Seahawks $16 million defender named priority for Packers in NFL free agency

Like many teams around the NFL, the Green Bay Packers should be in the market for help along the edge this offseason.

But the Packers might end up having a more dire need than most teams. After all, Rashan Gary is a cut candidate and Micah Parsons might not be ready for the start of the season after suffering a torn ACL in December.

If Gary is cut, the Packers will need a significant move at the position. However, if Gary stays, a complementary addition would suffice.

With that in mind, CBS Sports' Jared Dubin named Seattle Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe as a priority for the Packers in free agency.

"The Packers are another team that could use a supplementary pass rusher, especially with Micah Parsons coming off his torn ACL," Dubin said. "Jonathan Gannon could possibly help tap back into what made Mafe a nine- and six-sack player in 2023 and 2024 before he slipped into more of a rotational role this year and saw his production dip."

Mafe is coming off a disappointing season in 2025. He saw his play time decrease for the second-straight season and tallied just two sacks in 17 games.

However, in the two years before that, Mafe posted 15 sacks in 31 games, including a career-high nine in 16 contests in 2023, so we know he's capable of more.

Mafe is a perfect buy-low option, which makes him an ideal fit for a Packers team that enters the offseason $1.4 million over the salary cap.

Spotrac projects Mafe will garner a two-year, $16 million contract in free agency, but we think he'll fall short of that projection and will instead sign a cheaper, one-year "prove-it" kind of deal to try and set himself up for 2027.

If that turns out to be the case, he'll be in play for Green Bay.

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