Tag: NFL free agency

  • Green Bay Packers Sign Former Miami WR Sam Brown Jr.

    Green Bay Packers Sign Former Miami WR Sam Brown Jr.

    The Green Bay Packers have signed wide receiver Sam Brown Jr. to add depth and experience to the receiving corps. Brown, an undrafted rookie free agent, has experience from West Virginia University, the University of Houston and the University of Miami.

    With a 6-2, 200 frame Brown can make an impact at the next level. He recently attended the Miami Dolphins’ rookie camp to showcase his skills and keep his NFL career alive.

    A Collegiate Journey of Growth

    Brown started his college career at West Virginia, where he became a reliable target. He then transferred to Houston and became a key part of the Cougars’ passing attack. In his first season with the Cougars, he had 41 receptions for 471 yards and 4 touchdowns.

    His best year was 2023 when he earned All-Big 12 honorable mention after having 62 receptions for 815 yards. He played with Packers’ first round pick Matthew Golden, so he may adjust quickly to life in Green Bay.

    After the 2023 season, Brown moved to Miami, where he continued to show his skills. In 2024, he played in 12 games, started 9 and had 36 receptions for 509 yards and 2 touchdowns. His best game was against Louisville, where he had 3 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown and was named ACC Receiver of the Week.

    Physical Projections and Potential

    Brown’s athleticism is impressive with a 40 time of 4.44 and a vertical jump of 41.5 which puts him among the top at his position. He has the speed and explosiveness to be successful in the NFL.

    He will wear No. 17 for the Packers, which was previously worn by Davante Adams, one of the best receivers in the league. He’s going to have to carve out his own identity in Green Bay.

    What This Means for the Packers

    With the Packers needing depth at wide receiver Brown’s signing makes sense. His versatility, size and experience can play right away if injuries or underperformance hits the current roster.

    He’s not a household name yet but his college production and physicals make him a guy to watch. If he keeps developing he’ll be a big piece of the Giants’ offense .

  • Jadeveon Clowney Fires Back at Packers in the Loudest Way Possible

    Jadeveon Clowney Fires Back at Packers in the Loudest Way Possible

    When Jadeveon Clowney speaks, people listen—and his recent comments after being released by the Carolina Panthers have sent shockwaves through the NFL. The Green Bay Packers, in particular, should be paying close attention. Clowney didn’t mince words when addressing his future, and his message was loud and clear: he’s ready to prove himself again, and the Packers could be the perfect team to give him that chance.

    Clowney’s Bold Statement to the NFL

    After being released by the Panthers, Clowney told The Athletic he’s not done dominating on the field. He said:

    “I’m definitely gonna play well. You can mark my word on that,” Clowney said. “I played with a bunch of guys that was hurt this past year. And I ended up playing extremely well for them. So it is what it is. I can play the game. I can play football. There are 31 other teams. I just hope another team gives me that opportunity so I can prove myself again. I feel like I can do that.”

    Clowney wasn’t kidding. Despite the circumstances around him in Carolina, he had a great season. According to Pro Football Focus, his 44 pressures was second only to one Packers pass-rusher (Rashan Gary, 47)—and he did it in three fewer games. His 5.5 sacks would’ve been second on the Packers’ roster, as would his 11 quarterback hits.

    In 2023 alone, Clowney had 9.5 sacks—more than any Packers defender last season. He’s proven himself, and he’s determined to prove doubters wrong.

    Why the Packers Need Clowney

    The Packers’ pass rush has been a mess, and Clowney could be the solution. They added Barryn Sorrell in the fourth round of the draft, but relying solely on new defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington to fix things is a risk. Lukas Van Ness, their first-round pick from 2023, hasn’t lived up to expectations yet, and the pressure is mounting to fix this problem.

    Clowney isn’t just another veteran—he’s a proven Pro Bowl pass-rusher who can lift the whole defense. Pairing him with Rashan Gary would be a nightmare for opposing offenses. Clowney’s experience and leadership would take some of the pressure off Van Ness to develop without having to carry the weight of high expectations.

    A Strategic Move Against Division Rivals

    Signing Clowney wouldn’t just add to the roster—it would keep him away from division rivals like the Detroit Lions who are reportedly one of the top contenders for his services. Imagine Clowney lining up against Green Bay twice a year instead of the other way around. That’s a scenario the Packers must avoid at all costs.

    With a rotation of Gary, Clowney, Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare and Sorrell the Packers front seven would be a much deeper and more versatile unit. That’s what could make or break their championship hopes next year.

    What’s Next for Clowney and the Packers?

    Clowney has thrown down the gauntlet and now it’s up to the Packers to respond. Signing him wouldn’t just fill an immediate need—it would send a message to the rest of the league that Green Bay means business in 2024.

    “He sent a message and the Packers better listen” one insider said.

    If the Packers want to avoid last year’s struggles they need to sign Clowney.

  • Packers Highly Unusual NFL Free Agency Continues

    Packers Highly Unusual NFL Free Agency Continues

    The Green Bay Packers have always been about drafting, developing, and retaining talent. But this offseason has been anything but normal. With 11 unrestricted free agents hitting the market, the Packers only retained two. As the organized team activities (OTAs) approach, the Packers are in the midst of one of the most unusual free agency periods in franchise history. Let’s break down who stayed, who left, and what it means for the future.

