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The Packers Sign Veteran DT Javon Hargave

Originally posted on PackersTalk.com | By Jack Kurz | Last updated Mar 12, 2026 3:04 PM ET

The Packers signed free agent DT Jason Hargrave to a two-year deal for $23 million dollars. Hargrave spent last season in Minnesota. He was officially released Wednesday afternoon. Within a few hours of his release, Hargrave agreed to trade in his purple and yellow and for green and yellow. Hargrave will address the concerns up front and help fill the Colby Wooden hole who was officially traded to the Colts on Wednesday as well.

Javon Hargrave reunites with Jonathan Gannon in Green Bay. Gannon and Hargrave were together in Philadelphia. Gannon was the Eagles Defensive Coordinator at the time. In two seasons with Gannon, Hargrave registered 18.5 sacks, 104 tackles, and 129 pressures. This should be a refreshing deal for Hargrave who expressed his frustration with his role under Brian Flores in Minnesota this past season.

Javon Hargrave recently turned 33 years old. This is an out of the ordinary signing for the Packers. Normally, Gutekunst prefers to sign players who are seeking their second NFL contract and tend to be 25/26 years old. However, Ted Thompson signed Julius Peppers at the age of 34 in 2014. Peppers quickly became a locker room favorite and team leader. In three seasons in Green Bay, Peppers totaled 25 sacks so hopefully Hargrave can have a similar impact.

Javon Hargrave’s Impact with the Packers

Javon Hargrave will serve as more of an interior pass rusher than a run stuffer. Hargrave will be a nice addition next to Devonte Wyatt. A four man front of Parsons, Wyatt, Hargrave, and Van Ness has the potential to be a dangerous pass rushing threat. PFF has Hargrave graded as their 35th best DT out of 134 in 2025. He registered 31 pressures which ranked 34th out of the 134 DTs. All in all, these are not bad numbers for a defensive tackle in the Brian Flores scheme. Flores tends to send pressure with other players while his tackles tend to fill space.

Since Aaron Rodgers left, the Packers have been the youngest team in the NFL. With the Hargrave signing and the trade of LB Zaire Franklin, the Packers have added two experienced players to their defense. The Packers will be Hargrave’s fifth NFL team. Hargrave has played in two Super Bowls as well. Although he is not a Super Bowl champion, adding a veteran player who has been there and knows what a Super Bowl caliber team looks like, is a nice move for the Packers.

The initial free agency wave is starting to die down but it is expected that the Packers will continue to find ways to bolster their roster. Green Bay is rumored to be exploring a few trade options. With the first NFL game roughly 6 months away, Gutekunst and co have time to continue to build the Packers roster.

This article first appeared on PackersTalk.com and was syndicated with permission.

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