Where do the Green Bay Packers turn next?
Five days into free agency, they've done nothing to upgrade a pass rush that prevented them from making a significant run in the playoffs.
Not even a month ago, general manager Brian Gutekunst stood at the NFL Combine podium and spelled out the Packers' need for an improved pass rush. Beyond doing nothing and hoping the team's current edge defenders improve, the only way is to strengthen in the offseason.
Gutekunst spoke about the need for "urgency." It's unclear exactly what he was referring to, but we are yet to see much evidence in the search for pass-rush reinforcements.
Gutekunst typically attacks needs with a combination of free agency and the draft. So far, his inaction in free agency piles unnecessary pressure on hitting a home run in the draft. Unfortunately, the Dallas Cowboys may have stolen the only remaining free agent that made sense.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Packers were "monitoring" Dante Fowler's free agency market. Instead, he signs a one-year deal with the Cowboys.
They are running out of options.
Packers swing and miss again as Cowboys steal rumored pass-rush target Dante Fowler Jr.
Fowler isn't a game-changer, but he would've helped the Packers' inconsistent pass rush. His 10.5 sacks would've led the Packers by a mile last season — Rashan Gary was Green Bay's closest with 7.5.
According to Pro Football Focus, his 50 pressures would've also led the Packers (Gary had 49).
Fowler is a pass-rush specialist who could've started opposite Gary and provided more consistency to the unit. The best defensive fronts can rotate and still get pressure. Signing Fowler would've been a low-risk, high-upside move. The Packers could've still targeted a pass-rusher early in the draft, but they would face far less urgency to make it happen.
Barring an unlikely trade for All-Pro Trey Hendrickson, the Packers are running out of options.
Khalil Mack and Chase Young re-signed with their respective teams before hitting the market, but the Packers missed out on Josh Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, Joey Bosa, Leonard Floyd, and now Fowler. It's unclear whether they had interest in any of those names outside of Fowler, but their inability to upgrade the defensive line is concerning.
The odds of the Packers drafting a pass-rusher at No. 23 likely just skyrocketed.
