The Green Bay Packers are 9-4 following their 34-31 loss to the 12-1 Detroit Lions last Thursday night. While the loss all but ended their hopes of winning the NFC North, it does not eliminate them from postseason contention. Far from it.
In fact, the Packers have roughly a 98% chance of making the NFL Playoffs for the second year in a row.
That does not mean, though, that the team does not have concerning weaknesses. The loss against Detroit was just another example of the Packers’ lack of quality depth at both linebacker and cornerback.
The Green Bay Packers Have Questions at Cornerback
Of course, the Packers’ secondary would have played much better had two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander had been healthy. As it was, the two-time Second Team All-Pro missed his third consecutive game as he is working his way back from a torn PCL.
Unfortunately, the rest of Green Bay’s cornerbacks have struggled without their star. While Keisean Nixon has played well, he has also had to be moved back to the nickel due to the injury suffered by Javon Bullard.
Without Alexander, Eric Stokes has played incredibly poorly. He has not broken up a single pass and is allowing a 64.4% completion percentage (and 110.1 passer rating) when targeted.
Carrington Valentine, whom many fans believe should play more, is giving up an 81.3% completion percentage (and 118.7 passer rating) when targeted.
The fact of the matter is that if the Packers are going to make a deep run in the NFL Playoffs, they need better play from their cornerbacks.
NFL Analyst Urges the Green Bay Packers to Sign Patrick Peterson
In a recent article posted by Bleacher Report, NFL analyst Matt Holder suggests that Green Bay could look to Patrick Peterson, an eight-time Pro Bowl free agent cornerback, to help add some quality depth to the position.
“It couldn’t hurt to at least bring in Peterson for a workout and see what he has left in the tank, especially with the playoffs coming up. While the 34-year-old isn’t the player he used to be, he does have seven interceptions and 26 passes defended over the last two seasons combined. At this stage, that might be the club’s best option heading into the postseason.”
Peterson has not made the Pro Bowl since 2018, but he did have a strong season last year for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He allowed just a 59.4% completion percentage (though a 91.5 passer rating) and intercepted two passes.
In fact, Peterson has not allowed a completion percentage over 60% since 2020.
Obviously, he is a free agent for a reason. Teams must not be very high on what he has to offer. But given how poorly the Packers’ secondary has played, it cannot hurt to at least bring him in for a tryout.
