Acme Packing Company - All PostsWhere "Draft and Develop" isn't just a philosophy...it's a way of life.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46645/acmepackingco_fave.png2024-03-19T05:15:00-05:00http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/rss/current/2024-03-19T05:15:00-05:002024-03-19T05:15:00-05:00Packers re-sign yet another cornerback
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<p>Green Bay has now re-signed three of their cornerbacks via free agency with the addition of Robert Rochell.</p> <p id="dMsSzy">Earlier this offseason, the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> had the opportunity to tender cornerback Robert Rochell with a “first right of refusal” tag that would have made the restricted free agent $2.985 million and never let the defensive back hit unrestricted free agency. Instead, the Packers elected to not place that tender on Rochell and have now re-signed the cornerback, <a href="https://twitter.com/RobDemovsky/status/1769871168146972751">per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky</a>.</p>
<p id="blFklS">Assuming that the Packers are acting rationally here, Rochell’s 2024 salary should come under that $2.985 million mark for the season, based on their prior actions. The addition of Rochell adds even more depth to a cornerback unit that was looking bare going into the offseason.</p>
<p id="m1xgvC">Since unrestricted free agency opened up a week ago, the Packers have brought back three of their own cornerbacks: Rochell, <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024/3/18/24104716/green-bay-packers-news-cornerback-keisean-nixon-corey-ballentine-free-agency-2024">Keisean Nixon and Corey Ballentine</a>. Nixon received a three-year contract that gave him a raise of about $2 million per year while Ballentine re-signed on a one-year contract that doubled his 2023 salary. At this point, I think it’s fair to say that Green Bay’s plan is to run it back at the position in 2024.</p>
<p id="52zz8Q">Currently, it appears that Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine will be battling for a starting outside cornerback position opposite of Jaire Alexander with Nixon playing in the slot. From there, Ballentine is a reserve outside cornerback who is a special teams contributor, a role that Rochell will also contribute in.</p>
<p id="A8UYFr">Last season, after Rochell was plucked off of the <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>’ practice squad, he played in nine games for the Packers, recording 112 special teams snaps and never playing on the defensive end of the game. Back in 2022, with the <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a>, Rochell also only played 26 defensive snaps, compared to 325 special teams snaps, another signal that he’s viewed as a special teams player by the league.</p>
<p id="MP531n">Rochell wasn’t the Packers’ only restricted free agent in the 2024 cycle by the way. Patrick Taylor, a pass-protecting running back who also contributed on special teams, was another player that Green Bay could have tendered. He’s now an unrestricted free agent and hasn’t been reported to have signed with another team. At the moment, there’s no update on whether or not he will be brought back to the team on a deal worth less than the nearly $3 million tender that the Packers had the option of placing on him earlier this offseason.</p>
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024/3/19/24105591/green-bay-packers-news-2024-free-agency-update-robert-rochell-cornerback-re-signedJustis Mosqueda2024-03-19T05:00:00-05:002024-03-19T05:00:00-05:002024 NFL Free Agency: Panthers sign T Yosh Nijman to two-year contract
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<figcaption>Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Carolina will pay Nijman an adjustable contract that will nearly double his take home money if he’s able to reach incentives.</p> <p id="k9vz7B">On Tuesday, <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1769860711172198527">NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported</a> that the <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> had signed former <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> tackle Yosh NIjman via free agency. Nijman, who joined the Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2019, had played 67 games for the team, including 22 starts — mostly during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.</p>
<p id="FCtmFv">Going into last offseason, with uncertainty at left tackle due to David Bakhtiari’s injury history, most believed that Nijman had the inside track to be the Packers’ left tackle — if Bakhtiari wasn’t ready to play. Instead, that job ended up going to Rasheed Walker, then a second-year seventh-round pick. Nijman did see the field, though, as he and Walker often rotated, to varying degrees, on a series-by-series basis during the 2023 campaign.</p>
