The early moves made by general manager Brian Gutekunst in the free agency period have been commendable. While it’s premature to conclude that the Green Bay Packers, or any team for that matter, have completed their offseason dealings, the initial outcomes of Green Bay’s venture into free agency seem promising.
Undoubtedly, losing Aaron Jones to the Minnesota Vikings and bidding farewell to David Bakhtiari signified significant blows for the Packers, marking the end of a notable era.
However, it’s evident that Green Bay has strengthened its roster with the acquisitions of safety Xavier McKinney and running back Josh Jacobs. McKinney is anticipated to emerge as a cornerstone and standout performer for the Packers’ defense in the long term, boasting All-Pro potential.
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Likewise, Jacobs, who earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2022 after an impressive display with the Las Vegas Raiders, offers substantial promise despite a somewhat underwhelming performance in 2023. If he can rebound from his setbacks and maintain his fitness, he could become a key asset in the Packers’ running game.
Gutekunst’s adept maneuvering has garnered praise, with analysts at The Athletic believing that the team’s improvements are substantial enough to elevate them from the sixth to the fifth position in their post-free agency NFL rankings. Notably, the Packers’ decision to replace Aaron Jones with Josh Jacobs, along with their significant investment in McKinney to bolster the defense under new coordinator Jeff Hafley, has been singled out as key factors in this assessment.
Although the departure of David Bakhtiari might seem significant, his limited availability over the past three seasons mitigates the impact of his exit.
In the current rankings, only the Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, and reigning NFL champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, are placed ahead of the Packers.
All indications suggest that the Packers are on the path to reclaiming their competitive edge.
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