The Green Bay Packers are sleeper contenders heading into the 2024 season, and they could be on the verge of acquiring an eight-time Pro Bowler who would raise expectations even higher.
Jordan Love should have Green Bay's offense humming come September, but the Packers will need elite play on both sides of the ball to stand out in what promises to be an ultra-competitive NFC North.
Green Bay's general manager Brian Gutekunst recognizes the importance of having a formidable defense, which is why he didn't waste much time this offseason in signing stud safety Xavier McKinney to a four-year deal. For the same reason, Gutekunst used the No. 58 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on safety Javon Bullard out of Georgia.
Gutekunst is not done adding depth to the Packers' defense, however. Green Bay is a tad thin at cornerback, which is likely going to influence Gutekunst's next move.
Jaire Alexander is a two-time Pro Bowler at corner for the Packers, but Green Bay's other options -- though talented -- are either inexperienced or injury-prone. Eric Stokes is expected to start opposite Alexander, but he's been compromised by hamstring and foot injuries over the past two seasons. Carrington Valentine figures to be a serviceable backup in his second year, but his inexperience could be exposed in the secondary if either Stokes or Alexander (who is also injury-prone) goes down for an extended period.
Gutekunst needs to add an experienced cornerback to Green Bay's depth chart, and lucky for him, Patrick Peterson is on the market. Peterson has already been linked to the Packers, which makes sense considering the perfect fit.
On Tuesday, Zone Coverage's Brandon Virk released a report placing Peterson in Green Bay. Virk expressed that one of either Peterson or Stephon Gilmore would make sense financially and football-wise for the Packers.
"Peterson would provide depth to a cornerback room that needs it and veteran leadership to a young team," Virk said.
"Gilmore and Peterson ... figure to ink for one year and less than $10 million. That’s not too big of an ask for a team that just got Aaron Rodgers’ disastrous contract off the books and is flush with rookie deals. ... Considering the need for depth, value, experience, and relatively low cost, cornerback seems like the best place to add a piece."
Peterson, 33, showed no signs of slowing down last season, appearing in all 17 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers and starting in 16. He compiled 42 total tackles (34 solo) and two interceptions in 2023, during which he also became the NFL's career interception leader among active players with 35.
Peterson would look great in a Packers uniform, and Gutekunst could be making that happen in the coming weeks.
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