<p id="U2qLN8">In total, Nijman played a total of 1,591 offensive snaps for the Packers and 341 special teams reps during his stint in Green Bay. <a href="https://www.packers.com/video/blocked-yosh-nijman-denies-53-yard-field-goal-attempt-for-daniel-carlson">Nijman also showed a knack for blocking field goals on the kick block unit</a>, which shouldn’t be surprising considering that he’s a 6’7” lineman.</p>
<p id="kBwNfS">Per <a href="https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1769882545485762983">NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero</a>, Nijman signed a two-year contract worth a base value of $8 million that can hit $15 million with incentives. $5 million of that base value is guaranteed. On paper, this is a low-risk, high-reward deal for the Panthers, who signed a top-level swing tackle to a contract that scales to a still below-market-value contract if Nijman does end up breaking into the starting lineup.</p>
<p id="fcxRHn">The Panthers have been working overtime to fix their offensive line this free agency period, adding guards Damien Lewis (four years, $53 million) and Robert Hunt (five years, $100 million) to their unit. Carolina also brings back Ikem Ekwonu, a 2022 first-round pick, and Taylor Moton, who has started every game for the Panthers since the 2018 season, at tackle.</p>
<p id="w40bEb">It will be hard for Nijman to see playing time in Carolina, but at least he’s being compensated like one of the best backups in the league — which he is.</p>
<p id="7GgXNR">On the Packers’ end of things, this is just yet another offensive lineman that they’ve lost in free agency over the year. Earlier this offseason, the squad also lost guard Jon Runyan Jr. to the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>. Runyan, like Nijman, was a rotational player for Green Bay in 2023, splitting time at right guard with 2022 third-round pick Sean Rhyan.</p>
<p id="th4VMG">Currently, the only backup offensive lineman on the Packers’ roster with any sort of significant playing time under his belt is guard Royce Newman, who is going into the final year of his rookie contract. With so many players on Green Bay’s offensive line only having one or two years remaining on their current deals, assume that the team will take multiple players at the position in next year’s draft.</p>
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024/3/19/24105589/2024-nfl-free-agency-news-green-bay-packers-carolina-panthers-sign-yosh-nijman-contract-detailsJustis Mosqueda2024-03-18T08:39:23-05:002024-03-18T08:39:23-05:00The Packers seem more than content with running it back at cornerback
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<p>Both Keisean Nixon and Corey Ballentine received raises for their play in 2023 and will return in 2024.</p> <p id="GKdJ2o">After re-signing two of their own in the opening week of free agency, the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>’ cornerback position — a room that coming into the offseason featured little depth — is starting to fill out. Not only did the Packers bring back Keisean Nixon and Corey Ballentine, but both players received significant raises from 2023.</p>
<p id="wJ1iRp">After a breakout season as a kick returner in 2022, Nixon re-signed with Green Bay on a one-year, $4 million contract. Along with that money came a new expectation: That the cornerback would also contribute as the team’s slot corner moving forward. Nixon did just that in 2023, playing the second-most snaps in the slot of any player in the league.</p>
<p id="aCv8mx">It appears that the Packers want that trend to continue, as Nixon was brought back on a three-year contract in free agency. We don’t have full details of his contract at this time, but <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1767638424461148523">NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported</a> that those three seasons are expected to come at a cost of $18 million to Green Bay with the potential for Nixon to make an extra $1.2 million on top of that via incentives. On a per-year basis, that comes out to $6 million to $6.4 million for Nixon’s services — a clear raise from his 2023 salary.</p>
<p id="NSFRJL">Nixon wasn’t the only one who apparently impressed the Packers’ brass last season, though. Ballentine, who saw playing time in 2023 due to injuries after previously contributing as a special teamer, received a $500,000 signing bonus along with $220,000 in per-game bonuses, a $100,000 workout bonus and a $1.28 million salary that is worth $155,000 more than the NFL minimum for a player with his amount of seasons in the league. In total, his deal boils down to a <a href="https://twitter.com/KenIngalls/status/1769567893467877859">one-year, $2.1 million contract per cap analyst Ken Ingalls</a>.</p>
