After the 2023 season came to a close it can be said that the Packers now have a strong, young core led by a quarterback who signed a record-breaking contract. The team is managed by a talented coach, and the core of the team is one of the youngest in the league. One issue still stood out as the team faced 2024, that’s the payroll. The team made hard choices and let key players go. And that meant in the offseason the team had significant gaps to fill on the defense, the offensive line, and at running back. These gaps needed to be addressed not through the draft, but through free agents who could step up on day one.
Before the first snap of the Packers regular season, 24 free agents passed through the front office at Lambeau Field. Not all of these players would make it to the final starting roster. In fact, many would find work with other teams.
24 Free Agents the Packers Considered Before the 2024 Season
- RB Josh Jacobs Las Vegas Raiders
- FS Xavier McKinney New York Giants
- K Greg Joseph Minnesota Vikings
- CB Gemon Green New York Giants
- OT Andre Dillard Tennessee Titans
- WR Julian Hicks Albany Great Danes
- G Lecitus Smith Philadelphia Eagles
- WR Dimitri Stanley Iowa State Cyclones
- DT Spencer Waege San Francisco 49ers
- K James Turner Detroit Lions
- WR Rory Starkey Samford Bulldogs
- WR Jalen Wayne Montreal Alouettes
- QB Jacob Eason New York Giants
- LS Peter Bowden Green Bay Packers
- CB Don Callis Troy Trojans
- CB LJ Davis Tennessee Titans
- DE Brevin Allen Los Angeles Chargers
- K Alex Hale Oklahoma State
- DE Zach Morton San Antonio Brahmas
- RB Nate McCrary Michigan Panthers
- LB Chris Russell San Antonio Brahmas
- FB Henry Pearson Green Bay Packers
- DT Keonte Schad Houston Roughnecks
- K Brayden Narveson Tennessee Titans
Considering a free agent for signing does not necessarily mean the team will place the player on the practice squad, sign them as a backup, or even make them a starter. Some are passing through on their way to other teams, while others are pegged to fill gaps during training camp. Which Packers free agents coming into the franchise made the roster and which players mad the most impact so far?
Safety Xavier McKinny Comes to Green Bay
The team lost long-time starter, Darnell Savage. Savage played for five seasons in Green Bay and started in 69 games where he totaled nine interceptions and 302 combined tackles. Savage played solidly for the Pack, but the team released him, and the Jacksonville Jaguars picked him up.
To replace Savage, the Packers signed free agent Xavier McKinney. With the Giants, he played in 49 games and recorded nine interceptions and 279 tackles. For the Pack, he has started nine games, grabbed an NFL leading six interceptions, and recorded 42 total tackles. McKinney has been a superstar for the Pack and has been a valuable pick-up for the team. He signed a 4-year $67 million contract and will be a lockdown safety for years to come.
Running Back Josh Jacobs Signs With Packers
The loss of long-time Packer Aaron Jones hurt the team and fans alike. Drafted by the Packers, he rushed for 5940 yards and 45 touchdowns over his career. He ranked third all-time on the Packers rushing leaders list and will go down as a legend for the team. But running backs in this era of the NFL don’t last as long as they did even a decade ago, and parting ways would free up big money for other options. The Packers parted ways with Jones, and the search was on for his replacement.
Taking Jones’s place was star Raiders running back Josh Jacobs. The team selected Jacobs with the 24th pick in the 2019 NFL draft. Jacobs played 5 years for the Raiders where he totaled 6993 scrimmage yards and 46 touchdowns. He earned an invitation to a pair of Pro Bowls and was first-team All-Pro in 2022. So far with Green Bay he has played in 9 games and posted 890 total yards and 4 touchdowns. Jacobs signed a four-year $48 million contract and will be the Packers feature back.
Offensive Line Backup Dillard Chosen
The team needed to address the O-line after losing multiple key players, including David Bakhtiari and Jon Runyan Jr. Bakhtiari missed most of the season due to injury, and the team released him. Runyan started all 17 games for the Pack in 2023 and had a solid season at offensive guard. Runyan moved on to the Giants in free agency.
To replace the holes in the offensive line, the Pack signed Andre Dillard to improve their O-line depth. Dillard was selected 22nd overall by the Eagles in the 2019 draft and played three seasons in Philadelphia. Afterward, he spent one season with the Titans before being picked up by the Packers. Since joining the Packers, Dillard has proven to be a solid backup and special-teams player. Dillard signed a 1-year $1.1 million contract with the Packers.
McKinney and Jacobs represent the headlining Packers free-agents for 2024. The team would fill the remainder of the gaps through the draft. The Pack selected Arizona tackle Jordan Morgan with their first-round pick. Morgan is a skilled player; however, some analysts view him as a bit of a reach. Nonetheless, he is someone the team believes they can develop into their starting tackle.
The Packers free agents for 2024 are making an impact for the squad. Credit is due to the Packers’ front office, as their well-thought-out decisions have significantly helped the team improve. To achieve this progress, difficult decisions were made; moreover, chances were taken, young players were given opportunities, and, conversely, familiar faces departed. Looking ahead, if key signings perform to their full potential and rookies develop into stars, the team will be well-positioned to make a strong playoff run and contend for a Super Bowl victory.
