The Green Bay Packers re-signed a four-year deal with Aaron Jones on the Sunday before the start of the legal sabotage period. In the week since, the team has done little beyond tendering for exclusive rights and limited free agents, simple procedural decisions that all teams make around the start of the new competition year.
The Packers have not re-signed an unlimited free agent or signed an external free agent. In fact, no team in the NFL has been quieter in terms of player retention or acquisition during Free Agency’s first week.
The Packers brought Jones back and kept petting, with a tight salary cap limiting activity and forcing general manager Brian Gutekunst to remain patient during the first wave. The team had to go through several contract restructuring last Wednesday to come under the cap.
It’s certainly possible that the Packers won’t make a move until prices really start to drop and cheap, one-year deals are possible for a large number of capable veteran players.
The team also has to make decisions about some internal free agents. Chances are a few players will have near minimal deals again.
Starting Monday morning, the following players will remain free agents for the Packers:
CB Kevin King
G Lane Taylor
TE Marcedes Lewis
DL Damon Harrison
DB Will Redmond
RB Tyler Ervin
WR Tavon Austin
DL Billy Winn
T Jared Veldheer
LB James Burgess
DL Tyler Lancaster
S Raven Greene
CB Parry Nickerson
The Packers took the first week off from free agency, but the second week could start offering the bargains Green Bay is looking for in the open market.
Of course, the salary ceiling remains a limitation. Will the team restructure Aaron Rodgers’ deal or complete an extension for Davante Adams? Both moves can open up space and provide options for adding veterans. If neither contract is touched, the Packers will likely remain silent and do little in terms of adding players.