<p id="6QdZI9">To put that into perspective, Ballentine re-signed with Green Bay last season on just a $1.08 million deal. Now, he’ll make nearly double that, as long as he makes the roster. That’s no promise, as the Packers can still move off his contract, but the guarantees he was given certainly signal that the team is giving him an inside track to make the 53-man roster in September. Over the last two seasons, Ballentine has also played 220 special teams snaps for Green Bay over 22 games, another factor that improves his job security.</p>
<p id="XeItic">So while many expected personnel to change under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the Packers seem to be going in a different direction: doubling down on their internal options. At the moment, the team returns all five of its top cornerbacks from the second half of the season, following the trade of Rasul Douglas at the deadline.</p>
<p id="3thmGp">Green Bay could certainly take a cornerback in April’s draft, if the team finds value, but don’t assume that the front office will be anxious to add a body at the position in 2024. At the moment, it appears that Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine will be battling at outside cornerback opposite of Jaire Alexander — with Ballentine being an emergency option — while Nixon plays in the slot.</p>
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024/3/18/24104716/green-bay-packers-news-cornerback-keisean-nixon-corey-ballentine-free-agency-2024Justis Mosqueda2024-03-18T08:00:00-05:002024-03-18T08:00:00-05:00Monday Cheese Curds: Free agent pickings are already slim for Packers after one week
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<p>The market is already drying up, particularly at linebacker, where the Packers have yet to make any notable additions.</p> <p id="Prkeq9">Get ready for a lot of Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie this fall.</p>
<p id="Z3Rqbv">The <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> could do far worse than these two players as their top two linebackers in 2024, but they are the only players with any substantial experience in the team’s linebacker room at present. Considering that position is one that will need a bigger group of bodies in Jeff Hafley’s defense than in the previous 3-4 scheme, it’s at least somewhat concerning that the team has not yet signed an outside free agent at that position — and that special teamer Kristian Welch is the only player who has re-signed.</p>
<p id="qwYwcx">After the Packers’ big spending spree on the first day or two of free agency, when they brought in two big names and re-signed Keisean Nixon, it has been all quiet on Lombardi Avenue. Maybe the team is just biding its time, waiting for all of the big money to get thrown around and getting ready to pounce in the second wave of free agency. </p>
<p id="zGNARt">Then again, maybe the team is done making substantial additions in the market and is turning its attention over to the 2024 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>. The Packers do have 11 picks this year, including five in the first 91 picks and another six on day three of the draft, so there will be plenty of ammunition to find young players who should be able to contribute in a meaningful way this fall.</p>
<p id="eAyoxT">But for now, fans are back to waiting and wondering about what the team’s plans are, especially at linebacker. And there’s not all that much left to be excited about on the free agent market.</p>
<p id="UgexA1"><a href="https://www.packers.com/news/josh-jacobs-xavier-mckinney-excited-to-join-hungry-group-of-packers">Josh Jacobs, Xavier McKinney excited to join ‘hungry group’ of Packers | Packers.com</a><br>The former Crimson Tide teammates are reuniting in Green Bay, with both players citing the team's competitiveness and <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> aspirations as major reasons for signing.</p>
<p id="nRymlR"><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F5348068%2F2024%2F03%2F18%2Fpackers-free-agency-remaining-needs%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acmepackingcompany.com%2F2024%2F3%2F18%2F24104710%2Fpackers-news-3-18-cheese-curds-free-agent-pickings-are-already-slim-after-one-week-mckinney-jacobs" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">What are the Packers’ biggest remaining needs after first week of free agency? - The Athletic ($)</a><br>Of course, the Packers still need to bring in some more reinforcements, particularly at linebacker, safety, and along the offensive line.</p>
