The Green Bay Packers are rarely involved in NFL free agency for top players. However, unexpected circumstances this offseason may possibly pave the way for a significant deal, since the team is apparently seen as a major threat on the free market.
While the Packers currently lack considerable cap space, they may swiftly increase it by releasing offensive lineman David Bakhtiari and linebacker De’Vondre Campbell. The organization is also actively negotiating to restructure Aaron Jones’ deal, and all three transactions would result in approximately $30 million in cap room.
Green Bay will not participate in the bidding war for any of the best cornerbacks, wide receivers, or defensive lineman available this summer. However, one obvious Packers need might be met by a big name, and NFL teams are taking Green Bay seriously this offseason.
According to reports on Sunday, teams across the league consider the Packers a “threat” in the safety market ahead of NFL free agency. It is thought that Green Bay will chase Xavier McKinney, Kamren Curl, and Quandre Diggs.
Green Bay has some ties to McKinney that could help it get its foot in the door during negotiations. McKinney and quarterback Jordan Love share an agent. In addition, Derrick Ansley, the Packers’ defensive backs coach, coached McKinney at Alabama.
The best safeties in NFL free agency include Xavier McKinney, Kamren Curl, Justin Simmons, Quandre Diggs, Geno Stone, and Julian Blackmon.
While McKinney’s signing would count toward the NFL’s compensatory formula, Diggs would not. Because Diggs was dismissed by the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, Green Bay may sign him without jeopardizing their compensatory picks in 2025.
Kamren Curl is another very appealing possibility for the Packers. Curl, a seventh-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, is entering his age-25 season and is highly rated for both his pass coverage and run defense abilities. If the Packers land one of the top safeties in NFL free agency, it would open the door for general manager Brian Gutekunst to spend his first-round pick on an edge rusher or cornerback.
