In the last off-season, the Green Bay Packers made a significant move by signing cornerback Nate Hobbs to a four-year, $48 million contract. The hope was that Hobbs would solidify one of their defense's more vulnerable positions. However, the reality was quite different.
Hobbs struggled with injuries throughout the season, managing to appear in only 11 games. Even when he was on the field, his performance was less than stellar. In 2025, opposing quarterbacks completed 65.5% of their passes when targeting him, resulting in a passer rating of 111.1.
This underwhelming season has led to a chorus of fans calling for his release. Yet, the Packers might consider a different route-exploring trade options.
Recently, ESPN analysts named Hobbs as a top-15 trade candidate for this off-season. His struggles in Green Bay have made him a candidate for a change of scenery:
“Hobbs was brought in as a free agent last year but faced injuries and was shuffled between slot and outside corner roles. He seems better suited as a slot corner, but the Packers have depth there. Trading him could net the Packers some valuable draft picks.
“With a $6.25 million roster bonus due on the third day of the league year, any trade after that would be more financially appealing for the acquiring team.
“Interest in Hobbs wasn’t limited to the Packers last year, suggesting there might be a market for him as a slot corner.”
Potential landing spots include the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, and Buffalo Bills. Among these, the Dolphins appear to be the most logical fit. Their general manager, Jon Eric-Sullivan, was with the Packers when Hobbs was signed, and their head coach, Jeff Hafley, was Hobbs' defensive coordinator last year.
The idea of trading Hobbs to the Lions seems far-fetched, as the Packers typically avoid dealings with division rivals.