March signals the start of free agency across the NFL. For everyone except the Green Bay Packers that is.
While the rest of the league traditionally dabbles in the free agent process by courting players from other teams, the Packers, under general manager Ted Thompson, have traditionally stood watch from the sidelines.
But with money to spend this year, the Packers may divert from their normal stance of being bystanders in the process.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Packers intend to be active participants in free agency this offseason.
Green Bay has nearly $30 million in cap space they could utilize on outside free agents. While the Packers will have decisions to make on defensive tackle B.J. Raji, nose tackle Ryan Pickett, tight end Jermichael Finley and center Evan Dietrich-Smith among others, the Packers will still likely have enough room to pursue other players outside their organization.
Considering Green Bay ranked 25th in total defense and 24th in points per game, the defensive side of the ball could be the area of focus for the Packers in free agency.