Worst Free Agent Signings in Packers History
By Scott Rogust
The Green Bay Packers previously made a reputation of not spending money in free agency. That changed in 2019, and with great success, signing the likes of Za'Darius and Preston Smith.
Prior to that, the Packers have had some huge hits on the open market, but also had plenty of misses.
Here are some of the worst free agent signings in Packers franchise history.
3. TE Martellus Bennett
Back in 2017, the Green Bay Packers were in desperate need of a quality tight end. They thought they had their guy in Martellus Bennett, who was one of the better tight ends in the league at the time. Signing a three-year, $21 million deal, Bennett didn't even last a full season. After the team's bye week, Bennett returned with a shoulder injury, and just one game later, was released by the Packers for failing to disclose a medical condition. In his short tenure in Green Bay, Bennett had 24 catches and 233 yards to his credit. That's it.
2. TE Jimmy Graham
After the failed Martellus Bennett experiment, the Packers thought they had a sure thing replacement in Jimmy Graham. Granted, he never showed the same explosiveness as he did with the New Orleans Saints, but the Packers thought pairing him with Aaron Rodgers would do wonders. It hasn't. In his first two seasons with the Packers, Graham was on the field for every single game. However, he has a grand total of 93 catches for 1,083 yards, and five touchdowns in that span. Those numbers are undeserving of a $10 million annual salary, and he might not even make it to Year 3.
1. DE Joe Johnson
Joe Johnson was a force to be reckoned with during his seven seasons with the New Orleans Saints, evidenced by his 50.5 sacks. Wanting to add a disruptive force at the line of scrimmage, the Packers opened up their checkbook and signed Johnson to a six-year, $33 million deal. Well, Johnson was limited to six games in 2002 due to a ruptured quadriceps tendon, and featured in just five contests the following season before tearing his left triceps. In those 11 games, Johnson notched just 2.5 sacks, resulting in the team parting ways with him.