sports

Wednesday Cheese Curds: Packers preparing for free agency

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 20: Green Bay Packers guard Aaron Banks (65) prepares for the snap during a regular season game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears on December 20, 2025, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

A week from now, the first wave of free agency will basically be over, even though free agency won’t yet have technically begun.

The “legal tampering” period opens on Monday (say it with me one more time: if it’s legal, it’s not tampering, and if it’s tampering, it’s not legal), giving teams a free for all before the start of the league year on Wednesday afternoon.

And if you’re at all confused at how free agent deals get done so quickly during this period, remember, they’re getting hammered out at the NFL Combine right now. This is the real legal tampering period, because I don’t see anybody complaining about the horse trading that’s getting done in Indianapolis right now. I guess we all just pretend not to see it.

The Packers have a load of work to do before they can even think about participating in free agency, for what it’s worth. They need to make decisions on Elgton Jenkins (likely cut) and Rashan Gary (should be cut), and those two moves alone could give them enough wiggle room to do a bit of spending. But things are getting more complicated by the moment, as the free agency picture begins to clarify as other teams fill out their wish lists.

The bonanza is bearing down on us, though, one way or another. Can the Packers be ready in time?

Packers face unexpected competition in center market after Drew Dalman retirement | Packers Wire

Depending on their willingness to spend, the Packers could have had their pick of centers. Now the Bears are in the market, too.

2026 NFL free agency: Projecting deals for QB Malik Willis | ESPN

Where will Malik Willis land?

NFL Free Agency Preview: Potential Targets for Packers | Sports Illustrated

If the Packers go shopping, where should they be looking to spend?

Fire at Lambeau Field causes evacuation, no injuries reported | Packers News

Unexpected offseason news, to be sure.

Florida coach Jon Sumrall’s photoshoot with a 7-foot alligator includes some tense moments | Associated Press

When your mascot is a gator, I guess your photo shoots have to be next level.

Read full story at Yahoo Sport →