Packers Pushed To Sign Five-Time Pro Bowler To Bolster Secondary

After losing Jaire Alexander in June, Green Bay Packers fans are now turning their hopes to a reshuffled cornerback room for answers in 2025. Green Bay signed Nate Hobbs in free agency, and he should start alongside Keisean Nixon in base defense. However, both have primarily lined up in the slot throughout their careers, and the lack of reliable, consistent production on the outside is a concern.

The depth behind Hobbs and Nixon is not very encouraging. Carrington Valentine is expected to be the third-string cornerback and should see some snaps in nickel formations. Meanwhile, Kalen King, Gregory Junior, Kamal Hadden, Isaiah Dunn, Johnathan Baldwin, and Tyron Herring will all compete for a roster spot in training camp and will most likely contribute on special teams. 

The Packers are confident their current cornerbacks can get the job done, but it would not hurt to explore other options to bolster the secondary before training camp. With that in mind, Packers Coverage's Matthew Schmidt identifies former New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore as the key solution to strengthen Green Bay’s secondary.

"Gilmore may not be the same superstar who won the Defensive Player of the Year award back in 2019, but he still managed a productive campaign with the Minnesota Vikings last season, registering 56 tackles, an interception and nine passes defended," Schmidt wrote. 

"For the second straight year, the 34-year-old remains available deep into the offseason, with the veteran probably waiting for the perfect opportunity. It’s hard to envision a better fit than the Packers right now," he added. 

Gilmore signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Vikings last season, which could serve as a baseline for Green Bay in any contract negotiations. The Packers currently have over $35 million in available cap space, according to Over The Cap, so they certainly have the financial flexibility to get a deal done if they choose to pursue him.

There seems to be a strong level of confidence in Green Bay’s current group, making it unlikely the team would seriously pursue Gilmore. Beyond that, his profile does not align with what GM Brian Gutekunst typically looks for in free agents. Still, Gilmore would bring a veteran presence to a locker room that should be one of the youngest in the league once again.