The Green Bay Packers are staring down a tricky offseason. They’ve got roster holes to fill, but not a lot of financial wiggle room to do it.
With the team projected to be well over the salary cap heading into 2026 - and no first-round pick to lean on - the front office has to get creative. That means no big-money free agents, no splashy signings.
Instead, it’s time to dig into the bargain bin and find value where others see risk.
This is familiar territory for the Packers, who’ve historically avoided kicking the cap can too far down the road. Don’t expect Green Bay to start mortgaging the future with void years and bloated contracts.
Instead, look for them to target players who’ve been released - guys who don’t count against the compensatory pick formula but still bring starting-caliber talent. That’s where the Packers can find some hidden gems, and there are a few names worth keeping an eye on if they hit the open market.
Let’s break down three potential targets who could make a lot of sense in Green Bay - if, and it’s a big if, they become available.
T.J. Slaton - A Familiar Face Who Can Fix the Run Defense
If the Bengals decide to part ways with T.J. Slaton, the Packers should be first in line to bring the big man back to Lambeau.
Slaton, who spent his first four seasons in Green Bay, is currently carrying an $8.9 million cap hit in Cincinnati - the sixth-highest on their roster. Cutting him would save the Bengals $6.4 million, and for a franchise that’s never been known for lavish spending, that kind of savings could be tempting.
Here’s the thing: Slaton didn’t play poorly in 2025. Not even close.
He started all 17 games for the third straight season, racked up a career-high 52 tackles, added three sacks, and logged 19 pressures. Those are solid numbers for a nose tackle, especially on a Bengals defense that struggled across the board.
Slaton wasn’t the problem - but he might be part of the solution for Green Bay.
The Packers’ run defense fell apart late last season. Injuries to Devonte Wyatt and midseason pickup Jordon Riley forced the team to cycle through depth options like Quinton Bohanna and Jonathan Ford.
Meanwhile, rookies Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse didn’t provide the immediate impact the team had hoped for. It was a mess.
Slaton, on the other hand, has proven he can anchor the middle. Back in 2024 - his last year in Green Bay - he led all interior defenders in run-stop win rate.
That’s elite company. If the Bengals decide to move on, this is a no-brainer.
Slaton knows the building, understands the culture, and fills an immediate need. Sometimes the best offseason moves are reunions.
Akeem Davis-Gaither - A Fit for the New Defensive Scheme
With Jonathan Gannon now running the defense in Green Bay, there’s a natural connection to Akeem Davis-Gaither. The linebacker played under Gannon last year in Arizona and could be a seamless fit in the Packers’ new-look defense - especially if Green Bay lets Quay Walker walk in free agency.
Davis-Gaither signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Cardinals last offseason, stepping into a leadership role after Kyzir White’s departure. If Arizona cuts him, they’ll save just over $5 million. That’s a move that could be on the table, especially with the Cardinals coming off a historically bad year on defense and a new regime potentially eager to clean house.
But Davis-Gaither wasn’t part of the problem. He posted a career-high 117 tackles, second on the team behind Budda Baker, and provided steady play in a chaotic system. He knows Gannon’s scheme inside and out, and that kind of continuity could be invaluable as the Packers transition to a new defensive identity.
Green Bay needs more than just bodies at linebacker - they need smart, instinctive players who can lead. Davis-Gaither checks those boxes. He’s not a superstar, but he’s a glue guy, and every good defense needs a few of those.
Sean Murphy-Bunting - Betting on the Upside at Corner
Cornerback was a trouble spot for the Packers last season. Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and Nate Hobbs all had their moments, but consistency in coverage and ball production was lacking. That’s where Sean Murphy-Bunting could come in - if he’s healthy and if he becomes available.
Murphy-Bunting missed the entire 2025 season with a knee injury after landing on the non-football injury list in May. The Cardinals could save $7.24 million by releasing him, and given the injury and the team’s broader defensive struggles, that’s a real possibility.
Before the injury, Murphy-Bunting was a playmaker. In 2024, his last full season, he recorded three interceptions.
And don’t forget his playoff pedigree - during Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl run in 2020, he picked off a pass in each of his first three playoff games, becoming the first player to do that since Ed Reed. That’s not just talent - that’s clutch.
Green Bay could use that kind of experience and playmaking ability. Murphy-Bunting knows Gannon’s system from their time in Arizona, and if he’s healthy, he could push for a starting role right away.
With Nixon and Hobbs both potential cap casualties, the Packers may need to rework their cornerback room entirely. Murphy-Bunting would be a smart, low-risk, high-reward option.
Final Thoughts
This offseason won’t be about fireworks for the Packers - it’ll be about finding value, filling gaps, and setting the stage for long-term success. Players like T.J. Slaton, Akeem Davis-Gaither, and Sean Murphy-Bunting might not move the needle nationally, but they could be the kind of under-the-radar additions that make a real difference on Sundays.
Green Bay’s margin for error is slim. But with smart, targeted moves - especially ones that don’t hurt the compensatory pick formula - the Packers can stay competitive while staying true to their team-building philosophy.
Keep an eye on these names. If they hit the market, don’t be surprised if Green Bay makes a move.