyan to relinquish snaps in games with split time, and that was playing injured.

If I had to predict, I would agree that Morgam will beat out Ryhan at RG next season. He's a slightly better athlete. Morgan is faster and stronger than Ryhan but not as explosive. Ryhan can jump much higher and had a great 3-cone drill. In actuality, both are elite athletes. Morgan forced his way into splitting snaps with Ryhan last season but Ryhan is now a better player than he was at the beginning of last year. If they're close, the "tie" will go to Morgan because he's a first round pick and has more years left on his rookie contract. Morgan is very fast for a man his size. If he starts, he could be really good in the screen game.

 

[OldSchool101]

If I had to predict, I would agree that Morgam will beat out Ryhan at RG next season. He's a slightly better athlete. Morgan is faster and stronger than Ryhan but not as explosive. Ryhan can jump much higher and had a great 3-cone drill. In actuality, both are elite athletes. Morgan forced his way into splitting snaps with Ryhan last season but Ryhan is now a better player than he was at the beginning of last year. If they're close, the "tie" will go to Morgan because he's a first round pick and has more years left on his rookie contract. Morgan is very fast for a man his size. If he starts, he could be really good in the screen game.

I like that Rhyan bounced back after a rough start. He played up to his 3rd Round grade in 2024 imo. That said, his cost is cheap and they really seem to be high on Jordan Morgan. If I recall he was more in that early RD2 area on the bulk of Mocks, but we snatched him up in RD1. That just speaks to where we likely had him ranked on our Draft Board. When you draft a player who’s presumably a Guard in Round 1, you expect big things imo. Let’s hope our staff is correct.

 

[tynimiller]

I like that Rhyan bounced back after a rough start. He played up to his 3rd Round grade in 2024 imo. That said, his cost is cheap and they really seem to be high on Jordan Morgan. If I recall he was more in that early RD2 area on the bulk of Mocks, but we snatched him up in RD1. That just speaks to where we likely had him ranked on our Draft Board. When you draft a player who’s presumably a Guard in Round 1, you expect big things imo. Let’s hope our staff is correct.

The primary reason for the guard discussions on Morgan was team based where he was predicted to go and ultimately did go.

Gute said in his post draft interview they feel he can play both.

 

[PackerDNA]

Don't know if it's been mentioned yet somewhere on the site, but Eric Stokes has signed with the Raiders. Best of luck to him maybe he can get his career back on track there

 

[David Ciembronowicz]

This is all one needs to read about GB FA decisions:

Packers Grossly ‘Overpay’ for Free Agents Aaron Banks, Nate Hobbs​

 

[Dantés]

Imagine being so stupid that you could watch Gutekunst crush it in FA for years and decide that his signings are bad because of a headline.

 

[gopkrs]

This is all one needs to read about GB FA decisions:

Packers Grossly ‘Overpay’ for Free Agents Aaron Banks, Nate Hobbs​

Who knows? For both of them huh? I'm glad to see a big bodied guard who's specialty is run blocking. There will be some play action this year.

 

[OldSchool101]

Imagine being so stupid that you could watch Gutekunst crush it in FA for years and decide that his signings are bad because of a headline.

One thing about Gutey n Co that’s undeniable. Excluding current players because who really knows. The talent GB has brought in through FA has thus far been impressive. Guys like Campbell, Rasul, Preston, Amos, ZaDarius, Billy Turner.. have almost all had quite a few highlights. He really hadn’t missed. Whitney Mercilus who barely played or that DT from Seattle Reed played pretty pedestrian. Going off memory here.. Might have been just tasteless filling, but mostly his signings have had really good periods of success.

 

[Schultz]

Imagine being so stupid that you could watch Gutekunst crush it in FA for years and decide that his signings are bad because of a headline.

Well, the headline is in bolded print. So, there's that.

 

[OldSchool101]

Here’s an interesting Tidbit that aligns with this topic.
The Packers are #5 Biggest Spenders in FA…. Or are they?

Minnesota Vikings ($263 million)
New England Patriots ($223 million)
New York Giants ($192 million)
Seattle Seahawks ($151 million)
Green Bay ($148.3 million)

Patriots ($129.4 million) guaranteed
58% guaranteed

Giants ($92 million) guaranteed
48% guaranteed

Seahawks ($80 million) guaranteed
53% guaranteed

Packers ($23.6 million) guaranteed
15.9% guaranteed!

 

[Magooch]

This is all one needs to read about GB FA decisions:

Packers Grossly ‘Underpay’ for Free Agents Aaron Banks, Nate Hobbs​

Well, I saw it written in bold text, so it must be true. Great job, Gute! What a bargain!

 

[Heyjoe4]

I'm mixed. I loved Hobbs as a prospect, crazy athletic, solid but not great length but his agility is insane. All the tools and traits are there and at times he showcased it all and other times he just makes undisciplined mistakes and especially at times has struggled with tackling. His upside is immense and he instantly makes us better in the slot BUT his 202 season he played only outside essentially and did fairly solid. I expect his versatility and physical tools are what attracted us and I get it.

I especially like it when in essence it's likely a two year deal.

Thanks for the details. A two-year deal with a guy who sounds like he still has upside. I like that. He will certainly be motivated to play well for his next contract. Sounds good and the CB group certainly needs the help.

I'm assuming JA will be gone.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Who knows? For both of them huh? I'm glad to see a big bodied guard who's specialty is run blocking. There will be some play action this year.

Agreed. Banks has been a three-year starter for the Niners. 4 years at $77 mil sounds about right for a starter who can step in and help a running game that mostly relies on inside running gaps/lanes. And at 6'5" 325, well that speaks for itself.

And Hobbs still has much to prove but at 2 years, $18 mil, that's hardly a gross overpayment.

Anyway, I don't see the problem. These aren't exciting signings, but who cares?

Gluten will have to find WR help in the draft, and probably day 2. I expect he does DL/DT day one. We'll see.......

I'm just as happy he didn't chase Metcalf or Garrett. They got ridiculous contracts, not to mention the draft capital surrendered. Hard pass.

Finally, the Packers aren't a desperate team. They had a top 10 D last year, maybe top 5, and it was obvious in the playoff loss to the Eagles that OL help was needed. Hobbs seems like a decent addition and I'm sure Gluten will grab another two CBs in the draft. Not much to complain about.