Free agency is a tough place to handle. Sometimes you can get difference-makers, but the more you try, the bigger the risk of making huge mistakes. Last year, for example, the Green Bay Packers had bad results with Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs after enjoying several positive signings throughout Brian Gutekunst’s tenure as a general manager.

We’ve already hit the free agents who would be perfect for Green Bay. So, let’s talk about players the Packers should avoid because, for one reason or another, they are too risky.

G Alijah Vera-Tucker

In theory, AVT would be a great free agency profile. He’s young, it’s hard to find talented offensive linemen on the market, and he’s a track record of versatility and high-level production. But his injury history is just too significant. He missed 41 of 68 possible games for the New York Jets since 2022 with toe, ankle, and triceps issues — including missing the entirety of last season. If the Packers can sign him for something close to the minimum, sure, but any real investment over this type of player is a recipe for disappointment.

DT Andrew Billings

The Packers will naturally avoid Billings anyway, because he’s 31 and the Packers don’t like older free agents. But in a weak class for defensive tackles, he could serve as a short-term option. However, his run game is such a big issue that it doesn’t make sense for the Packers to add him — it’s just better to invest in the development of young players they already have.

LB Devin Lloyd

Lloyd is unquestionably a good player, but off-ball linebacker is a low-value position. Even if he plays relatively well in Green Bay, the overall impact for the defense wouldn’t be that significant. And the Packers don’t have the cap flexibility to pay something around $20 million a year for a player with that profile. It’s reasonable for the team to look for LB options to replace Quay Walker, but they have to bet on more cost-effective alternatives.

CB Nahshon Wright

The Chicago Bears’ defense was the perfect example of unsustainable volatility due to turnovers, and Wright is the poster child for how it all went down. He had a total of one interception in three seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, was traded by Dallas and cut by the Minnesota Vikings, then had a career year with five interceptions for the Bears. But he did allow 63.9% of the passes thrown his way to be completed, including seven touchdowns. It’s nearly impossible for him to replicate that interception number, and the signing team will see the downside of his play for a big cost.

EDGE Odafe Oweh

The Packers seem willing to move on from Rashan Gary and should be tired of projects. Oweh is a physical and athletic player, but his production is limited. He’s a fine edge rusher and could be a solid number 2, but he’s probably worse than Gary and will cost a lot of money because that’s how premium positions in free agency work —  see Dayo Odeyingbo last year.

Green Bay Packers News

Packers must take different approach at key position group to unlock better offensive results in 2026

Offensive line had serious issues last year.

Wendell Ferreira