The Green Bay Packers may be preparing to part ways with Eric Stokes, their 2021 first-round draft pick out of Georgia. Stokes was selected to address defensive weaknesses exposed during the previous season’s NFC Championship game, where Tom Brady’s three early touchdowns ended the Packers’ Super Bowl hopes. The hope was that Stokes would complement rising star Jaire Alexander at cornerback, creating a formidable duo.
However, Stokes’ tenure has been marred by injuries. Despite a promising rookie season, he has dealt with recurring foot, ankle, and hamstring issues, limiting him to just 12 games over the past two seasons.
Although he has played 14 games this year, his performance has not met expectations. Pro Football Focus graded him at 57.0, ranking 85th out of 115 NFL cornerbacks. Stokes hasn’t recorded an interception or a pass defensed since his rookie year, and opposing quarterbacks have achieved a 103.5 passer rating when targeting him, according to Pro-Football Reference.
Adding to his challenges, the Packers declined to pick up Stokes’ fifth-year option, making him a free agent this offseason. According to team insider Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, it is unlikely the Packers will re-sign him. Schneidman noted that while Stokes has not been a standout, the coaching staff has been hesitant to fully transition to rookie Carrington Valentine, given the team’s playoff aspirations and lack of experienced alternatives with Alexander and Keisean Nixon sidelined.
Despite these setbacks, Stokes remains positive. Reflecting on his difficult 2022 and 2023 seasons, he expressed gratitude for simply being able to play again. “It’s a blessing just being back out there,” Stokes shared via SI.com. “I missed a lot of time, so every day I can practice and play, I’m grateful. I know what it’s like to be sidelined, and I don’t take a single play for granted.”
At just 25 years old, Stokes’ potential could earn him opportunities with another team. Meanwhile, the Packers will need to bolster their cornerback depth, likely through the 2025 draft or free agency, as they move forward without him.