When the Packers selected top star in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, they aimed to address a glaring defensive issue exposed in the prior season’s NFC Championship game. In that matchup, Tom Brady threw three first-half touchdowns against Green Bay, effectively ending the Packers’ Super Bowl hopes.
With Jaire Alexander emerging as a star at one cornerback spot, the expectation was that he would solidify the other side. However, this plan has not gone as hoped. While Alexander has struggled with injuries in recent years, he has also faced persistent health issues, primarily involving his foot, ankle, and hamstring. Despite a promising rookie season, he has appeared in only 12 games over the past two seasons and, though playing 14 games this year, has not met the team’s expectations due to lingering injuries.
His performance metrics reflect his struggles. Pro Football Focus has given him a grade of 57.0, ranking him 85th out of 115 NFL cornerbacks. According to Pro-Football Reference, quarterbacks targeting Stokes have achieved a 103.5 passer rating, and he hasn’t recorded an interception or even a pass defensed since his rookie campaign. These numbers highlight the challenges Stokes has faced in becoming the reliable cornerback the Packers envisioned.
Packers Could Give Carrington Valentine More Snaps
The situation with Eric Stokes is turning out to be particularly grim for both the Packers and the player himself, especially with the timing. The team opted not to exercise the fifth-year option on Stokes’ rookie contract, meaning he will enter free agency this offseason.
According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, there’s no chance the Packers will re-sign Stokes. Addressing a fan question about why Carrington Valentine isn’t seeing more playing time over Stokes, Schneidman noted that Valentine is expected to be part of the team’s plans next season.
“The keg has been tapped clean on Stokes. You’re right,” Schneidman wrote. “That said, I don’t think Valentine is a stud just yet, and coaches aren’t going to prioritize future development over the present when the team is in the middle of a playoff push. For whatever reason, the staff doesn’t see a clear standout between the two. Stokes played fine against the Seahawks, in my opinion. While he won’t re-sign in free agency, the Packers currently lack experienced options with Alexander and Bullard both sidelined.”
With the Packers in playoff contention and limited at cornerback due to injuries, Stokes has continued to see the field. However, his future with the team appears all but over.
Eric Stokes Happy for Opportunity
Eric Stokes, still just 25 years old, has a chance to revive his career elsewhere despite the setbacks he’s faced. The potential he displayed before injuries derailed his trajectory will likely draw interest from other teams in free agency. As for the Packers, his likely departure creates a clear need to address cornerback depth, either through the 2025 draft or by pursuing free agents.
Despite the challenges, Stokes has maintained a positive attitude and is grateful to be back on the field this season after missing significant time in 2022 and 2023.
“It’s been good,” Stokes shared with Sports Illustrated. “I take the blessing with everything, just knowing that I missed basically a year-and-a-half. I missed a lot of time, so just being back out there with the guys, practicing every day, I take that tremendously because that’s the only thing that I can be blessed for.”
Reflecting on his journey, he added, “Every day that I can go out there, it’s like, ‘Yeah, OK, this is a blessing’ because I know how it feels to be on the sideline, be traveling every week, sitting on the sideline, watching everybody go out there and play. Now, it’s just put all the BS behind, and I’m just out there. I never take a play for granted.”
Stokes’ outlook and determination to make the most of his opportunities could help him find success with a new team in the near future.
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