Packers finally find a way to create real competition at a key position that’s loudly become their biggest challenge
Carrington Valentine had a positive game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and now there’s a real competition after early struggles from Nate Hobbs.
When a player signs a big deal in free agency, it’s natural that he will have at least the first opportunity to prove himself. But it doesn’t secure everything. Nate Hobbs got a four-year, $48 million contract from the Green Bay Packers in March, so he had the right to the first shot.
However, the advantage is now over. After five games as a starter on the outside, Hobbs had a truly underwhelming game against the Arizona Cardinals. Despite head coach Matt LaFleur and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley defending him last week, the free agent addition was benched against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the alternative was, in fact, much better.
Carrington Valentine proves his value
Against the Steelers, the Packers started former seventh-round pick Carrington Valentine over Hobbs. More than ability, the style of play matters. While Hobbs is mostly a slot corner, Valentine is actually a natural boundary piece.
Valentine ended up playing more snaps (62) than any other corner, even Keisean Nixon (61), while Hobbs was on the field for only four defensive plays.
It wasn’t a perfect game by any means for the third-year player, who allowed three catches and a touchdown in five targets, but also prevented separation at a much better level and showed competitiveness throughout his 44 pass coverage snaps. Ultimately, that’s why he was targeted only five times. He had a big end-zone pass breakup versus DK Metcalf.
Passer rating allowed when targeted among Packers’ cornerbacks in 2025
- Nate Hobbs 127.1
- Carrington Valentine 115.1
- Keisean Nixon 99.6
- Javon Bullard 89.4
“[Valentine] went out there and I thought he played really competitively the entire game,” head coach Matt LaFleur said on Monday. “Even on the touchdown catch, I love how he competed for the football. I thought that was big time. It didn’t go our way at that moment, but I thought, all in all, he showed physicality, and he was challenging guys. There were just no gimmes, and I thought that was big time.”
The Packers probably won’t spend more draft capital on this version of the team, unless a perfect opportunity arises. And without great options outside of an injured Asante Samuel Jr. still available in free agency, the answers will have to come from within.
Maybe Valentine isn’t the perfect option. But early indications show he’s an improvement over what Hobbs had shown, and that’s just what the defense needs at this point with so much success upfront.
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