Packers looking for improvement from within

The Reality of the Packers Edge Rush Situation

The Green Bay Packers finished last season in the top 10 in sacks (45) without any true difference-maker performances up front. Under first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, it was clear from the jump that he wanted his edge rushers to play more of a contain role, making the path to the quarterback longer and less aggressive in many scenarios.

What was also odd was the usage for each player coming off the edge, including Rashan Gary, who played nowhere near the level snaps to parallel the amount of money the Packers paid him to have. His 639 snaps were 60 fewer than rotational linebacker Isaiah McDuffie. This type of usage spread far and wide across the defensive front, as the Packers were the only team in the NFL to have at least six primary edge players record at least 150 snaps throughout the season.

Dating back to when snap count began being tracked in 2011, having six or more primary edge players register at least 150 snaps in a season is an extreme outlier. In most cases, a team has three or four, sometimes five edge players who register that many snaps.

As much upside that might come with selecting a defensive end early in the draft, that still doesn't fix the issue of a way-too-many-man edge rotation and doesn't help with getting Van Ness or Cox the snaps they'd need to have the best chance at ascending towards their ceilings. In the short term, adding through the draft will offer about as much potential upside as adding a veteran rotational player. While also bringing the same downsides of adding another body to the mix. Either way, the hope would be for meaningful contributions despite inheriting more risk and potentially creating more questions in the process.

Ultimately, it's reasonable to have expected Gutekunst to swing big to address the edge rush, and the argument is there that he could have been more aggressive. Maybe he still will be; a lot of ball game left until week one. Regardless of his historical blueprints for roster building, if a strategy isn't producing the desired outcome over time, no successful business keeps doing the same thing without making tweaks, taking calculated risks, or hacking a big swing from time to time.

While Gutekunst has proven he will do that, this offseason has ultimately not produced many opportunities. When considering the full perspective of the Packers' edge rush situation and the landscape to improve it, Gutekunst and Co. have to consider far more than meets the eye regarding the state of their edge rush production and what makes the most sense to correct it.

Only time will tell if they got it right.

Sticking to the Draft and Develop Philosophy

Suppose you're a fan of most of the other 31 teams in the NFL. In that case, you probably get excited for free agency at the beginning of March, because chances are your team will be jockeying for a position to wow a few of the top players available at certain positions. You might sign a handful of players, maybe one or two are those top ones available and you'll head into the next season excited about that promising, fresh new face.

If you're a Packers fan, free agency tends to be disappointing. You see the positions where the Packers have need and you keep tabs on the top players available there, only to watch them 9/10 times sign with another team. It's the nature of being a Packer fan in the 21st Century. Why is this? Well Brian Gutekunst, and Ted Thompson before him, believes deeply in the draft and develop philosophy. This can be extremely frustrating for most fans obviously because the excitement just isn't there when it comes to a draft pick compared to a proven vet. Fans want instant almost guaranteed gratification, not hope that a draft pick will work out. Many will drastically disagree, but for the most part, it's worked out.

With this draft and development strategy dominating the Packers' philosophy for the last 20 years, they've had a win percentage of 61.4%. This ranks third among the other 31 teams in the league. That stat isn't anything to take for granted, but a glaring caveat would be that the other teams in the top 5 all have multiple Super Bowl wins and appearances in that timeframe except for the one that sits at number five. Winning seasons are great and all, but when only one of those in 20 years has ended in a Super Bowl win, those seasons tend to feel disappointing. We don't hang banners for divisional wins or playoff appearances in Green Bay, only World Championships.

Many have already started mocking pass rushers to the Packers in the first round. It's a decent assumption, but incorrect. The Packers' lack of signing a pass rusher shows they believe they have too much invested in the pass rush already to sign one to a big contract nor draft them that early. A day two or early day three investment may be more like it. This gives room for Lukas Van Ness to take a big leap in year three and not affect other big investments but also leaves room for if he doesn't, they could still have an up-and-comer in either a draft pick, Enagbare, or Cox Jr.

