Packers News, Transactions - 2025 off-season - McManus Signed - 3 Years/$15 million

[Profound23]

They need a pass rusher before anything else. Add Crosby to this D and it's a top 2 unit.

WR may need to be a focus with Watsons injury and Doubs now being a gigantic question mark from the concussions

CB I know people won't want to hear it fall way back of those two spots and just gotta hope and pray Jaire can stay healthy

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This is my thinking. Call Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Vegas...see which one is willing to trade their pass rushers and get one of them.

[FAH1223]

They need a pass rusher before anything else. Add Crosby to this D and it's a top 2 unit.

WR may need to be a focus with Watsons injury and Doubs now being a gigantic question mark from the concussions

CB I know people won't want to hear it fall way back of those two spots and just gotta hope and pray Jaire can stay healthy

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I'm keeping Jaire. Makes more sense to figure out how to keep him healthy. He's still excellent and he isn't even old. Plus we have $60M in cap room even with his current number.

But we definitely need to draft a CB or two. I am tired of seeing Nixon play defense.

I like Valentine.

[MickeyDavis]

Cutting or trading Jaire doesn't work financially. He's about $23 million on the cap if we keep him, $35 million if we cut or trade him. Not happening. Waiting a year the numbers are much better.

I just don't want Gute extending him to get next years number down. He's only 27 but I don't want to be paying him in his 30's.

[humanrefutation]

My first blush, general verdict on the 2025 season:

B- for Offense

The biggest plus on offense was our punishing running game, which I credit to Jacobs primarily - though Wilson and Brooks were solid, too. Would have liked to see some Lloyd as well - hopefully he's back healthy in September. Kraft took another step as an offensive weapon. The O-line was solid.

The passing game took a meaningful step back, which is disheartening considering the promise it showed last season. Love gets a lot of flack, but he battled injury all year, didn't get a lot of help from his receivers, and he dealt with some of those sophomore slumps that second year starters can deal with. Despite the optimism about our receiving corp, they were all worse this year than they were last year.

With how good our rushing attack was, that's unacceptable. The balance should have worked to our favor. But it didn't.

B+ for Defense

Pass rush was ass for most of the year. But X made a major difference and Coop was a revelation. And despite the issues at corner, we survived. For the first time in years, I can say that the defense wasn't the biggest problem. They kept us in games. That's enough for a good grade for me.

C for ST

Kicking game came into form when we signed McManus. But we lost two games on the back of our kicking game to start the year, so I have to factor that in. Whelan was okay. The return game was non-existant at best, but the coverage was solid. C is probably generous.

B- for LaFleur

Matt LaFleur is a really good coach during the week. His work with Willis was outstanding. His run game design was really good.

But Matt LaFleur is not good at making in-game decisions. His team made too many mistakes and were way too undisciplined. And until he stops coaching like a coward, we won't win a thing.

Overall? B-

We were a paper tiger. We went 1-5 against the division (could have easily been 0-6). We didn't progress offensively like we anticipated. Defense was a big improvement, but still has deficits (especially in the pass rush). Too many undisciplined, stupid mistakes.

But I don't think they're far away from taking the next step. Progress isn't linear. Love needs to bounce back next season with smarter reads. We need to add a quality pass rusher and a quality corner. And it would be nice to add another receiving weapon.

[Dennis Reynolds]

You guys are talking about WRs, CBs and pass rushers when we have a washed up Carson Wentz parading as our franchise QB. Throwing 3 should be picks a game catches up to you at some point, maybe someone should tell Love.

[Dennis Reynolds]

I mean, just look at the last 2 seasons - in 2023 we beat Rams without Stafford, were down 17-0 to the Saints until Carr got injured and needed Cousins to tear his achilles while walking just to barely sneak in the playoffs. Still ended up pissing down our legs against the Niners with them having one of their worst games of the season.

