5 Key Additions the Packers Need to Extend Their Super Bowl Window This Offseason

General manager Brian Gutekunst isn’t hiding his intentions this offseason. His message to the Green Bay Packers was clear: “We need to ramp up our sense of urgency” in the pursuit of another Super Bowl.

That sense of urgency starts in the front office. Gutekunst and his team must walk a fine line—acquiring players who can help Green Bay win immediately while also extending the team’s championship window.

With key pieces in place and a healthy salary cap situation, the Packers are poised to make moves that could push them over the top.

Whether it’s through the draft, free agency, or trades, Green Bay has the tools to improve. They don’t need a total overhaul, but targeted additions in critical areas could make all the difference. The clock is ticking, and every decision matters.

Here are five players the Packers should target this offseason to strengthen their roster and ramp up their Super Bowl pursuit.

1. Mike Green, Edge, Marshall

One of the Packers’ top priorities this offseason will be addressing their inconsistent pass rush. Time and again last season, including in the playoffs, Green Bay’s secondary was left exposed as opposing quarterbacks had too much time in the pocket. Generating natural pressure has to be a focal point if the Packers want to take their defense to the next level.

Gutekunst has historically leaned toward drafting raw, toolsy edge rushers with elite physical traits who often take years to develop.

Mike Green from Marshall, however, could represent a shift in strategy. Instead of a long-term project, Green offers immediate production and a refined skill set.

The numbers speak for themselves. Green led the FBS in sacks last season with 17, finished second in tackles for loss with 22, and posted a 15.5 percent pressure rate, ranking ninth nationally.

What makes Green intriguing for the Packers is his style of play. Unlike Green Bay’s current edge rushers, who tend to rely on power and strength to win their matchups, Green is a speed rusher. His quick first step and ability to bend around offensive tackles provide a different dynamic—one that could complement the team’s existing personnel and diversify their defensive attack.

2. Asante Samuel Jr., Cornerback

The Packers will need to address their cornerback room this offseason, one way or another. With Jaire Alexander likely to be a cap casualty—saving Green Bay approximately $7 million but leaving a significant void—retooling the secondary becomes a top priority.

Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine are solid contributors, but neither should be counted on as a number one corner.

Asante Samuel Jr. presents an intriguing option.

At just 25 years old, Samuel is a very good cover corner with the athleticism and instincts to stick with top receivers and make them work for every yard. He’s shown flashes of brilliance, and his youth and upside make him an appealing target for a team looking to inject life into its secondary.

However, Samuel isn’t without flaws.

Tackling is his Achilles’ heel, and it’s a glaring one. He missed 22.2 percent of his tackle attempts this season, a troubling trend that raises questions about his ability to contribute as a complete defender.

The financial side of this equation is where things get tricky. Pro Football Focus projects Samuel will command a three-year deal worth $14.5 million annually.

That’s a steep price for Green Bay, particularly with their cap situation. However, a creative structure that includes non-guaranteed money in the second and third years could make the deal more palatable. It would allow the Packers to move on if Samuel doesn’t live up to expectations.

Samuel isn’t the lockdown number one corner the Packers might prefer, but he fills a critical need at a position in flux. His coverage ability could help stabilize a revamped secondary, and if the contract details align, he’s worth serious consideration.

3. Shavon Revel Jr., Cornerback, East Carolina

Addressing a key position through both free agency and the draft is a hallmark of Gutekunst’s roster-building philosophy.

At cornerback, this dual approach makes perfect sense for the Packers. Adding a veteran like Samuel Jr. would be a solid move, but pairing him with a high-upside draft pick like Shavon Revel Jr. could transform Green Bay’s secondary into one of the league’s deepest and most promising units.

Revel Jr. entered the 2024 college season as a projected top-ten pick, but a torn ACL derailed his campaign and raised questions about his health. While some teams may shy away due to medical concerns, the Packers should be ready to pounce if his knee checks out.

