The Green Bay Packers made their first move in free agency by signing cornerback Benjamin St-Juste to a two-year, $10 million contract. This addition to their cornerback room raises questions about the future of Nate Hobbs, who was given a four-year, $48 million deal just last year.
New Addition Suggests Nate Hobbs Might Be on the Way Out
Reports from ESPN’s Rob Demovsky indicate there are growing concerns that Hobbs’ time with Green Bay could be ending. The acquisition of St-Juste supports this speculation, as it adds competition to the cornerback lineup in a way that could squeeze Hobbs out.
Keisean Nixon appears set to remain with the Packers, while Carrington Valentine offers reliable depth as a backup. With St-Juste joining the roster, the team gains another strong option on the outside, which limits opportunities for Hobbs moving forward.
Potential for Additional Cornerbacks and Roster Shifts
The Packers still have considerable salary cap space and might pursue more cornerbacks during free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft. Players like Riq Woolen and Greg Newsome II remain available, keeping the door open for Green Bay to further bolster this position group.
Benjamin St-Juste’s Recent Performance and Role Expectations
St-Juste rebounded well last year with the Los Angeles Chargers, earning the 11th-highest grade among cornerbacks from Pro Football Focus while playing a limited role on a one-year prove-it contract. Although he did not start every game and participated in about one-third of the defensive snaps, his performance marked a clear turnaround following inconsistencies during his time with the Washington Commanders.
How St-Juste fits into the Packers’ depth chart remains uncertain, but his arrival could hasten decisions regarding Hobbs, especially if general manager Brian Gutekunst adds further talent to the secondary.
Nate Hobbs’ Struggles and Positional Challenges
Hobbs faced several challenges last season, including missing six games due to injuries and inconsistent play when on the field. The Packers tried him at outside cornerback but saw disappointing results. His most effective work came in the slot, although Pro Football Reference data shows he allowed a passer rating of 111.1 in coverage.
Though the team expected Hobbs to provide versatile coverage inside and outside, his performance largely cemented him as a slot specialist. This role is now essentially filled by Javon Bullard, further reducing Hobbs’ role.
Implications of the Roster Changes Moving Forward
Given these developments and the Packers’ clear interest in strengthening their cornerback group, it appears likely that Hobbs’ tenure with the team is nearing its end. St-Juste’s signing looks like a deliberate step toward reshaping the secondary, with more moves possible that could impact Hobbs’ future in Green Bay.
“time with the Packers could be coming to an end.”
?Rob Demovsky, NFL Insider
So Banks, one of last year’s free agent signings, stays with the Packers.
We’ll see about the other one, Nate Hobbs, but there’s been rumblings that his time with the Packers could be coming to an end. https://t.co/Y4iytFfL8x
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) March 8, 2026
