The Green Bay Packers Free Agent Class of 2025 Struggling So Far This Season

The Green Bay Packers signed two major free agents over the last offseason. Cornerback Nate Hobbs and guard Aaron Banks were the big-ticket additions with the team shelling out a lot of money for these two players. But through the first four games of the 2025 NFL season, the Packers free agent class is struggling and not living up to expectations.

Packers Free Agent Class Struggling So Far: The Offseason Additions

Prior to the 2024 season, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst also signed two highly priced free agents, and he hit home runs on both of them. Gute added safety Xavier McKinney and running back Josh Jacobs.

McKinney had eight interceptions including one in each of his first five games with the team. The Packers saw opponents stop throwing deep over the middle because of the respect they had for McKinney. He earned All Pro honors for his outstanding season and also gave the Packers leadership in the locker room.

Jacobs ran for 1,329 yards and scored 15 rushing touchdowns for the Packers. He earned Pro Bowl honors and became the focal point of the Green Bay offense when quarterback Jordan Love suffered an injury in Week 1 against the Eagles.

This offseason, the additions of Hobbs and Banks made sense for specific reasons. Hobbs was brought in in part because the team knew they were unlikely to retain cornerback Jaire Alexander. Banks joined the team to replace Elgton Jenkins who was shifting from left guard to center to replace the departed Josh Myers.

Nate Hobbs Early Struggles

Unfortunately, injuries have hampered Hobbs so far this season. The former Illinois star suffered a knee injury in training camp that required surgery. He missed much of training camp and the preseason. He also was not healthy enough to play in Week 1 against the Lions.

In the three games he has played, Hobbs has gradually been on the field more frequently. He was on the field for a total of 62 percent of the Packers defensive snaps despite performing under a play count in his first game back.

Unfortunately, Hobbs struggled in the Packers tie with the Cowboys in Week 4. He was the primary player in coverage on two Dallas touchdowns. Dak Prescott completed 5-of-6 passes when throwing to receivers covered by Hobbs for 57 yards. He had a quarterback rating of 145.8.

The strongest part of Hobbs’ game thus far has been playing the run, according to Pro Football Focus. His pass coverage has not been as good.

The hope remains that Hobbs’ play will improve as he gets healthier and gets more reps in the Green Bay defense. The missed time in training camp certainly didn’t help a player joining a new team.

Packers Free Agent Class Struggling So Far: Banks Can’t Get Started

The Packers signed Banks because they were looking to add a strong, physical run blocker. He was designated the starting left guard from day one, but like Hobbs, injuries have slowed his progress with the Packers.

Banks appeared in just two of the team’s first four contests and was on the field for just 65 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in those games.

Unfortunately, when he has been on the field, the results have not been great for Banks. Pro Football Focus has him ranked very close to the bottom of their qualified guards. His pass blocking has been graded as poor, and his run blocking has been worse.

As a result of the injuries to Banks and right tackle Zach Tom, the Packers offensive line has struggled to block for the run. Jacobs has been hit behind the line of scrimmage on far too many plays. His productivity slumped in the first four games of this year.

Again, it is far too early to judge the performances of both Hobbs and Banks based on the first four games of this season. Both players have missed time due to injury, and both have not lived up to expectations thus far. Many experts feel Gutekunst overpaid for both of these players. It will be up to both of them to prove the skeptics wrong over the course of this season and beyond. Right now, however, nobody can say that the Packers free agent class of 2025 has gotten off to a good start.