The craziest free agent day in Green Bay Packers history occurred on March 12, 2019.
In only two hours that day, Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst signed four free agents: outside linebackers Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith, safety Adrian Amos, and offensive lineman Billy Turner.
From 2019 to 2021, all four played significant roles in Green Bay’s Super Bowl run.
Monday wasn’t nearly as wacky as that day in 2019, but it got close.
The Packers spent big money on safety Xavier McKinney and running back Josh Jacobs. Green Bay also lost four foundational pieces of its roster, as left tackle David Bakhtiati and running back Aaron Jones were released, while guard Jon Runyan (New York Giants) and safety Darnell Savage (Jacksonville) signed elsewhere. Jones later signed with — surprise, surprise — Minnesota.
That foursome spent a combined 29 seasons with the Packers and were key cogs in countless victories.
The craziness hasn’t stopped, either, as Green Bay has since resigned return ace/nickel corner Keisean Nixon, tight end Tyler Davis and cornerback Corey Ballentine, while linebacker De’Vondre Campbell was waived and safety Jonathan Owens signed with Chicago.
Here’s the good, bad and ugly from one of the zaniest starts to free agency in franchise history.
So the Packers began what will be an overhaul of the position by signing former New York Giants standout Xavier McKinney to a reported four-year, $67 million deal. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has stressed a need for a playmaking safety in his 4-3 scheme, and the Packers clearly believe the 24-year old McKinney will be that player.
