Packers News: Division Rivals Projected To Swipe 2 Free Agent Targets on Defense

Despite a defense ranked top-six in points and yards allowed, the Green Bay Packers enter the 2025 offseason looking to shore up several positions. 

Free agency has hit them hardest at linebacker. Both Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson are free to leave, taking 162 tackles between them. Cornerbacks Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine have also walked out the door, as has  safety Zayne Anderson. Most prominently, another injury-plagued season from Jaire Alexander has the team considering whether to simply cut him. 

Ranked in the top 15 in the free agent market, 49ers CB Charvarius Ward and Chargers LB Khalil Mack have both been linked to the Packers. Both would fortify the team, and Mack in particular would provide a major boost. 

According to at least one outlet, though, they are more likely to end up with a pair of NFC North rivals. 

Khalil Mack Is 33 Years Old…and Still the Top-Ranked Edge Rusher in Free Agency

The Packers finished 10th in sacks last season despite blitzing at the 31st-ranked frequency (17.3%), only ahead of the Jaguars’ abysmal unit. While that is impressive, defensive end Rashan Gary led the team with a total of 7.5, tied for 36th in the NFL. The pass rush could use another stud, which is why fans have clamored that the team at least investigate a trade for the likes of Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett. 

As an 11th-year pro past his prime, Mack still offers a high-impact alternative that won’t require giving up draft capital–as a free agent he would only require a paycheck, likely on a one-year deal. Wednesday, he confirmed his return for 2025 after speculating retirement at the age of 33.

While Mack’s sacks dropped to six in 2024, he put up a career-best 17 the year before. Despite his deflated numbers, he maintained an elite 90.4 PFF grade last season. PFF.com ranks him as the 5th best free agent overall and first at edge rusher. 

Unfortunately for the Packers, the Detroit Lions may beat them to him. More so than Green Bay, the Lions are desperate for edge rusher depth. After losing Aidan Hutchinson in Week 6 last year, they traded for Browns defensive end Za’Darius Smith but no one even sniffed Hutchison’s 7.5 sacks compiled through five games. Smith finished second on the team with four.

Green Bay has other options if Mack goes to Detroit, so losing out isn’t the end of the world. On the other hand, having to fend him off in two games against the Lions next season isn’t exactly desirable.

With the Green Bay Packers or Elsewhere, Bank on a Charvarius Ward Bounceback

Bluntly put, Ward was not good last season. His 58.2 PFF grade in 2024 was a surprise to say the least. 

Interested teams should remember, though, that Ward endured agony off the field with the passing of his 1-year-old daughter. San Francisco honored his grieving process and he missed several games mid-season. The season before, he registered a pass coverage PFF grade of 86.3 and snared a career-high five interceptions. 

For the Packers, Ward would replace Alexander as an excellent counterpart to Keisean Nixon, who specializes in the pass rush (92.7 PFF) but is lacking in coverage (60.7). 

If they want him, though, they’ll have to outbid the Minnesota Vikings, Ward’s most likely destination according to Sportsnaut. Packers fans may think they have it bad, but Minnesota has been absolutely gutted by free agent departures. They have lost their top four cornerbacks alone.

While they could try to resign some of them, Byron Murphy (6 INTS in 2024) will likely require a large contract and 34-year-old Stephon Gilmore simply didn’t work out in his single season as a Viking. After a down year, Ward may be available for a discount, bringing veteran stability and a strong track record to a team that should take what they can get. 

Green Bay may have bigger plans, but signing a DJ Reed (6th per PFF.com free agent rankings) or Jevon Holland (3rd) is bound to cost more. The same goes for a Crosby or Garrett trade. As it is, Mack is the best available pass rusher and may be more expensive than the Packers would like. When free agency kicks off in March, they will have to act fast before top-ranked talent gets snapped up by the competition.