The Green Bay Packers don’t typically sign unrestricted free agents older than 30. But SI on Packers’ Bill Huber argued the team should make an exception for defensive lineman Javon Hargrave this offseason.
Huber named the veteran defensive tackle one of the more realistic free agent targets for the Packers this offseason.
“Hargrave, 33, was 18th in PFF’s pass-rushing productivity,” Huber wrote. “Hargrave was with Gannon in Philadelphia in 2021 and 2022 and had a total of 18.5 sacks and 19 tackles for losses during those seasons.”
The Minnesota Vikings haven’t quite made it official yet. But ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday the team told Hargrave it would release him before March 11 if it couldn’t trade him.
Hargrave spent just one season with the Packers division rival. The Vikings will save $11 million with his release.
Could Packers Target Javon Hargrave in 2026 NFL Free Agency?
Huber identified a couple different veteran defensive linemen the Packers could target in 2026 NFL free agency. Any of them would break the rule the team usually keeps to not sign a free agent older than 30.
Hargrave could be the best fit because of his previous relationship with Packers new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
With Gannon as his Philadelphia Eagles DC, Hargrave became a force against the pass. In addition to 18.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss, Hargrave posted 123 combined tackles, three pass defenses and two forced fumbles.
In 2021, Hargrave made his first Pro Bowl. Then during 2022, Hargrave arguably experienced his best NFL season, registering a career-high 11 sacks.
Hargrave Appears to Take Shot at Vikings After Reported Release
Signing a division rival’s free agent is enough to flame any rivalry. But Hargrave is igniting a flame between himself and Minnesota all by himself.
In addition to Hargrave, the Vikings are set to part with defensive lineman Jonathan Allen in another cap saving move this offseason. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that news Wednesday.
In a quote tweet to that news Thursday morning, Hargrave took a dig at Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
“If you’re DL and wanna get to the QB, Brian Flores’ system is not for you,” wrote Hargrave on X.
Hargrave’s numbers suggest his spicy take could be true. Despite playing 16 games, he had just 3.5 sacks and six quarterback hits with the Vikings last season.
His 3.5 sacks during 2025 were his fewest in a full season since 2017. In his most recent season with 16 games played, Hargrave had seven sacks and 14 quarterback hits with the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite the low sack total, Hargrave still impressed the analytics crowd with his ability to create a pass rush. In 2025, the veteran defensive tackle earned a very good Pro Football Focus player grade in pass rush and tackling.
However, Hargrave struggled in run defense according to PFF.
That’s about on par with what he’s been throughout his career, at least lately.
Since joining the Eagles in 2020, Hargrave has been an elite interior defensive line pass rusher based on the PFF grades. During that same time, though, he’s been a subpar run defender.
Early in his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hargrave was better against the run. However, he wasn’t quite as good in the pass rush.
The Packers could use more of a pass rush, especially from players not named Micah Parsons. While he’s a bit of a liability in run defense at this point, Hargrave could give Green Bay a pass rush boost along the interior.
If Hargrave signed with the Packers after his Thursday tweet, the Green Bay-Minnesota 2026 matchups could be extra intriguing.
Packers Urged to Buck Trend to Target Recently Cut Rival Defender