<p id="4LieWN"><a href="https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2024/03/17/packers-running-low-on-free-agent-options-at-lb-position/">Packers running low on free agent options at LB position | Packers Wire</a><br>Unfortunately, the free agent linebacker market -- which was already weak to begin with -- is drying up fast. Zach Cunningham is arguably the best player remaining, and although he led the NFL in tackles in 2020, the 30-year-old has bounced around through three teams over the last three years.</p>
<p id="4U5B4o"><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/packers/news/with-plenty-of-cap-space-why-are-packers-dormant-in-nfl-free-agency">With Plenty of Cap Space, Why Did Packers Stop Spending in NFL Free Agency? - Sports Illustrated</a><br>So why is it that the Packers haven't spent much money after their initial flurry last week? One theory is that they plan to bank some cap space for 2025 and beyond to pay for some big contract extensions for their deserving young players.</p>
<p id="gFLHNV"><a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/bears-trading-qb-justin-fields-to-steelers-in-exchange-for-a-conditional-sixth-round-pick">Bears trading QB Justin Fields to Steelers in exchange for 2025 conditional sixth-round pick | NFL.com</a><br>At least the Packers don't have to worry about the quarterback position like our neighbors to the south. The Bears couldn't get more than a day-three pick for Fields, and the pick will max out at a 4th-rounder (if he plays more than half of the offensive snaps this season).</p>
<p id="6Jcwna"><a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-warning-cockpit-seats-787-dreamliner-07c59619ab48c9cbea2a4df091fd6d21">Boeing tells airlines to check pilot seats after report that an accidental shift led plane to plunge | AP News</a><br>Every headline related to Boeing these days reads like a Mad Lib.</p>
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https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024/3/18/24104710/packers-news-3-18-cheese-curds-free-agent-pickings-are-already-slim-after-one-week-mckinney-jacobsEvan "Tex" Western2024-03-17T20:47:02-05:002024-03-17T20:47:02-05:00Former Packers LB De’Vondre Campbell goes on social media rant about team
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<p>“Listen if I would’ve listened to half the stuff they were telling me I would’ve NEVER went all pro,” tweeted the linebacker on Sunday.</p> <p id="5AzZWc">Former <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> linebacker De’Vondre Campbell has never been shy on social media. In December, he let the world know that he was no longer going to play through injuries for the Packers, stating, “<a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2023/12/19/24008092/green-bay-packers-news-devondre-campbell-injury-update-2023">When s*** goes wrong they always use it against you</a>.” Earlier this week, after being released by the team, he posted on his Instagram page that he was “<a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024/3/16/24103123/green-bay-packers-news-lb-devondre-campbell-has-thoughts-on-franchise-on-the-way-out">badly misused</a>” by the franchise. On Sunday, he spent a good amount of expounding on those thoughts on Twitter/X.</p>
<p id="FQhiII">Campbell claims that he was able to make All-Pro by turning down the Packers’ requests to be used in certain ways. According to the linebacker, a couple of the reasons why his play declined in 2022 and 2023 were because the team wanted him to break based on the quarterback’s eyes, rather than keying on routes, and that he didn’t get to press receivers or tight ends when detached from the box.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fast forward to 2022, 2023 season I tried to be a team guy and play within the system and do what they asked “Be more visual on QB and not look up routes” “Back up from LOS so I’m not pressing every WR or TE” Look at what happened. They had me, Quay out there looking clueless smh</p>— De'Vondre Campbell (@Came_Along_Way) <a href="https://twitter.com/Came_Along_Way/status/1769369950265765931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="Qjnpma">Campbell also stated that he was never asked to take a pay cut to remain on the roster in 2024. The linebacker had three years left on his five-year, $50 million deal when Green Bay elected to release him earlier this offseason. Since his release, he has signed a one-year contract with the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>. Former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers also liked the tweet, which adds just another level to the comment.