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Green Bay Packers Star CB Informs Team He Will Not Return Next Season

Green Bay Packers Star CB Informs Team He Will Not Return Next Season

 Posted March 8, 2026

Green Bay, WI. The Green Bay Packers appear set to part ways with a high-profile free-agent signing from last offseason who struggled with injuries and failed to meet expectations in his first year with the team as the offseason begins.

According to sources close to the organization and widespread league reporting, the cornerback has conveyed to those around the team that he does not anticipate returning to Green Bay when the new league year starts, amid ongoing discussions about his future and the team's cap considerations.

The situation primarily revolves around unresolved contract matters and performance concerns. With the Packers managing salary-cap pressures (projected around moderate space but burdened by other commitments) and roster decisions, including potential cuts or trades for underperforming veterans, no agreement has emerged to restructure or extend his deal in a way that fits both sides.

The player is Nate Hobbs, whose four-year, $48 million contract (signed in March 2025 with $16 million guaranteed) remains active but faces significant scrutiny, with a $6.25 million roster bonus due early in the new league year (around March 13) and escalating cap hits if retained.

Hobbs arrived in Green Bay as a key addition expected to bolster the secondary after strong years with the Las Vegas Raiders, but his 2025 season was derailed by multiple knee injuries.

In 11 games (5 starts), limited by a training camp meniscus tear requiring surgery, recurring knee issues, and an MCL tear ending his year on injured reserve, he recorded 27 total tackles (14 solo), 2 passes defended, and no interceptions or forced fumbles. He played just 358 defensive snaps (around 30-35% in games he appeared), bouncing between slot and outside roles with underwhelming coverage metrics and PFF grades reflecting the injury impact and adjustment struggles.

Despite flashes of the physicality and versatility that made him attractive initially, the season fell short of the stability hoped for, drawing criticism and trade speculation from analysts (including ESPN ranking him among top-15 potential trade candidates).

The Packers' cap situation and depth at cornerback (with options like Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon) have made retaining him at his current structure challenging. Releasing or trading him could save future cap space (though short-term savings are limited), while his market value as a 26-year-old with injury history is projected lower—potentially in the $5-8 million annual range on a shorter deal if he lands elsewhere.

The former fifth-round pick has already drawn interest from teams as free agency nears, with some viewing him as a bounce-back candidate in the right scheme or with better health, though others see risk in his availability.

For the Packers, Hobbs' likely departure (via release, trade, or non-return) represents a tough but necessary decision in an offseason focused on cap relief, defensive rebuilding, and prioritizing youth or more reliable pieces in the secondary.

Unless a surprising resolution occurs before free agency opens, it now appears Nate Hobbs’ time with the Green Bay Packers is coming to an end after one disappointing, injury-plagued season.

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IT’S HAPPENING! Packers make the BRUTAL decision to trade Reed for the Cardinals’ 12-sack pass-rushing phenom.
  The Green Bay Packers have been selective with their free agency additions this offseason, bringing in cornerback Benjamin St. Juste along with former division rival with the Minnesota Vikings Javon Hargrave, and return specialist Skyy Moore. However after the departures of Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare through trade and free agency respectively, the edge rushing corps is certainly looking a bit thinner than the team would otherwise want behind All-Pro Micah Parsons. So it is not shocking that rumors have already surfaced claiming that the Packers are “interested” in Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Josh Sweat. However, given that Green Bay is not exactly blessed with draft capital in 2026, having given up their first rounders in 2026 and 2027 in the trade that had them acquire Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys, it stands that general manager Brian Gutekunst may well be wary of moving any and all draft picks from this coming draft. Especially for a franchise that is notorious for its draft-and-develop approach.   So, a proposal coming from Cheesehead TV and The Packers Wire’s Mark Oldacres suggests that Green Bay could consider moving receiver Jayden Reed in return for Sweat, citing the Cardinals’ need in the slot and the Packers’ desire to bolster the pass rush. Embed X: https://twitter.com/MarkOldacres/status/2032136676219224308 “Cardinals don’t have a natural slot receiver after Greg Dortch hit free agency. Josh Sweat for Jayden Reed, who says no?” Oldacres wrote on X on Thursday. Why Would the Packers Trade Jayden Reed? It has been posited by some of the Packers media that the team could quietly look to move off of Reed this offseason. The former second round pick has been productive when on the field, but with imminent extensions likely for wideout Christian Watson and tight end Tucker Kraft, it could be difficult to justify also handing one to Reed, especially given the presence of 2025 first round pick Matthew Golden, who is expected to have more substantial role in 2026.   The Packers also have players like Evan Williams, Javon Bullard and Edgerrin Cooper to consider – all of whom are playing at a Pro Bowl level, even if none have made one – who will be up for a contract renewal at the end of this season. So signing Reed to a long term deal could be both complicated and financially unfeasible for Green Bay. Josh Sweat Would Boost the Packers’ Edge Rushing Corps Sweat, on the other hand has three years remaining on his existing contract with Arizona – which could easily become two with an early release – and would provide Green Bay with some short-to-medium term help on the edge as the team look to capitalize on their open Super Bowl window. The 28-year old had 12 sacks last season, and has managed a total of 37.5 over the past four years with both the Cardinals and the Eagles.   Playing on a defense whose opponents will be focused on stopping the likes of Parsons, having a top-of-the-range secondary edge rusher like Sweat could be even more beneficial. Sweat would face fewer double teams and have less specific defensive schematics directed on him, allowing him to roam free one-on-one for much of the season, Parsons’ health permitting. And for the price of a receiver who is out of contract at the end of the year, it could make a lot of sense for GB – even if they have to throw in another day 3 pick in 2027 as a sweetener.

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