Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekuns is shown before their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, December 17, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The Green Bay Packers prioritizing a cornerback in free agency always made sense.
Given defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s premium on dominant secondary play being the backbone of a defense, and the continued uncertainty surrounding All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander’s future, it wasn’t surprising to see Green Bay strike early at the position in free agency.
Former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs was the benefactor of the Packers’ need, and cap space to fill it, after signing a four-year contract worth $48 million shortly after free agency began.
During the NFL Annual Meeting, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst revealed that Green Bay has had sights set on Hobbs for some time.
“Richmond Williams on our pro staff does a great job and has been pushing (for him),” Gutekunst told reporters at the NFL Annual Meeting in West Palm Beach. “We just really thought he’s a really versatile all-around corner, can do everything. We really like his ability to play on the outside, which he hasn’t done a ton of, but the ability to move him inside and match different receivers, and his play style I think is one of the things that really stood out to all of us.”
Hobbs, 25, cashes in a $16 million signing bonus and likely walks into a starting role in Hafley’s secondary this fall, regardless of what the Packers wind up doing in this year’s draft or where Alexander winds up.
Through his first four seasons, since being chosen by the Raiders in the fifth-round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Hobbs has produced 281 total tackles, intercepted three passes and logged three career sacks.
Gutekunst and the Packers are banking on him playing a vital role in the defense’s continued ascension.
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