Former Packers Available in 2018 NFL Free Agency
New general manager Brian Gutekunst will put his fingerprints on the 2018 Packers roster over the upcoming months. Along with his staff in the front office, Gutekunst will use both the draft and free agency to acquire players.
Last season, we covered a number of former Packers who were looking for work before training camp. Now, here are free agents who have spent some time with Green Bay throughout their career.
Former fan favorites
RB Eddie Lacy, 27 years old
- 2017 team: Seattle Seahawks
- 2017 stats: 9 games (3 starts), 69 carries, 179 yards, 0 TDs (2.6 yards per carry), 6 receptions, 47 yards, 0 TDs (7.8 yards per reception)
FB John Kuhn, 35 years old
- 2017 team: New Orleans Saints
- 2017 stats: 2 games (1 start), 1 carry, 2 yards, 0 TDs
DE Julius Peppers, 38 years old
- 2017 team: Carolina Panthers
- 2017 stats: 16 games (5 starts), 33 tackles, 11 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
CB Tramon Williams, 34 years old
- 2017 team: Arizona Cardinals
- 2017 stats: 13 games (9 starts), 39 tackles, 2 interceptions, 12 passes defended
QB Scott Tolzien, 30 years old
- 2017 team: Indianapolis Colts
- 2017 stats: 1 game (1 start), 9-18, 128 yards, 2 interceptions, 33.8 passer rating
Both Lacy and Peppers left Green Bay on one-year deals with vastly different outcomes. Lacy’s much-discussed weight was in check, but the running back did little for the Seahawks. At times in 2017, Lacy was healthy but kept off the game day active roster by head coach Pete Carroll. Peppers continued to best Father Time, notching 11 sacks as a 37-year-old defensive end.
Tolzien entered the 2017 season as the first quarterback to start for the Colts in place of the injured Andrew Luck. It did not go well, and Tolzien spent the remainder of the season as a backup.
Despite long odds, Tramon Williams entered a crowded cornerbacks room in Arizona during training camp and made the roster. He would even record a pair of interceptions for the Cardinals, too.
Former offensive linemen
C Evan Smith, 31 years old
- 2017 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 2017 stats: 15 games (6 starts)
RT Breno Giacomini, 32 years old
- 2017 team: Houston Texans
- 2017 stats: 16 games (16 starts)
RT Allen Barbre, 33 years old
- 2017 team: Denver Broncos
- 2017 stats: 16 games (4 starts)
RT Don Barclay, 28 years old
- 2017 team: Detroit Lions
- 2017 stats: 3 games (1 start)
The Packers signed Barclay to a one-year deal this past offseason, but was placed on injured reserve during the preseason with an ankle injury. Once the team brought back tackle Jason Spriggs from injured reserve, Green Bay opted to release Barclay mid-season after he healed. The tackle wound up with the Lions, where he joined former teammate T.J. Lang on the offensive line.
Smith, who went by Evan Dietrich-Smith during his tenure with the Packers, is at the end of a $14 million contract he signed in 2014 with the Buccaneers. He began his career in Green Bay as an undrafted free agent in 2009, and won the starting center job in 2012.
Both Giacomini and Barbre were draft picks in the mid-2000s under Ted Thompson and have found successful careers outside of Green Bay.
Former defensive pieces
OLB Erik Walden, 32 years old
- 2017 team: Tennessee Titans
- 2017 stats: 16 games (2 starts), 36 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
LB Jordan Tripp, 26 years old
- 2017 team: Atlanta Falcons
- 2017 stats: 3 games (0 starts), 0 tackles
OLB Lerentee McCray, 27 years old
- 2017 team: Jacksonville Jaguars
- 2017 stats: 13 games (0 starts), 3 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 pass defended
DE Mike Pennel, 26 years old
- 2017 team: New York Jets
- 2017 stats: 16 games (3 starts), 35 tackles
DT Ricky Jean Francois, 31 years old
- 2017 team: New England Patriots
- 2017 stats: 6 games (1 start), 10 tackles
This past offseason, Walden earned his second contract after his tenure with the Packers from 2010 to 2012. He served as a reserve pass rusher on the Titans this season.
The Packers have an additional seventh round selection at their disposal this year as compensation for a 2016 trade with Buffalo for OLB Lerentee McCray.
Ricky Jean Francois will play in the Super Bowl for the Patriots after two short stints with Green Bay this season.