I’ve been pondering a list of the 50 top free agents available in 2019 that CBS Sports compiled. Numbers 28 through 34 are all still available as I write, but 18 of these 27 top players have pending deals.
Of those 18 players, how many teams do you think are about to sign up more than one of these coveted guys? Just One. Who? Green Bay. Brian Gutekunst and his scouting team are reported to be about to sign up numbers 12 (LB Preston Smith), 13 (LB Za’Darius Smith), and 15 (Adrian Amos). Considering there are over 600 free agents out there, not bad.
Gutey indicated he was going to be active in free agency. That can go down as the understatement of the year so far.
How many Packers players were on the list of 50 about-to-be free agents? Just one, Muhammad Wilkerson (#47), who has only suited up in the green and gold three times in his life.
Just a couple days ago, I surmised that we’d probably know by March 15 whether the Packers were going to continue to rebuild its roster to be a contender down the road, or whether they planned to be a contender in 2019. I got my answer. Gutey brought in three guys who are undoubtedly penciled in as starters.
Let’s throw in Broncos guard Billy Turner, who the Packers are said to be about to pay $28 million for four years. The plan is undoubtedly for him to start too.
All members of the foursome are 27 or younger – presumably in their prime. All four were well regarded by most free agency experts. All arguably had their best year in 2018, and all are likely still getting better. All four should nicely fill current roster weak spots: guard, safety, and two outside linebacker slots. All four are about to commit to four years in Green Bay.
We are witnessing history being made, my friends.