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The organization didn’t even call me to ask if I wanted to take a pay cut. They just released me after going in the media and saying me and Aaron jones were apart of the future plans. They could’ve just told me the truth. I could easily be bitter but I’m not. <a href="https://t.co/f9Wvqbgiqv">https://t.co/f9Wvqbgiqv</a></p>— De'Vondre Campbell (@Came_Along_Way) <a href="https://twitter.com/Came_Along_Way/status/1769372644535664666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="8OX8Kp">According to him, the run game also suffered due to the defensive scheme. Per Campbell, the Packers’ linebackers were taught to slow play their run fits so that they could trigger at the same time as the team’s safeties in an effort to limit the defense getting “gashed.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Because we ran a split safety system meaning we use our safeties a lot in the run fit so if I shoot my gap before the safety triggers we can get gashed so most of the time me and quay were just tryna buy time for our safeties to get there. We don’t have MOFC structure <a href="https://t.co/HVdFC5LP6d">https://t.co/HVdFC5LP6d</a></p>— De'Vondre Campbell (@Came_Along_Way) <a href="https://twitter.com/Came_Along_Way/status/1769375200947142985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="A2MeMG">Campbell also claimed that the defense turned around when he began to meet privately with Matt LaFleur and told the head coach that the team “needed to be more aggressive.” In this context, aggressive meant playing more press man coverage and blitzing more from the second level of the defense.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">You wanna know why we played better??? Because I started going and having private meetings with Matt telling him we needed to be more aggressive. We needed more man and we needed to blitz more and what happened when they listened to me. WE PLAYED WELL AND WON ITS NO COINCIDENCE <a href="https://t.co/YlSPBU175D">https://t.co/YlSPBU175D</a></p>— De'Vondre Campbell (@Came_Along_Way) <a href="https://twitter.com/Came_Along_Way/status/1769376519674065408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="a1K6oC">Not everything was negative, though, as Campbell said that fellow linebacker Quay Walker was also misused, as he was “thinking too much” in defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s scheme. Per Campbell, new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s scheme “will fit [Walker] perfectly.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Quay is going to be just fine. They just had him thinking too much he’s a dawg you don’t make dawgs think you just let them play. He’s a great player. I think this new system will fit him perfectly. <a href="https://t.co/2eheqGVa4S">https://t.co/2eheqGVa4S</a></p>— De'Vondre Campbell (@Came_Along_Way) <a href="https://twitter.com/Came_Along_Way/status/1769399647909380149?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="m3AnzQ">Ultimately, who knows who is truly at fault for Campbell’s decline, be it Campbell’s usage, Campbell himself or the injuries that Campbell stacked up over the years. It doesn’t appear that he has many nice things to say about the Packers’ coaching staff, even if he calls Green Bay’s organization the <a href="https://twitter.com/Came_Along_Way/status/1769367480756015107">best he’s ever been a part of</a>.</p>
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024/3/17/24104408/green-bay-packers-news-devondre-campbell-social-media-posts-defensive-coordinator-joe-barry-schemeJustis Mosqueda2024-03-17T06:00:00-05:002024-03-17T06:00:00-05:002024 NFL Free Agency: The linebacker market is dry
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<figcaption>Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Very few veteran starters are left on the open market after just one week of free agency.</p> <p id="h0tLVQ">Over the weekend, linebackers continued to fly off the NFL's free agency board. The <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> signed former Miami Dolphin <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1769107466057400693">Jerome Baker to a one-year, $7 million contract</a>. Former Washington Commander <a href="https://twitter.com/davidcanter/status/1768786871507726450">Cody Barton signed with the Denver Broncos</a>. Even De’Vondre Campbell was signed by the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>.</p>
<p id="IUL5Y7">To put it simply, the linebacker market is as dry as any position after one week of free agency. <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnfl%2Ffree-agency%3Fseason%3D2024&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acmepackingcompany.com%2F2024%2F3%2F17%2F24103569%2F2024-nfl-free-agency-green-bay-packers-update-the-linebacker-market-is-dry" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">According to Pro Football Focus</a>, there were 24 off-ball linebackers worth ranking in the company’s top 249 free-agent prospects coming into the free-agency period. Currently, only four of them are available: Zach Cunningham, Shaquille Leonard, Denzel Perryman and Isaiah Simmons.</p>
