The Packers have been quiet in free agency this offseason and are focusing on the draft and developing their current roster. One of the departures is cornerback Eric Stokes who signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. For us, his departure won’t leave a big hole—his four years in Green Bay were marked by inconsistency, injuries and unmet expectations.
A Promising Start That Never Materialized
When the Packers took Eric Stokes in the 1st round of the 2021 NFL Draft, they thought they were getting a cornerstone of their secondary. And for a minute, it looked like they did. As a rookie, Stokes was a stud, with 55 total tackles, 14 pass deflections, 1 INT. He was fast, athletic and exciting and fans were high on him.
But that promising start didn’t last. In 2022, he suffered a Lisfranc fracture and missed 8 games. 2023 was even worse, he only played 6 games due to hamstring issues. By 2024, he managed to play 17 games but didn’t do much of anything. He started 7 games and had 41 total tackles and 0 pass deflections or INTs.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Stokes had a 61.3 overall grade (112th among 222 cornerbacks) and a 62.4 coverage grade (94th among 222 cornerbacks). Opposing QBs ate him up, with a 96.7 passer rating against him and 9.9 yards per reception.
Injuries and Inconsistency Defined His Tenure
One of the most important jobs a player can do is just be available. Unfortunately, Stokes was not available for most of his Packers career. Between the Lisfranc injury, hamstring issues, and other ailments, he missed a lot of time. When he did play he wasn’t very good.
For a team that relies on its defense, having a cornerback who can’t contribute is a liability. Stokes’ inability to build on his rookie year turned what could have been a long term asset into a frustrating gamble that didn’t pay off.
Packers Shift Focus to the Future
Now that Stokes is out of the picture, the Packers are looking to rebuild their secondary. They have a big decision to make on Jaire Alexander, their star corner, whose contract is up in the air. If he stays, he’ll be the anchor of the unit, but if he leaves, they’ll need to find new answers in the defensive backfield.
Stokes’ departure also highlights the importance of drafting and developing talent. While his rookie season showed flashes of promise, his lack of growth made his time here feel like a wasted opportunity. The Packers hope not to make the same mistake again as they rebuild and try to compete in the tough NFC North.
Why Fans Won’t Miss No. 21?
For Packers fans, Eric Stokes’ departure is the end of a chapter that never really lived up to the hype. Beyond his injuries, he was just not productive when healthy. His final season in Green Bay—a year with zero interceptions or pass breakups—was like his entire tenure.
Stokes had some bright spots, especially as a rookie, but inconsistency and not being on the field won’t be missed. With younger players waiting in the wings and the Packers in rebuild mode, fans won’t be crying over No. 21 leaving town.
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