The Green Bay Packers said goodbye to wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who inked a lucrative deal with the New England Patriots on the second day of free agency Tuesday, but the NFL sent something of a kickback Green Bay’s way in return.
The Packers received a compensatory pick after Doubs left for $70 million across four years from the reigning AFC champs, according to salary cap analyst Nick Korte.
“Signing Romeo Doubs takes the Patriots off the 2027 compensatory picks board and adds a 4th-rounder to the Packers at $17.5M APY,” Korte wrote.
That return is a nice bonus for the Packers considering Doubs was never likely to come back to Green Bay. He’d had confrontations with the coaching staff before over his usage, with the team suspending him for one game late in the 2024 season due to his behavior.
A fourth-round pick himself in 2022, Doubs has never eclipsed 60 catches or 800 receiving yards in any of his four NFL campaigns. However, he has caught 21 touchdown passes in 59 games played.
The league at large clearly viewed Doubs as a legitimate No. 2 receiver, as the Washington Commanders were also in on the wideout with a strong offer, though he ultimately chose to play with quarterback Drake Maye in New England, the MVP runner-up heading into his third professional campaign.
Packers Lost 2 Key Offensive Players in First 2 Days of Free Agency
GettyQuarterback Malik Willis of the Green Bay Packers.
Green Bay’s offense remains in a good place, even despite the departure of Doubs and backup quarterback Malik Willis, who signed a three-year deal worth $67.5 million with the Miami Dolphins on Monday.
Miami has become, or at least is apparently trying to become, the Packers of the AFC after hiring long-time Green Bay front office figure Jon-Eric Sullivan this offseason to run the team as its new GM. Sullivan then inked Jeff Hafley, the Packers’ defensive coordinator of the past two years, to serve as the new head coach.
Sullivan and Hafley have since teamed up to bring in Willis after releasing Tua Tagovailoa, to whom Miami will pay nearly $100 million to play elsewhere over the next two years.
Packers Have Plenty of Talent, Depth at WR Position After Romeo Doubs’ Departure
GettyGreen Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson.
All of that leaves starting quarterback Jordan Love with a receiver corps currently led by the trio of Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden.
Tight end Tucker Kraft, who was barreling his way toward Pro-Bowl honors and All-Pro consideration before an ACL tear in early November, will also be back healthy and a central focus of the pass game in 2026.
Green Bay also has depth at the receiver position, with Dontayvion Wicks and Bo Melton serving as reserves, so the Packers don’t have to prioritize any additions to the group in free agency or the draft, which takes place in late April.
The far greater concern in Green Bay is the defensive line. The Packers need to add more talent and depth across the tackle positions to maximize their acquisition of pass-rusher Micah Parsons last summer, which cost the team two first-round picks, DT Kenny Clark and $186 million in future salary.
Packers Get Good News After Romeo Doubs Signs With Patriots