    Who Was Re-Signed?

    Despite the talent drain, the Packers made sure to sign a couple of key guys before free agency even started.

    K Brandon McManus

    After a carousel of kickers failed to provide stability in 2023, McManus was the answer. The veteran kicker went 20-of-21 on field goals during the regular season, second in the NFL with 95.2% accuracy. He was a godsend. You don’t realize how much a reliable kicker can calm a team down until you’ve gone through the chaos we went through earlier in the season.

    “He was a godsend for us,” one team insider said. “You don’t realize how much a dependable kicker can stabilize a team until you’ve been through the chaos we faced earlier in the season.”

    LB Isaiah McDuffie

    McDuffie, a 6th round pick in 2021, proved himself last season by starting all 17 games and recording 97 tackles. Although he allowed 5 TD passes (tied for most on the team), his versatility and experience got him a 2 year, $8M deal.

    TE John FitzPatrick

    FitzPatrick wasn’t tendered as an RFA but was brought back on a 1 year, $1.5M deal. He had 1 catch for 2 yards but his presence on offense and special teams makes him a depth piece.

    Who Signed With Another Team?

    The Packers lost several familiar faces, and there are some big holes on the roster.

    C Josh Myers

    Myers, a 2nd round pick, started 16 games and played over 1,000 snaps for the 3rd straight season. He settled for a 1 year, $2M deal with the Jets, which was surprising given his consistent play.

    DT TJ Slaton

    Slaton, a 5th round pick in 2021, started all 17 games last season but didn’t do much beyond basic run stopping. He got a 2 year, $14.1M deal from the Bengals, and the Packers’ defensive line is thinner than ever.

    LB Eric Wilson

    Wilson returned to Minnesota after 72 tackles, 2 sacks, and 7 tackles for loss in 2024. He leaves another hole in the Packers’ linebacking corps.

    CB Eric Stokes

    Stokes, the 1st round pick in 2021, finally stayed healthy in 2024 but didn’t live up to expectations. With 0 passes defended in 7 starts, he signed a 1 year, $3.5M deal with the Raiders.

    Other departures include CB Corey Ballentine (Colts), RB AJ Dillon (Eagles) and OT Andre Dillard (49ers). Each player left for fresh opportunities and the Packers roster is thinner.

    Who Did the Packers Sign?

    The Packers brought in some interesting names, but not without controversy.

    G Aaron Banks

    Banks, a 2nd round pick by the 49ers, got a 4 year, $77M deal despite mediocre pass blocking metrics. He’s a big investment in protecting Jordan Love.> “Big risk, no doubt,” said one analyst. “But if he pays off, it’ll solidify the interior of the OL for years.”

    CB Nate Hobbs

    Hobbs signs with the Packers on a 4 year, $48M deal after 3 seasons with the Raiders. He played 11 games last season due to injury, but his upside as a slot corner is huge.

    WR Mecole Hardman

    Fills two needs: speed at receiver and dynamic returner. His production dipped with the Chiefs last season, but his career return numbers (9.2 yards per punt, 23.8 yards per kickoff) are valuable.

    LB Isaiah Simmons

    Simmons, the 8th overall pick in 2020, is on a 1 year, $1.34 million prove it deal. He has experience at linebacker and in the slot, if he can stay healthy.

    Who Remains Unsigned?

    One name stands out who is still unsigned: TE Tyler Davis. After missing the last 2 seasons with injuries, Davis won’t be back in Green Bay.

    Instead the Packers will go with Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Ben Sims and FitzPatrick to fill the void.

  • Will the Packers Release Jaire Alexander? NFL Executives Think So

    Will the Packers Release Jaire Alexander? NFL Executives Think So

    The Green Bay Packers and cornerback Jaire Alexander are heading toward a split, but the method of their separation remains uncertain. According to post-NFL Scouting Combine reporting from Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, most league executives expect the Packers to ultimately release Alexander rather than trade him.

    “Meanwhile, two-time All-Pro Jaire Alexander is available via trade, although most executives believe the Packers will ultimately release him,” Schultz wrote after spending last week in Indianapolis.

    While both sides have agreed to part ways, the question now is whether it happens through a trade or a straight release. Here’s what we know about the situation.

    Why the Packers Might Release Alexander?

    Alexander is one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL when healthy but has missed time in three of the last four seasons. With his big contract (over $35 million in base salary the next two years) teams may not want to trade for him.

    The Packers are in great shape financially but releasing Alexander would free up $7 million in cap space for 2025 if done before June 1st. Or they could designate him as a post-June 1st cut and spread the dead money into 2026 and have even more cap room.

    Why a Trade Won’t Happen?

    The Packers want to trade Alexander and get something in return but it may be tough to find a trade partner. Teams won’t take on his contract without guarantees and with his injury history. And with zero dollars guaranteed left on his deal teams can just wait and see if he gets released.

    The Case for Releasing Alexander

    Release before June 1st and clear $7 million off the 2025 cap. Designate as post June 1st and some of the dead money goes to 2026 and more cap room this year.

    If no trade market develops, release and let him go find his next team and sign a new deal. Delaying the inevitable hurts both parties.