Green Bay Packers free agency news is moving slowly out of hibernation. Earlier Monday, they made their first external signing by brining in 49ers offensive lineman Aaron Banks for four years, $77M. This comes after they re-signed kicker Brandon McManus and linebacker Isaiah McDuffie prior to the tampering period legally kicking off today.
Certainly they swung and missed on many of the bigger options in the market. Myles Garret, Maxx Crosby, Tee Higgins, DK Metcalf–all those guys are gone.
Khalil Mack, Chris Godwin–both stayed home.
It wasn’t a blockbuster, but the Packers dipped their toes back into the market with a signing for the secondary late Monday afternoon.
Green Bay Packers Jump in the Free Agency Fray with Key Signing
Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Green Bay has agreed to a 4-year, $48M deal with Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs.
This follows a rash of signings in the secondary that has seen Lion Carlton Davis III head to New England; Jet DJ Reed replace Davis in Detroit; and Vikings safety Cam Bynum sigh with the Colts.
Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
In Green Bay, Hobbs joins a defensive backs room simmering with drama over the apparent pending departure of Jaire Alexander. In theory, the addition of Hobbs would allow the Packers to simply cut Alexander without sacrificing depth.
One reason the team is looking to part ways with Jaire is his inability to stay healthy. Unfortunately, injury is also a concern with Hobbs. Including 6 last season, his fourth in the NFL, he has missed 16 games over the past three years. He came down with one interception in 2024, the third of his career.
Per PFF, Hobbs ranked 110 out of 223 cornerbacks last season with an overall grade of 61.4. In Green Bay, he will join CB Keisean Nixon as the top two backs on the roster. Packers free agent CBs Eric Stokes and Corey Ballentine remain unsigned.
Mostly Positive Sentiment from Packers Fans About Nate Hobbs
What do Packers fans think about the Hobbs signing?
“Does this mean the Alexander release is coming or are they keeping him?”
“That’s good for the Packers. They need some depth on defense.”
“The next Charles Woodson confirmed”. (OK, so maybe this is one is a troll.)
“I looked Nate up his defense could help them out.”
“enjoy him green bay. hes amazing if he can stay healthy.”
Staying on the field will obviously be crucial to the value Hobbs provides this team. The good thing about his contract, no doubt influenced by his track record of injuries, is that only $16M is guaranteed.
Hobbs’ addition to Green Bay may not say much about the team’s plans with Alexander, given that all signs already pointed to his departure, but it certainly gives them an out if they do cut him.
In any case, the Packers will likely need to add another piece or three to keep fans happy. After the hoopla surrounding Garrett, Higgins, and Metcalf, seeing Hobbs and Banks in team headlines, even though those are two solid signings, is something of a consolation prize.
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