At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Revel has the size NFL teams covet in a modern cornerback. His frame allows him to compete physically with bigger receivers, while his speed enables him to stick with faster wideouts. He possesses the versatility to thrive in both man and zone coverage schemes, making him an ideal fit for Green Bay’s defensive system.

Adding Revel Jr. to a cornerback group that already includes Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and a proven veteran like Samuel Jr. (or another free agent) would be a home run.

Not only would this depth give defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley more flexibility, but it would also set the Packers up for long-term success. With Nixon and Samuel providing experience and Revel Jr. and Valentine bringing youth and upside, Green Bay’s secondary would be well-positioned for 2025 and beyond.

Drafting Revel comes with some risk due to his injury history, but his upside is undeniable. If the medical evaluations are positive, Gutekunst should do everything in his power to secure him.

4. Matthew Golden, Wide Receiver, Texas

Continuing the theme of addressing a position through both free agency and the draft, the Packers could use this strategy at wide receiver as well. While a proven veteran would provide immediate stability, drafting a high-upside playmaker like Matthew Golden in the second round could bring long-term value to a position in need of a refresh.

Golden would be an excellent addition to Green Bay’s receiving corps. With Christian Watson’s 2025 season in jeopardy due to his ACL injury, the stagnation of the team’s other young wideouts, and a wave of upcoming free agents in 2026 and 2027, the Packers can’t afford to wait any longer to invest in fresh talent.

Last season, Golden was a standout for Texas, catching 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns. His explosiveness leaps off the tape. Golden consistently creates separation against man coverage, something the Packers lacked in 2024.

He’s the kind of receiver who can take the top off a defense or beat a corner with sharp route-running, providing a much-needed dimension to Green Bay’s offense.

Golden’s versatility makes him even more appealing. Matt LaFleur would have a field day designing plays for a player who can line up on the outside, work out of the slot, or even take snaps in the backfield. His ability to move around the formation would give the Packers a weapon they can deploy in multiple ways, keeping defenses guessing.

For a team looking to retool its offense and add explosiveness, Golden checks all the boxes. Pairing him with a veteran addition in free agency would ensure the Packers have both short-term reliability and long-term upside at wide receiver. If Green Bay wants to maximize its Super Bowl window, Golden is the type of draft pick that could help open it even further.

5. Tee Higgins, Wide Receiver

If the Packers are serious about extending their Super Bowl window, why not aim high and pursue the best wide receiver available in free agency? Tee Higgins fits that mold perfectly and would bring a much-needed spark to Green Bay’s offense.

At 26 years old, Higgins is exactly the type of free agent Gutekunst loves to target: young, proven, and still ascending.

Higgins already boasts an impressive NFL resume, combining consistency with flashes of dominance. Over his five-year career, he’s eclipsed 900 receiving yards and six touchdowns in four seasons. His best year came in 2021, when he caught 74 passes for 1,091 yards and six touchdowns, solidifying his place as one of the league’s premier complementary wideouts.

What makes Higgins so appealing is his ability to seamlessly transition into a lead receiver role. In Cincinnati, he’s thrived as the 1B option alongside Ja’Marr Chase. Pairing Higgins with Christian Watson (when healthy) and a dynamic rookie like Matthew Golden would instantly elevate the Packers’ receiving corps.

The biggest concern with Higgins is his health. He’s missed five games in each of the past two seasons and hasn’t been fully healthy since 2022.

That said, the reward far outweighs the risk. Green Bay’s receiving group stalled in 2024, struggling to create separation and provide consistent production. Higgins would immediately address those issues while giving Jordan Love a reliable, high-level target in both intermediate and deep passing situations.

Signing Higgins won’t come cheap—his combination of age, production, and potential will make him one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason. But for a team looking to maximize its championship window while also securing a long-term solution at wide receiver, he’s worth every penny.

Higgins represents both an immediate upgrade and a building block for the future, a rare combination that should make him a top priority for Green Bay.