The Packers opened up the checkbook Monday as the official unofficial start of free agency officially (but unofficially) kicked off. Hey, if people are going to throw out terms like “legal tampering” we’re going to get equally ridiculous with other terminology.
Tampering or no, the Packers have agreed to terms with two free agents so far, and there may be more in the works. There’s clearly work to be done yet on the Packers’ roster, and that’s not just from a fan perspective. Brian Gutekunst has been pretty open about his dissatisfaction with the Packers’ pass rush performance last year, so it doesn’t seem unreasonable to think they could still fork over some cash for another pass rush specialist.
But so far, at least, the Packers have stayed pretty true to form in free agency. Last year was a bit of an outlier, with the Packers making the somewhat uncharacteristic move of shelling out for a big-name running back — though the Xavier McKinney deal was a pretty classic Packers decision, even if it came with a big price tag. By and large, though, we saw this year what we’ve seen in the past: the Packers spending to supplement key positions or shore up some short-term needs.
Your mileage may vary, but Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs appear to check those boxes. Banks gives the Packers another reliable piece on the offensive line, which is never a bad kind of addition to make. Hobbs, meanwhile, at least gives the Packers some options in the secondary. They think he can play outside, which aligns pretty squarely with the Packers’ biggest need at defensive back right now.
If the Packers make more signings along these lines, they’ll have made some significant headway on improving the roster prior to the NFL Draft.
Expected signing of G Aaron Banks signals position change for Packers OL Elgton Jenkins | Packers Wire
With Banks on board, it looks like Elgton Jenkins is headed to center.
Grading the Packers’ Free-Agent Signing of Aaron Banks | Sports Illustrated
How would you grade the Aaron Banks decision?
Packers plan for incoming free-agent cornerback Nate Hobbs is to move him from slot to perimeter | Packers News
This is a bit of a mild surprise, since Hobbs has played almost exclusively inside in his still-young NFL career.
Predicting Packers’ next 3 moves after signing Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs | Lombardi Ave
Blink-182 voice: Where do we go from here?
Overdue book returned to New Jersey library after 99 years | UPI
Just a bit late!