This season we beat practice squad Rams, 49ers and even Saints, got bailed out against the Bears due to a blocked FG and lucked out when the Texans dropped what should have been a game losing pick. Again lucked out by playing Eagles on an off day an still got blown out.

The last 2 seasons we've been a fringe playoff team at best that got in by catching every lucky break. At some point your luck evens out which actually might need to happen cause it's the only way some serious changes will be made.

[MickeyDavis]

First time in history the youngest team made the playoffs was the Packers last year. Second time in history the youngest team made the playoffs was the Packers this year. We can talk about "breaks" the team got but that happens to every team every year.

Serious changes/upgrades do not need to be made but some do obviously. Now is the time to cut bait on the youngsters that haven't worked out such as LVN and sprinkle in some more good vets. We did that this year with X and Jacobs, 2 outstanding signings. Now sign a couple of more. The youngsters that do have talent (such as Cooper) should keep getting better.

Certainly there is a lot of room for improvement. 31 teams won't win the championship this year. But it's hardly a dumpster fire.

[dbrodz7]

I mean, just look at the last 2 seasons - in 2023 we beat Rams without Stafford, were down 17-0 to the Saints until Carr got injured and needed Cousins to tear his achilles while walking just to barely sneak in the playoffs. Still ended up pissing down our legs against the Niners with them having one of their worst games of the season.

This season we beat practice squad Rams, 49ers and even Saints, got bailed out against the Bears due to a blocked FG and lucked out when the Texans dropped what should have been a game losing pick. Again lucked out by playing Eagles on an off day an still got blown out.

The last 2 seasons we've been a fringe playoff team at best that got in by catching every lucky break. At some point your luck evens out which actually might need to happen cause it's the only way some serious changes will be made.

Has anyone reminded any of you that the last two seasons were supposed to be rebuilding years after going all in for Rodgers while kicking the can down the road with the salary cap? Well they made the playoffs both seasons. When we traded Rodgers nobody would’ve been surprised if we won 4-7 games in 2023 and 2024. Some Packers fans are just insufferably spoiled. Is it disappointing absolutely, but sometimes we need to take a step back and look at a 30,000 foot view.

[raysbookclub]

Key positions that need attention:

WR. Watson may not play at all next season, and even if he is able to play, he won't have his speed back. Doubs might retire, who knows. Gotta draft one and sign a free agent. Have Wicks, Reed, and the FA as your top 3. Melton, Heath, and the rookie round out the rostered group.

OL. I doubt they're able to keep Myers, so one of their Gs moves to C. Morgan slides in as a starter at that G spot. Today showed that we don't have anyone after those guys who can play, so we need at least two draft picks there.

CB. Keep Jaire, but you can't expect him to play more than 2/3 of the games but trust that he'll be there for the playoffs. Draft a CB.

Edge. Gotta expect Van Ness and Cox to keep improving. Enegbare is fine, Gary is very good though he's not a star. I would be really excited by a trade to get Crosby, but the team has too many needs to sacrifice multiple picks.

DT. Hope that Kenny Clark had an injury or something going on that no one outside the locker room knows about. Cuz if his body has just dramatically and suddenly slowed down, that's a really bad contract you can't get out of for at least another year. Resign Slaton.

QB1. This is in some ways the only one that matter. If Love doesn't get to work and I mean really get to work and get his rhythm back to where he was trending at the end of last year, then all our other moves aren't going to mean that much. He had an atrocious game today. If he had had this game last year vs Dallas, no way he gets a big contract. Right now, no good team is scared of him and his back foot throws. Eagles running on 3rd and 10+ to set up punts today showed that.

[MVP2110]

I don't think the Packers have any massive gaping needs heading into the offseason.

Top priorities
-A deep threat WR to replace Watson
-A starting quality ILB to put next to Cooper
-An Edge rusher
-A boundary CB

Secondary priorities
-A vet interior OL either to compete for a starting job or depth
-DL depth
-A 2nd ILB

Extension candidates
-Zach Tom
-Rasheed Walker

I think you ride out Watson, Doubs, Enagbare, & Rhyan

Stokes, Myers, & Slaton are your top free agents, I'm fine with bringing any of them back on a cheap deal but am also fine letting each one walk.