<p id="1UgX5N">There’s been essentially no update on the status of Cunningham, Leonard and Simmons, but <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1769021929162174505">NFL reporter Aaron Wilson stated</a> on Saturday that Perryman is having “productive contract discussions” with both the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> and <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a>, meaning that another linebacker may come off the board soon.</p>
<p id="h1okuM">It’s getting to the point where the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> may want to start looking at the veteran trade market, even if it’s for a short-term stopgap player. The Packers’ new 4-3 defense, which theoretically should be playing its nickel cornerback less than they did under Joe Barry, demands three starting linebackers. Currently, those players are Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Kristian Welch and/or Christian Young. McDuffie was a rotational player last year, often being pulled off the field on passing downs, while Welch was a special teams-only player and Young was converting from the safety position on the practice squad.</p>
<p id="Oy8cEB">It’s not looking great right now, so don’t be surprised if the team ends up trying to re-sign reserve linebacker and special teams contributor Eric Wilson in free agency. <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024/3/10/24096804/2024-green-bay-packers-free-agency-tracker-latest-rumors-news-updates">It was previously reported that Wilson was a player that the team wanted to bring back</a>, but there have been no updates on that front in about a week.</p>
<p id="H7wwLf">The fact that the draft class isn’t particularly strong at the linebacker position, either, didn’t help slow down the free-agent market this year. <a href="https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/big-boards/2024/consensus-big-board-2024?pos=LB">Only five linebackers are ranked inside the consensus draft board’s top 120</a> with the top player being 45th-ranked Edgerrin Cooper of <a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M</a>. Luckily for Packers fans who want to see the team address the position via the draft, <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/green-bay-packers-draft/2024/3/14/24100830/packers-top-30-visit-tracker-which-2024-nfl-draft-prospects-are-visiting-green-bay">Cooper is one of the first two players who was reported to have a “top 30” private visit with Green Bay</a>.</p>
<p id="mXjLY2">So who will start at linebacker for Green Bay this year? It’s anyone’s guess. What we do know is that their options are narrowing.</p>
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024/3/17/24103569/2024-nfl-free-agency-green-bay-packers-update-the-linebacker-market-is-dryJustis Mosqueda2024-03-16T19:02:10-05:002024-03-16T19:02:10-05:00Packers Reacts Results: Most fans say they would have brought Aaron Jones back
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<p>Fewer than one-third of Green Bay fans say they would have let the running back hit free agency this offseason.</p> <p id="0lhYRo"><em>Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in </em><a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/"><em><strong>Green Bay Packers</strong></em></a><em> fans and fans across the country. </em><a href="https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/EFIUQ7/"><em><strong>Sign up here</strong></em></a><em> to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.</em></p>
<p id="UqJlUx">Let’s react to the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>’ free agency signings! Generally, fans seem to have positive views of the additions of safety Xavier McKinney and running Josh Jacobs, but one was more well-received than the other. Let’s get into it.</p>
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<p id="d4oZ81">Packers fans overwhelmingly support the team signing safety Xavier McKinney in free agency. Despite signing a four-year, $67 million contract that pays the non-Pro Bowler like a top three safety in the league, fans are ecstatic that the franchise was able to land the top free agent at the position that was relatively vacant going into the offseason.</p>
<p id="MKzpT2"><a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024/3/13/24100266/green-bay-packers-news-2024-free-agency-update-josh-jacobs-xavier-mckinney-contract-details-cap-hit">As we explained earlier this week</a>, McKinney’s deal is functionally a two-year, $36.9 million contract with team options for $13.4 million and $16.8 million in 2026 and 2027, respectively. <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/cap/2025/">With the Packers currently having nearly $90 million in cap space for the 2025 season</a>, this is pretty close to a no-risk deal, in terms of the squad being able to retain its own talent moving forward, despite the perceived “overpay.”</p>
