Economical free-agent approach has worked wonders for Packers

Furthermore, when injuries hit in 2022, the Packers fortified the roster with the in-season additions of veteran linebackers Eric Wilson and Justin Hollins, along with safety Innis Gaines, a former undrafted free agent whom the team was developing on the practice squad the past two seasons.

Gutekunst credits director of pro personnel Richmond Williams and director of player personnel John Wojciechowski for building those scouting pipelines, and Head Coach Matt LaFleur and his coaching staff for how they’ve utilized incoming veterans to the fullest.

“When we bring a guy in late, Matt and his staff, I give them a lot of credit for allowing these guys the opportunity that they do,” Gutekunst said. “Sometimes when you bring guys in late, it’s very hard for coaches to find that opportunity, and Matt and his staff have done a nice job of incorporating those guys into what we’re doing.”

The Packers retained both Campbell and Douglas after their breakout seasons and would love nothing more than to do the same with Nixon. In addition to his special-teams impact, the 5-foot-10, 200-pound defensive back played 289 snaps as a slot cornerback in sub-packages.

The Packers already have started restructuring deals to create cap room for when the new league year starts on March 15. Over the next two months, many critical decisions loom for the Packers, who have 14 pending unrestricted free agents and upwards of 10 draft picks.

Make no mistake, however, the search for free agents never stops…whether it’s March, June or September.

“I think (it’s important) just leaning on our process and not panicking as these really good players fly off the board, guys you’re really interested in,” Gutekunst said. “That’s one of the hardest things in the scouting process is you put a lot of time and effort and you get really excited about what these players can do for you, but the reality is 90% of them are going to go somewhere else.

“Having the discipline to trust your board (is key) and then quite frankly just stay after it once the lights of free agency and the first week are gone.”