The Green Bay Packers are clearly a draft and develop team. That has been the main philosophy of the franchise for decades, it hasn’t changed with Brian Gutekunst, and it won’t change much for the foreseeable future.

But in some cases, Gutekunst has shown a willingness to add external pieces, and it has worked pretty well. In 2024, the team signed running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney in free agency, and both made the Pro Bowl.

Right after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs, Jacobs was already in recruiting mode for next season.

“Anything on my mind right now is figure out how do we take that step, how do I help the guys take that step,” Jacobs said in the locker room. “But also, the locker room will be different. We got some guys due for contract this year, and we don’t know what that’s gonna look like, how that’s gonna shake up. But I know I’ll try to get some guys in. Most definitely that.”

Maxx Crosby as a trade candidate and Davante Adams as a possible free agent addition if he gets released by the New York Jets would be good options, since Jacobs played with them for the Las Vegas Raiders.

It might be too early for those connections, but free agency and the trade period are right around the corner.

Josh Jacobs has been everything the Packers were looking for when they signed him to a four-year, $48 million deal in March. Beyond being one of the most productive running backs in the NFL, Jacobs was a locker room leader—something particularly important after the Packers decided to part ways with Aaron Jones.

Next year, Jacobs is slated to make $8.2 million. He’s under contract through the 2027 season.