Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary (52) celebrates after a sack against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Packers’ offseason panned by longtime NFL writer ‘unmitigated disaster’

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Mar 23, 2026 2:16 PM ET

The Packers‘ free agency moves have left a lot to be desired.

For a team that is suddenly looking up at the Chicago Bears in the NFC North, general manager Brian Gutekunst and Green Bay have allowed a ton of veteran talent to walk out of the building through the first three weeks of free agency.

Given the uncertain timetables for Micah Parsons and Tucker Kraft to return to action, combined with first-round wide receiver Matthew Golden’s inconcistent rookie season, it’s fair to question whether the Packers did enough to stabilize or upgrade at edge rusher, wide receiver, and several other positions across the roster.

Packers’ offseason draws major criticism

In addition to the underwhelming moves the Packers have made, this offseason has been marred more by the departures than the additions, according to veteran NFL reporter Mike Tanier.

“Free agency was an unmitigated disaster for the Packers,” Tanier writes for the Too Deep Zone. “Anyone claiming otherwise is freebasing black-tar cheddar-flavored copium.

“I’ve seen Packers fans/media frame the Rashan Gary/Elgton Jenkins/Nate Hobbs dismissals as “addition by subtraction.” Fine. There was also some subtraction by subtraction of young core players (Quay Walker, Romeo Doubs, Rasheed Walker). The Packers have quasi-replacements for some of these players, though they let some bench players walk too, so maybe that’s addition by long division? And they added some guys, like a defensive lineman who was too injury-prone for the 49ers (Javon Hargrave) and a special teams disaster waiting to happen (Skyy Moore). I won’t mention losing the backup quarterback that they needed to get through the last two seasons, lest I prompt much performative huffing and puffing. (No, the Packers couldn’t keep Malik Willis, but they still must spend resources to replace him.) Oh, and the only defensive coordinator Packers fans ever liked is gone.”

With the NFL Draft now less than a month away, the burden of proof has shifted entirely to the war room in Green Bay.

If Gutekunst can’t use his remaining draft capital to replace the veteran production he’s allowed to walk out the door, the 2026 season risks being remembered as the year the Packers’ “win-now” window was slammed shut by their own hand.

Green Bay Packers fans react to major Brian Gutekunst, Matt LaFleur news after weeks in limbo 2 Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur and General Manager Brian Gutekunst talk on the field during Green Bay Packers Family Night on Aug. 2, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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