As the Green Bay Packers begin their search for a new defensive coordinator following Jeff Hafley’s departure to take the head coaching job in Miami, there’s another critical front office task looming large - reshaping the roster. And perhaps no position group needs more attention than the cornerbacks.
Green Bay's secondary struggled mightily in 2025, especially when it came to defending wide receivers. The Packers ranked 30th in the NFL in EPA per pass on targets to wideouts - a stat that paints a clear picture of how often they were getting beat in coverage. Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and Nate Hobbs all posted below-average numbers in adjusted yards allowed per coverage snap, and while the pass rush helped mask some of those issues, that safety net may not be there in 2026.
Micah Parsons, who had been a game-wrecker off the edge, is expected to miss a significant portion of the upcoming season while recovering from a torn ACL. And with Rashan Gary potentially becoming a cap casualty, the Packers can’t afford to roll into next year with the same coverage issues and diminished pressure up front. That means cornerback has to be a priority - whether through the draft, trade, or, more immediately, free agency.
And as it happens, two intriguing cornerbacks will be on the field in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game - players the Packers could realistically target when free agency opens: Riq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks and Roger McCreary of the Los Angeles Rams.
Riq Woolen: High Ceiling, High Price Tag
Let’s start with Woolen, who burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2022 with six interceptions and a Pro Bowl nod. At 6-foot-4 with elite speed, he’s the kind of long, athletic corner that defensive coordinators dream about. But his second and third years have been more of a rollercoaster.
Woolen got off to a rocky start in 2025, and there was even buzz that Seattle might try to move him at the trade deadline. That didn’t happen - and it’s a good thing for the Seahawks that it didn’t.
In the second half of the season, Woolen found his form again and then some. From Week 9 onward, he didn’t allow more than 32 receiving yards in a single game.
That’s not just improvement - that’s lockdown corner territory.
Of course, that kind of turnaround has a price. Spotrac projects Woolen’s next deal at four years, $62.75 million.
That’s elite-cornerback money, and for a team like the Packers - who are facing a tight salary cap situation - it’s a tough ask. But if Green Bay can create space through restructures or strategic cuts, Woolen would be a big swing with potentially big rewards.
He’s still just 26, and his physical tools give him a ceiling few corners can match.
Roger McCreary: Versatility at a More Manageable Cost
If the Packers decide Woolen’s price tag is too steep, there’s another compelling option in Roger McCreary - and he brings a different kind of value to the table.
Originally drafted by the Titans in the second round in 2022, McCreary was traded to the Rams midseason and has quietly become one of the more dependable slot corners in the league. But what makes him especially appealing is his versatility.
He’s shown he can play both inside and outside, and he’s been effective in both man and zone schemes. That kind of flexibility is gold in today’s NFL, where defensive coordinators are constantly adjusting to matchups and motion-heavy offenses.
After missing some time late in the year with a hip injury, McCreary returned and immediately made an impact. In five games with the Rams, he allowed just two catches for 14 yards and held opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of 58.3 when targeting him.
That’s elite production in a small sample, and it builds on a solid overall season. Between his time in Tennessee and L.A., McCreary earned a 69.2 grade from Pro Football Focus - good for 28th out of 114 qualifying corners.
Financially, McCreary would be a more manageable addition. Spotrac estimates his market value at around $12 million per year - a number that could fit into Green Bay’s plans without requiring major cap gymnastics.
The Bottom Line
Whether the Packers go big with a player like Woolen or opt for the more budget-friendly McCreary, the message is clear: cornerback has to be addressed this offseason. With uncertainty surrounding the pass rush and a secondary that struggled to hold up even with pressure, Green Bay can’t afford to stand pat.
The good news? There are options. And come Sunday, Packers fans might want to keep an eye on the corners lining up in the NFC title game - one of them could be wearing green and gold next fall.