I'd trade Malik Willis if I can get a day 2 pick, otherwise find letting him be the backup again next year before he hits FA

[RiotPunch]

I don't think the Packers have any massive gaping needs heading into the offseason.

Top priorities
-A deep threat WR to replace Watson
-A starting quality ILB to put next to Cooper
-An Edge rusher
-A boundary CB

Secondary priorities
-A vet interior OL either to compete for a starting job or depth
-DL depth
-A 2nd ILB

Extension candidates
-Zach Tom
-Rasheed Walker

I think you ride out Watson, Doubs, Enagbare, & Rhyan

Stokes, Myers, & Slaton are your top free agents, I'm fine with bringing any of them back on a cheap deal but am also fine letting each one walk.

I'd trade Malik Willis if I can get a day 2 pick, otherwise find letting him be the backup again next year before he hits FA

What do you think happens in the Jaire saga?

[ReasonablySober]

As thin as they are at CB I could see them holding onto Jaire and praying, but my guess is they move on in March, take the $19.1 million dead cap hit, and free up $6.7 million in space.

[MVP2110]

I don't think the Packers have any massive gaping needs heading into the offseason.

Top priorities
-A deep threat WR to replace Watson
-A starting quality ILB to put next to Cooper
-An Edge rusher
-A boundary CB

Secondary priorities
-A vet interior OL either to compete for a starting job or depth
-DL depth
-A 2nd ILB

Extension candidates
-Zach Tom
-Rasheed Walker

I think you ride out Watson, Doubs, Enagbare, & Rhyan

Stokes, Myers, & Slaton are your top free agents, I'm fine with bringing any of them back on a cheap deal but am also fine letting each one walk.

I'd trade Malik Willis if I can get a day 2 pick, otherwise find letting him be the backup again next year before he hits FA

What do you think happens in the Jaire saga?

I think you bring him back. Freeing up just under $7 million isn't worth cutting him imo. He was still really good when he was out there so I'd take that risk

*I'd almost assuredly cut him after next season though

[humanrefutation]

We've got something like $65M in cap space this coming offseason.

Lots of receivers will be available. Tee Higgins is the most obvious one, but there's also Godwin, Diggs, Cooper.

There are also some DBs like DJ Reed and Jevon Holland.

Who knows who else gets released, too.

Lots of cap room to make splash adds. But Gute will also have to decide who to extend this offseason. Zach Tom played poorly against Philly but he deserves an extension. Rasheed Walker probably gets a modest deal, too. Doubs/Watson are question marks there.

[ReasonablySober]

This is the year to use day one and two picks to trade for stars on other teams looking to get out and get paid. It's not like you can trust Gute to make a good first round pick anyway.

[Dennis Reynolds]

I mean, just look at the last 2 seasons - in 2023 we beat Rams without Stafford, were down 17-0 to the Saints until Carr got injured and needed Cousins to tear his achilles while walking just to barely sneak in the playoffs. Still ended up pissing down our legs against the Niners with them having one of their worst games of the season.

This season we beat practice squad Rams, 49ers and even Saints, got bailed out against the Bears due to a blocked FG and lucked out when the Texans dropped what should have been a game losing pick. Again lucked out by playing Eagles on an off day an still got blown out.

The last 2 seasons we've been a fringe playoff team at best that got in by catching every lucky break. At some point your luck evens out which actually might need to happen cause it's the only way some serious changes will be made.

Has anyone reminded any of you that the last two seasons were supposed to be rebuilding years after going all in for Rodgers while kicking the can down the road with the salary cap? Well they made the playoffs both seasons. When we traded Rodgers nobody would’ve been surprised if we won 4-7 games in 2023 and 2024. Some Packers fans are just insufferably spoiled. Is it disappointing absolutely, but sometimes we need to take a step back and look at a 30,000 foot view.