<p id="ETs9FS">Ultimately, 96 percent of fans gave the McKinney signing an A or B grade. Only 1 percent gave McKinney’s addition either a D or F grade.</p>
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<p id="zB1crA">One signing that is a little less popular, but is still viewed positively, is the addition of running back Josh Jacobs. 77 percent of Packers fans gave the deal an A or B grade while 5 percent responded with a D or F grade.</p>
<p id="01PzZ1">Jacobs signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the team that functions as a <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024/3/13/24100266/green-bay-packers-news-2024-free-agency-update-josh-jacobs-xavier-mckinney-contract-details-cap-hit">two-year, $23 million deal with team options of $11.5 million and $13.5 million in 2026 and 2027, respectively</a>. Those who dislike the signing of Jacobs seem to feel one of two ways. First, they feel that Jacobs’ 2022 season should have been more productive to warrant a deal of his stature, though, <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024/3/16/24102651/green-bay-packers-news-free-agency-2024-players-coming-to-play-with-qb-jordan-love">Jacobs has since stated that 10 to 12 teams were interested in him in free agency</a> — driving up his price. Second, some fans might be looking at the alternative that was bringing back Aaron Jones, a fan favorite, at a lower short-term cost.</p>
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<p id="tH5U4Z">Speaking of Jones, fewer than one-third of Packers fans say they would have let the running back walk this offseason. <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024/3/13/24099285/green-bay-packers-news-aaron-jones-contract-update-minnesota-vikings-final-offer-details-2024">Based on the reporting out there</a>, Green Bay asked Jones to take a paycut from his $12 million figure in 2024. Their final offer was a one-year deal with a base of $4 million that could increase by $2 million via incentives earned during the 2024 season. Jones’ camp turned that contract down, which led to the Packers deciding to release the back. Now, he’s playing on a one-year, $6 million deal — the cost that Green Bay would have paid if Jones hit all of his incentives in 2024 — with the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>. He can also earn an additional $1 million in incentives this season.</p>
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024/3/16/24103217/green-bay-packers-reacts-results-aaron-jones-release-free-agency-2024-xavier-mckinney-josh-jacobsJustis Mosqueda2024-03-16T12:19:59-05:002024-03-16T12:19:59-05:00Packers announce jersey numbers for free agent signings
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<p>If you want to buy a Josh Jacobs or Xavier McKinney jersey, you can now find them in the Packers’ Pro Shop.</p> <p id="GR5B9x">You can now buy Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney jerseys from the <a href="https://www.packersproshop.com/green-bay-packers-jerseys?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=pps_social&utm_content=240316_post_free_agency">Green Bay Packers’ Pro Shop</a>, as the team has announced their free agent signings’ new numbers. Jacobs will be wearing #8 while McKinney will sport #29.</p>
<p id="zcoklz">Jacobs landed #8 via 2023 fifth-round quarterback Sean Clifford, who will now wear #6. Clifford wore #14 in college and high school, so it doesn’t appear that he had much of an emotional connection to #8. Meanwhile, Jacobs has worn #8 in high school, in college at Alabama and with the <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a>.</p>
<p id="n2tS2P">McKinney’s #29 was also a number that was taken up until a few days ago. Practice squad cornerback Zyon Gilbert held that number and has since made the swap to #30. McKinney wore #29 with the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>, but he wore #15 with Alabama and in high school.</p>
<p id="LBL6QE">McKinney, comically, learned quickly why #15 — a number retired in honor of former <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> quarterback Bart Starr — was not worn by any player currently on Green Bay’s roster.</p>
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<p id="7lvpLO">At the moment, it appears that the Packers’ internal signings will keep their numbers, too. Running back AJ Dillon, tight end Tyler Davis, linebacker Kristian Welch, cornerback Keisean Nixon and cornerback Corey Ballentine are all expected to don the same numbers that they’ve worn for Green Bay in the past.</p>
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024/3/16/24103170/green-bay-packers-news-jersey-numbers-josh-jacobs-xavier-mckinney-uniforms-available-pro-shopJustis Mosqueda