The “offseason” is essentially over for the 32 NFL teams. While the Green Bay Packers may still complete a contract extension for tight end Tucker Kraft or defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt before or during training camp, the majority of the team’s work in terms of creating the coaching staff and roster is finished.
What grade should the Packers get for their offseason decisions? ESPN’s Seth Walder set out to grade every team’s offseason, not just based on talent coming and going, but by evaluating the entirety of the offseason based on the quality of the team-building decisions.
Walder gave only three teams got an “A” or an “A-“, including the Miami Dolphins, who began a massive rebuild by reshaping the franchise in the Packers’ image. Jon-Eric Sullivan, Jeff Hafley and Malik Willis will provide the foundation in Miami. And Walder especially liked signing Willis, who is a “risk worth taking” after proving he was ready for a bigger opportunity over two excellent seasons as Jordan Love’s backup.
The Packers, meanwhile, were one of five teams to receive a “B+” grade from Walder. In his analysis of the Packers offseason, Walder lauded the contract extension for Christian Watson, who he thinks has a “great chance to exceed the value of the deal” if he can stay healthy. The move Walder questioned was trading away Dontayvion Wicks, who “might have more production in him” with a bigger opportunity.
Walder rightfully examined the losses of Willis, Romeo Doubs and Quay Walker through the lens of the compensatory pick process and in-house replacements, and he took a curious look at the contract signed by Rasheed Walker, who got a base value of only $4 million on a deal in Carolina despite being labeled as one of the top players in free agency.
Earlier this offseason, Walder pointed to the Packers’ trade of Rashan Gary — netting a fourth-round pick from the Dallas Cowboys — as one of the offseason’s best moves. He didn’t specifically mention the Gary trade in his offseason analysis, but it surely factored into Green Bay’s surprisingly solid grade.
The Chicago Bears also received a “B+” grade for their offseason. Chicago got great value for trading D.J. Moore and did well to reshape the team’s safety position, but Walder questioned not adding at edge rusher.
What grade would you give the Packers for their offseason? Green Bay stuck with coach Matt LaFleur, rebuilt spots on defense with veteran additions and opened the door to bigger opportunities for a few of the team’s recent top picks, including Lukas Van Ness, Jordan Morgan and Matthew Golden. Talent exited, but for logical reasons. The Packers didn’t make aggressive, headline moves, but the entire process can be viewed positively when evaluated from a macro team-building view.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: What grade should Packers get for 2026 offseason?
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Zach Kruse, Packers Wire | USA TODAY Network
