The Green Bay Packers have a major concern that needs to be addressed.
The Green Bay Packers stayed quiet at the NFL trade deadline, even after losing tight end Tucker Kraft due to a season-ending injury.
But tight end might not even represent the most pressing area of concern for the Packers, who are 5-2-1 and are hoping to make a Super Bowl run.
Matt Schneidman of The Athletic has zeroed in on a major area of worry for Green Bay, and it was a position many were hoping the team would address at the deadline: cornerback.
"Hobbs had been demoted to the team’s No. 3 cornerback behind Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine in the last two games. However, he played 19 of 58 defensive snaps against the Panthers after playing only four of 63 against the Pittsburgh Steelers the week prior," Schneidman wrote. "Nixon has played well for the majority of the season, but he also ranks tied for second among all NFL players with seven penalties this season, according to nflpenalties.com."
Schneidman added that Hobbs is expected to miss multiple weeks due to a meniscus tear.
Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur with cornerback Nate Hobbs. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images."Hobbs’ injury gives the Packers less flexibility in the secondary," Schneidman wrote. "If nickel Javon Bullard gets hurt, that might mean safety Zayne Anderson steps into the box. If either Nixon or Valentine goes down, Kamal Hadden or converted wide receiver Bo Melton are the next men up at outside cornerback. Neither Hadden nor Melton has played a defensive snap yet this season."
The Packers are interested in signing free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., who has not played since last fall due to an injury that ultimately required spinal fusion surgery back in April. But whether or not Samuel will still be the same player remains to be seen.
The cornerback position was identified as an area of weakness for Green Bay during the offseason, and while the Packers did sign Hobbs — who is really more of a nickelback — in free agency, the area was still a clear problem going into 2025.
Green Bay ranks fifth in the NFL in defense and ninth in passing defense, so it's not like the lack of star power in the secondary has been absolutely devastating for Matt LaFleur's club. However, it could obviously present big problems down the stretch and in the playoffs.
It's also important to note that Stephon Gilmore is still available, too, so that is another route the Packers could pursue if need be.
Green Bay will face the Philadelphia Eagles next Monday.