For the first time in years, the Green Bay Packers will have tens of millions of dollars in salary cap space to work with this summer. This is because previous stars Aaron Rodgers and David Bakhtiari’s dead cap hits are no longer on the books. Furthermore, they can increase cap space by releasing certain players (such as Jaire Alexander) and restructuring the contracts of others (such as Rashan Gary).
It is fortunate that Green Bay has suddenly found itself loaded with cash to spend, as there are numerous needs on the roster that must be addressed. Furthermore, veteran players, rather than young draft picks, must be added to remedy these issues.
The Green Bay Packers need veterans on both offence and defence.
The Packers have been the NFL’s youngest team for the past few seasons. While they have made the playoffs in each of the last two years, they have clearly played like the league’s youngest team, incurring dumb penalties and making other blunders that can be attributed to their inexperience.
Of course, most fans have been focused on the wide receiver position. Christian Watson will be sidelined for most, if not all, of 2025 after tearing his ACL in Week 18 against the Chicago Bears. Green Bay’s other top three wide receivers all had drop percentages ranging from 10 to 12 percent, leading many to believe that the Packers should chase a seasoned pass catcher, ideally one who can become the go-to player in the passing game.
That being said, the roster has more obvious gaps on the defensive side of the ball. This is especially true on the defensive line, as Green Bay’s pass rushers had among the lowest pressure rates in the NFL. As a result, some observers predict the Packers may seek to add a high-profile free agent to the position group.
An NFL analyst says the Green Bay Packers are the best fit for Khalil Mack in free agency.
Green Bay Packers’ Khalil Mack
Packers Named Top Suitor for Chargers OLB Khalil Mack
Last summer, the Packers surprised many pundits and fans by signing safety Xavier McKinney, who is arguably the finest player at his position on the market. However, months before the contract, one analyst identified Green Bay as the ideal landing location for McKinney.
And now he has them ranked as the best option for Khalil Mack, a nine-time Pro Bowler who has spent the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Matt Bowen of ESPN writes on Mack, his ninth-best free agent on the market, and the Packers:
“Adding Mack to partner with Rashan Gary would improve the Packers’ pass rush from the edges. Mack recorded six sacks and 41 pressures in 2024 with the Chargers. And, despite turning 34 this week, he remains a three-down powerhouse with the consistent play speed to heat up the pocket.”
While his age may be cause for concern, Bowen points out that he has not shown any indications of slowing down. Mack, a Pro Bowler in each of the previous three seasons, may provide a significant boost to Green Bay’s pass rush, which was one of the poorest aspects of the defence last season.
Interestingly, this type of signing would bring up thoughts of the Packers’ signing of Julius Peppers, who is now a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Both are former Bears players who joined or could sign with Green Bay in an attempt to add a Super Bowl victory to their impressive credentials.
Peppers was 34 when he signed with the Packers.
