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Green Bay Packers Successfully Sign Two-Time Pro Bowl DT with "Steal" Contract - Building the Strongest Defense in NFC North with Devonte Wyatt Taking on New Role

Green Bay, Wisconsin – 03/12/2026 – The Green Bay Packers made a strategic move in the 2026 offseason by signing defensive tackle (DT) Javon Hargrave, a two-time Pro Bowler. Hargrave joins the team with a two-year contract worth $23 million, including $13 million in the first year.

“I’ve always followed the Packers from afar and dreamed of one day wearing the green and gold. Now, I’m the one getting to do it. I’m so excited to join a team with such a rich history and an incredible fanbase. Get ready, because I’m bringing everything I’ve got to help the team move forward!” – Javon Hargrave shared at the contract signing ceremony.

From Minnesota to Green Bay: Former Vikings DT Javon Hargrave reached agreement today on a 2-year deal for $23 million, including $13 million this year with the Packers, per Drew Rosenhaus. pic.twitter.com/IlxbrGFn7Q

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2026

Hargrave, 33, was previously a key contributor for the Minnesota Vikings before being released and signing with Green Bay. In the 2025 season, he appeared in 16 games, recording 52 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery, further cementing his role as a dominant interior defensive player.

Although Hargrave is no longer in his prime and is not expected to make another Pro Bowl, he still provides significant defensive strength for the Packers. With his ability to stifle the running game and generate pressure on quarterbacks, he will immediately become one of Green Bay's key defensive players.

What makes this deal even sweeter for the Packers is the fact that they “stole” Hargrave from their NFC North rival – the Minnesota Vikings. A team forced to cut costs to maintain its budget, leaving them unable to retain Hargrave, giving the Packers a prime opportunity to land him.

Hargrave will pair with Devonte Wyatt at defensive tackle, forming a formidable duo on the team’s defensive line. With defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who previously coached Hargrave at the Philadelphia Eagles, now joining the Packers, Hargrave will be familiar with the system, maximizing his impact in 2026.

In the 2022 season, Hargrave recorded 60 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries – one of the best seasons of his career. Joining the Packers presents an opportunity for Hargrave to continue his development and help the team build an even stronger defensive unit.

With Hargrave’s addition, Green Bay will have a powerful and deep defense, ready to take on tough NFC North opponents. The 2026 season will be a significant challenge for the Packers, but with strategic additions like Hargrave, they hope to make a deep run and compete for a championship.

Sources Say Packers Are "Finalizing Terms" to Trade Jayden Reed to Boost Pass Rush with Defensive Player Who Has 243 Tackles
The Green Bay Packers have been selective with their free agency additions this offseason, bringing in cornerback Benjamin St. Juste, former division rival from 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 rusher group is certainly looking a bit thinner than the team would otherwise want beyond 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-round picks 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. Especially for a franchise that is notorious for its draft-and-develop approach. Cardinals don’t have a natural slot receiver after Greg Dortch hit free agency.Josh Sweat for Jayden Reed, who says no? — Mark Oldacres (@MarkOldacres) March 12, 2026 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. Mark Oldacres@MarkOldacresCardinals don’t have a natural slot receiver after Greg Dortch hit free agency. Josh Sweat for Jayden Reed, who says no?12:48 pm · 12 Mar 2026 Why Would the Packers Trade Jayden Reed? It has been suggested by some 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 a 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 complicated and financially unfeasible. Josh Sweat Would Boost the Packers’ Edge Rushing Corps Sweat, on the other hand, has three years remaining on his deal – 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 looks to capitalize on their 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. In a defense that 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 focus 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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