The Green Bay Packers have made significant strides to bolster their defensive lineup by signing cornerback Nate Hobbs to a four-year deal worth $48 million, with $16 million guaranteed, as confirmed by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The move occurred on March 10, 2025, just hours after the Packers also secured former San Francisco 49ers guard Aaron Banks for four years at $77 million. Hobbs, who began his career with the Las Vegas Raiders as a fifth-round pick in the 2021 draft, brings versatility to the Packers' secondary, having played nearly 3,000 snaps over four seasons.
At just over 5-foot-11 and weighing 196 pounds, Hobbs's physical attributes combined with his athleticism are noteworthy. He clocked a 4.48-second 40-yard dash and showcased impressive leaping ability with a 40.5-inch vertical jump and over 11-foot broad jump at the 2021 NFL Combine. While he may not have the size typical of elite outside cornerbacks, his performance has shown he can excel under various circumstances.
Last season with Las Vegas, Hobbs started seven of the 11 games he played, totaling 49 tackles, five passes defended, and one interception. Despite suffering injuries—having missed 17 games over his four years—including six during the 2024 season, Hobbs has proven his value. His best statistical year came in 2023 when he logged 86 tackles, six of which were for loss, alongside seven passes defended and another interception.
The Packers' decision to sign Hobbs suggests they are preparing to part ways with their current standout cornerback, Jaire Alexander. Reports indicate Alexander may be traded or released, and Eric Stokes is also not expected to return. This transition marks an attempt to reshape the secondary, as Hobbs's presence will allow current cornerback Keisean Nixon to primarily play outside, where he prefers, rather than being used primarily in the slot.
Hobbs's positional flexibility is central to his appeal; throughout his time with the Raiders, he played more than 1,600 snaps in the slot versus almost 800 on the outside. This capability will give the Packers various options on how to handle their defensive schemes moving forward. During his career, he has allowed catches on 75.3% of the targets and garnered a passer rating of 102.1 when thrown at.
Further adding to Hobbs’s reputation, he was named to the Pro Football Focus all-rookie team following his inaugural campaign. The potential for his development at his new team under the Packers' defensive coaches could lead to significant contributions on the field.
Rich Bisaccia, who now serves as the special teams coordinator for the Packers, played a pivotal role during Hobbs’s rookie season, which might create additional synergy as Hobbs transitions to his new team. This connection could be significant as the Packers look to refine their defensive strategy.
With Hobbs now on board, the Packers' secondary looks to be improving. He has joined other former Raiders like Nixon and Josh Jacobs, integrating familiar faces to ease his transition and potentially create greater chemistry on the field.
The combination of Hobbs’s talent and his fit within the Packers' system provides promising prospects. Fans are hopeful he will be the key to enhancing the protection against rival quarterbacks and improving the defense overall. The Packers have made it clear these moves are aligned with their broader strategy of becoming contenders once again.
Overall, Nate Hobbs brings promise and versatility to the Green Bay Packers as they reconstruct their defensive lineup, aiming for success as they head toward the upcoming NFL season. With his skills and experience, the Packers appear to be building toward making significant noise this coming season, all hinged on strategic decisions made during the free-agent market.