This stopped being a rebuild the moment Gute made Love the highest paid QB in the league on the back of a solid 7 game stretch against awful teams. And yes, calling it anymore than solid considering the opponents we played would be a complete lie.

I remember calling Trevor Lawrence garbage on this board when he had a similar stretch in 2022 and couldn't believe my eyes when Gute fell for the exact same thing with Love. Not only that but people kept downplaying everyone around him last season and were basically screaming give him his money this season when he had the nerve to sit out the 1st week of training camp. Not OTAs, I'm talking about a freaking camp and people were making him out to be the victim. Not to mention we already have people in the game thread saying Love was a top 10 QB this season.

Now, it's one thing for a fanbase to be straight up delusional but to have a guy like that running your franchise is a very scary thing.

Read on Twitter

Just checked out his contract as well, if I'm not mistaken cutting him at any point before the 2028 season would mean at least 50mil$ in dead cap.

[Dennis Reynolds]

Also, the reason I mentioned all those lucky breaks we caught is because we aren't "ahead of schedule" because Gute is doing a great job or because MLF is a genius or because Love is some generational QB and everything is gonna be alright. We're here because we caught almost every lucky break. If not for them we'd be right there where you said our expectations were/should have been after trading Rodgers, winning 4-7 games both seasons.

Unfortunately the only thing we got from all that luck is 2 embarrassing playoff losses while incompetent people got job security and a lot of money they didn't deserve.

[MVP2110]

Also, the reason I mentioned all those lucky breaks we caught is because we aren't "ahead of schedule" because Gute is doing a great job or because MLF is a genius or because Love is some generational QB and everything is gonna be all just right. We're here because we caught almost every lucky break. If not for them we'd be right there where you said our expectations were/should have been after trading Rodgers, winning 4-7 games both seasons.

Now the only thing we got from all that luck is 2 embarrassing playoff losses while incompetent people got job security and a lot of money they didn't deserve.

Yea it was lucky breaks that we finished 11-6 against the 4th hardest schedule in the NFL with the NFL"s youngest roster. Love, MLF, Gute all deserve zero credit for that.

[Dennis Reynolds]

Yea it was lucky breaks that we finished 11-6 against the 4th hardest schedule in the NFL with the NFL"s youngest roster. Love, MLF, Gute all deserve zero credit for that.

Yes, all those lucky breaks I just mentioned never happened. I guess playing the Ravens without Lamar and 15 of their starters would be a hard game because the schedule says so, makes perfect sense.

I'm also sure you have some Bukowsky tweets in your pocket to convince everyone Love was actually elite in this game but you'll probably wait until he torches the Giants and Panthers next season to share them with us. Hell, if he torches the 3rd string Lions during that stretch as well I might join you in throwing the Super Bowl parade or at least the official Jordan Love for MVP campaign.

[MVP2110]

Yea it was lucky breaks that we finished 11-6 against the 4th hardest schedule in the NFL with the NFL"s youngest roster. Love, MLF, Gute all deserve zero credit for that.

Yes, all those lucky breaks I just mentioned never happened. I guess playing the Ravens without Lamar and 15 of their starters would be a hard game because the schedule says so, makes perfect sense.

I'm also sure you have some Bukowsky tweets in your pocket to convince everyone Love was actually elite in this game but you'll probably wait until he torches the Giants and Panthers next season to share them with us. Hell, if he torches the 3rd string Lions during that stretch as well I might join you in throwing the Super Bowl parade or at least the official Jordan Love for MVP campaign.

Essentially this season the Packers beat the teams they were supposed to and lost to the teams they were supposed to. The fact that they were "supposed" to win 11 games is a huge testament to Gute, MLF, & Love, etc.

And no, Love wasn't good in this game, I never claimed he was.