With linebacker a big need for the Packers, PFF’s Brad Spielberger named Green Bay as a potential landing spot for free agent Drue Tranquill.
“New Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley plans to bring an attacking 4-3 base defense,” wrote Spielberger, “which could make Tranquill a great fit after he excelled on Steve Spagnuolo’s Chiefs unit, extremely efficient as a blitzer and ever-reliable in coverage.”
Tranquill spent the 2023 season with the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs after playing his first four NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.
As Spielberger mentions, Tranquill excelled as a blitzer and in coverage. Over the last two seasons, Tranquill posted 37 pressures, including 22 with the blitz-heavy chiefs, and 10 sacks. Among all linebackers in 2023, Tranquill’s 22 pressures ranked as the seventh-most while he also ranked fifth in pass-rush productivity.
In coverage during that same two year span, Tranquil held pass catchers to just 8.9 yards per catch with two interceptions and three pass breakups. This past year, in particular, he was a very efficient tackler, missing only eight of his 98 attempts, while ranking 12th in stops—or a tackle that constitutes a “failure” for the offense, as PFF describes it.
With Tranquill’s ability as a blitzer and in coverage, he would be an ideal weak-side linebacker in Jeff Hafley’s 4-3 defense. Quay Walker could also be a good fit for that role, or as the do-it-all middle linebacker.
When it comes to Walker, Hafley doesn’t want to pigeonhole him into one specific role. Instead, Hafley’s ultimate goal is to put Walker in consistent positions to make plays, regardless of where that would be.
“Quay’s a talented player,” said Hafley at his introductory press conference. “As we build this thing, we’re going to make sure he’s in position to make a lot of plays. So whatever we feel, as we piece this together, where that is, that’s where we’ll put him.”
The addition of a player like Tranquill would provide Hafley with that flexibility to move Walker around because as the roster is currently constructed at the linebacker position, Walker is really the only one who could man those weak-side responsibilities.
Through contract restructures and veteran cuts, the Packers do have the ability to really create whatever cap space they need to be active in free agency. Of course, the downside to too many restructures is that they push cap charges to future seasons, reducing salary cap flexibility at that time.
“I think it just depends on the player,” said Gutekunst on spending in free agency. “It depends on who that is and how he can impact our football team. I don’t think we’ll shy away from adding impact players if we have to push things down the road. We’d prefer not to do that, but at the same time, this is about winning and trying to win a championship, so if that’s something that makes sense, we’ll do it.”
However, with Tranquill, it’s not as if he is going to break the bank. PFF projects that he will land a two-year deal worth $6.75 million, including $3.75 million guaranteed.
Linebacker is probably one of those positions that the Packers will address in both free agency and in the draft at some point. Isaiah McDuffie is in the final season of his rookie contract, while De’Vondre Campbell is a potential cut candidate.
