The Green Bay Packers are in the midst of another great season with Jordan Love under center.  They’re 10-4 and on the brink of clinching a playoff spot if they can beat the New Orleans Saints (5-9) on Monday Night Football.

However, there may be one defensive starter who doesn’t see the field for the rest of the year with Green Bay.

“This Is It” Packers Pegged To Cut Ties With 25-Year-Old Starter Amid Playoff Run

Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) nearly intercepts a pass intended for Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper (81) during the fourth quarter of their game on December 25, 2021 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. First-round draftee Stokes was the 29th pick. His years with Green Bay are 2020-present. © Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) nearly intercepts a pass intended for Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper (81) during the fourth quarter of their game on December 25, 2021 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. First-round draftee Stokes was the 29th pick. His years with Green Bay are 2020-present. © Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

By selecting Eric Stokes out of Georgia in the first round in 2021, the Packers were trying to fix an issue that had been exposed during the previous season’s NFC championship game. That game is when Tom Brady scored three touchdowns on the Green Bay defense in the first 32 minutes, ending their chances of making a comeback and reaching the Super Bowl:

It’s never really worked out, though.  While Alexander has struggled to stay healthy recently, Stokes has been banged up for the last three years, mostly with foot/ankle and hamstring injuries, after a very promising rookie season.

Stokes played 12 games in the past two seasons, and while he has played 14 this year, it’s clear injuries have prevented him from being the guy the Packers hoped he’d be.

According to team insider Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, there is no chance the Packers will bring Stokes back. He was asked in a mailbag this week why the Packers don’t play Carrington Valentine more than Stokes, given that Valentine figures to be around next season.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) practices during the second day of the team’s 2023 training camp on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at Ray Nitschke Field in Green Bay, Wis. Seeger Gray/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) practices during the second day of the team’s 2023 training camp on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at Ray Nitschke Field in Green Bay, Wis. Seeger Gray/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

“The keg has been tapped clean on Stokes. You’re right,” Schneidman wrote. “That being said, I don’t think Valentine is a stud just yet and you’re not going to play guys full time to prepare for the future when you’re in the thick of a playoff race. Coaches don’t see a clear superior in the battle, for whatever reason.

Stokes played fine against the Seahawks, I thought. There’s no way he re-signs in free agency, but the Packers don’t have a plethora of experienced options when Alexander and Bullard are both out.”

Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) runs onto Lambeau Field at Packers Family Night on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) runs onto Lambeau Field at Packers Family Night on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis.

Here is a look at Stokes’ stats in his career:

Def Interceptions Fumbles Tackles
Season Age Team Lg Pos G GS Int Yds IntTD Lng PD FF Fmb FR Yds FRTD Sk Comb Solo Ast TFL QBHits Sfty AV Awards
2021 22 GNB NFL LCB/RCB 16 14 1 0 0 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 55 43 12 0 0 0 4
2022 23 GNB NFL RCB 9 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 26 21 5 0 0 0 2
2023 24 GNB NFL CB 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 6 5 1 1 0 0 1
2024 25 GNB NFL CB 14 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 36 25 11 0 0 0
4 Yrs 42 32 1 0 0 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 123 94 29 1 0 0 7
17 Game Avg 17 13 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 50 38 12 0 0 0 3
Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) is carted off the field during the first half against Detroit Lions at Ford Field, Nov. 6, 2022.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) is carted off the field during the first half against Detroit Lions at Ford Field, Nov. 6, 2022.

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