The draft and develop philosophy surely isn't for the faint of heart. It takes time and patience, and knowing when that patience is not paying off, to move forward. The Packers know this philosophy well, and hopefully, it pays off once again after a frustrating free-agency period for the cheesehead faithful.

Where are the Packers expecting to improve from within?

Aaron Nagler chats with Justis Mosqueda after the first wave of free agency about where the Green Bay Packers are expecting to improve from within their roster.

Packers signing WR Mecole Hardman

Per ESPN, Free agent WR/return specialist Mecole Hardman is signing with the Packers on a one-year deal.

Hardman instantly adds speed and a return element for a team that is undoubtedly looking for a more dynamic presence than Jayden Reed offered on punt returns. In eight seasons, Hardman has tallied 178 receptions for 2,302 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The Packers Are Setting Jordan Morgan Up To Be Their Future At Left Tackle

Every move comes with its risks and rewards. If the Packers let Rasheed Walker test the market and move forward with Jordan Morgan at tackle, Morgan could become Jordan Love’s reliable blindside protector for the next decade. But there’s also the risk that Morgan doesn’t work out on the outside, while Walker could sign a big deal elsewhere and continue to play well. That’s how life works in the NFL, and it’s a risk that Gutekunst will carefully calculate if the team indeed decides to move forward with Morgan as their blindside protector.

The Aaron Banks deal is a strong indicator that the Packers have made their choice regarding whether to pay Zach Tom or Rasheed Walker. While we don’t have any inside sources, we can’t see Green Bay straying from their plan for Jordan Morgan just two seasons into his tenure. 2025 could very well be the last year for Rasheed Walker as the franchise’s left tackle, with Morgan likely stepping in for 2026. That would leave Banks and Elgton Jenkins as guards (or Jenkins as center), with possibly Sean Rhyan (who will also be an unrestricted free agent in 2026) at guard, or someone else they bring in via free agency or the draft. It feels like the Packers are already shaping their long-term plan, with Morgan seeming to be a key part of it.

The Packers Sign Free Agents And Tender Their ERFAs

Be sure to check out our deep dive into all the signings the Packers have made so far this offseason as well as what former Packers have signed for with their new teams.

The Draft Industrial Complex: Tyler Brooke's Top 50 Prospects For 2025

For the latest installment of the Draft Industrial Complex Aaron Nagler and Tyler Brooke discuss Brooke's first Top 50 prospect list for 2025.

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5 Wide Receiver Prospects For The Packers In the 2025 NFL Draft

CHTV contributor Austin Krueger highlights five wide receivers who could make a lot of sense for the Green Bay Packers in April's NFL Draft.

Free Agency Hangover: Trust the Core

It’s clear that every Packers wide receiver needs to take a step up. Watson and Doubs are set to be free agents as of now when the 2025-2026 season concludes. Expect both wide receivers to be motivated on a contract season to perform their best when available. Watson needs to look sharp coming off of an ACL injury. Doubs needs to remain one of QB Jordan Love’s most trustworthy assets when it’s time for a clutch play.

Reed and Love’s chemistry development is a key factor for the offense to start clicking and elevating together. Reed has that number one receiver potential and there should be a trust that he will meet that expectation. Wicks has the ability of being able to consistently get open, which a lot of teams are missing that type of playmaker. If Wicks can improve on the drops, he can be a real catalyst and blossom into a touchdown machine. Milton and Heath both will have more responsibility and a chance to get more playing time with Watson being out. Expect the Packers to also draft a wide receiver adding to the depth chart.

RB Josh Jacobs did not hold back when stating that the team needs a proven number one wide receiver. Maybe it hurt some feelings, but maybe it also lit a fire of motivation for this young wide receiver core. That is what great leaders do, motivate. The potential is there.

Be on the lookout for this year’s CHTV Draft Guide!