Packers Insider Believes Nate Hobbs Has Played His Final Snap in Green Bay

There’s no sugarcoating it — Nate Hobbs’ first season with the Green Bay Packers was a major disappointment.

When the veteran cornerback signed a four-year, $48 million contract last March, expectations were clear. Hobbs was supposed to stabilize a shaky secondary, bring physicality to the slot, and justify a sizable free-agent investment. Less than a year later, that vision has unraveled almost completely.

Now, just 11 months after arriving in Green Bay, Hobbs appears to be on the brink of an abrupt exit.

“That Signing Just Didn’t Work”

ESPN Packers reporter Rob Demovsky didn’t mince words when discussing Hobbs’ future during a recent appearance on ESPN Wisconsin. In fact, his assessment was blunt enough to turn heads across the fanbase.

“Let’s just start at cornerback,” Demovsky said. “Nate Hobbs is probably not going to be back. That signing just didn’t work out. He’s due a $6 million roster bonus in March, and there’s no way they can pay that.”

For a player once viewed as a solution, the idea of a one-and-done stint is jarring — but increasingly difficult to dispute.

From Fix to Liability

Hobbs was brought in to help address Green Bay’s long-standing issues in the secondary. Instead, his presence often highlighted them.

Injuries, inconsistency, and coverage breakdowns plagued his season, and his on-field performance never aligned with his contract value. While the Packers hoped Hobbs would elevate the unit, he struggled to keep pace with opposing receivers and became a frequent target for quarterbacks.

Across 11 appearances in what may end up being his only season in Green Bay, Hobbs recorded:

• 27 tackles (two for loss)

• Two pass deflections

• A 125.3 passer rating allowed in coverage

That passer rating against is particularly damning. The league average quarterback rating in 2025 sat at 91.4, meaning Hobbs allowed production well above average. Among 164 cornerbacks with at least 50 coverage snaps, he ranked 143rd — a near-bottom-tier result.

For a player earning starter-level money, those numbers are hard to justify.

The Contract Makes the Decision Easier

As drastic as cutting a major free-agent signing after one season sounds, the Packers quietly built flexibility into Hobbs’ contract.

The only fully guaranteed money was his $16 million signing bonus. That structure gives Green Bay a relatively clean escape route if they choose to move on.

By designating Hobbs as a post–June 1 cut, the Packers could:

• Create approximately $8.8 million in cap savings

• Absorb just $4 million in dead money

In a league where cap efficiency is everything, that math matters — especially for a team still shaping its long-term defensive identity.

Demovsky isn’t alone in his assessment either. Several Packers beat reporters have echoed the belief that Hobbs is unlikely to survive the offseason, suggesting this isn’t a hot take so much as a shared expectation inside league circles.

A Rapid Fall in Titletown

Life moves fast in the NFL, but Hobbs’ trajectory in Green Bay has been particularly unforgiving.

He entered the building as a high-profile free-agent addition. Less than a year later, he’s being discussed as a cap casualty — a player whose release would be more practical than controversial.

That reality speaks to both performance and timing. Green Bay is not in a position to carry underperforming contracts, especially at premium positions like cornerback. If the front office believes Hobbs’ best football is behind him — or simply doesn’t fit the scheme — cutting ties now is cleaner than waiting another year.

What Comes Next for the Packers?

If Hobbs is released, it would signal a clear philosophical shift.

The Packers would be admitting a mistake — but also demonstrating decisiveness. Rather than letting buyer’s remorse linger, they would be choosing flexibility, youth, and upside over sunk costs.

Cornerback would immediately become a priority:

• Draft investment

• Cheaper veteran depth

• Internal development

None of those options carry the financial risk Hobbs now represents.

A Tough Ending, But a Predictable One

From the outside, it’s easy to call a one-year exit drastic. Inside the league, it’s often viewed as pragmatic.

Hobbs didn’t meet expectations. The tape didn’t improve. The numbers didn’t justify patience. And the contract allows for a relatively painless reset.

If Demovsky and other insiders are correct, Nate Hobbs has already played his final snap in Green Bay — a reminder that in today’s NFL, reputation buys opportunity, but performance determines longevity.