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ESPN analyst drops the hammer on Packers' free agent decision, and the harsh take might end up being completely right

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Wendell Ferreira | Last updated Jul 10, 2025 12:06 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers' style in free agency is basically all or nothing. Since Brian Gutekunst took over as a general manager back in 2018, the Packers don't like to make external additions in volume, but they make big bets trying to add talent. This year's cycle wasn't different. The Packers went on the first day of free agency and agreed to give left guard Aaron Banks a four-year, $77 million contract—a high price for a player who's never been close to elite.

That decision led to a C+ grade from ESPN analyst Seth Walder, who evaluated every team's offseason.

"Banks, a former 49ers guard, signed a four-year deal that averages $19.25 million per year with $27 million fully guaranteed. The issue I have is that we don't have evidence that Banks is anywhere near that caliber of player. Banks is coming off his best season according to win rates, but he ranked only 38th out of 64 guards in pass block win rate (92%) and 46th in run block win rate (69%).

The top of the guard market was frothy, but the Packers paid for not having patience, as Mekhi Becton, Kevin Zeitler and James Daniels all signed for $10 million or less. I would much rather have those players at their price than Banks at his." — Seth Walder.

That's a fair criticism. Aaron Banks ended up being the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in free agency in yearly average, ahead of players like Will Fries ($17.554 million), Patrick Mekari ($12.5 million), Mekhi Becton ($10 million), Kevin Zeitler ($9 million), James Daniels ($8 million), and much more expensive than a player like Teven Jenkins ($3.05 million).

The Packers' process was an attempt to extract more out of Banks than the 49ers did throughout his rookie contract. He is a physical player and a solid starter. Additionally, his signing allows the Packers to move Elgton Jenkins from left guard to center, and the expectation is that the offensive line as a whole will improve—especially in run-blocking. The problem, as Walder mentioned, is how much the Packers paid to make this plan a reality—and how less other options with similar production earned.

Walder also slightly criticized the price the Packers paid to cornerback Nate Hobbs. Even though the analyst admitted that adding a cornerback was a huge need, the four-year, $48 million contract "felt a bit rich" based on his production for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Not everything is bad

Meanwhile, Walder praised the top of the Packers' draft class, calling the decision to select Matthew Golden the best offseason move for Green Bay. The analyst mentioned that Golden offers the Packers "No. 1 WR upside," something particularly important while Christian Watson recovers from an ACL injury.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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