Green Bay Packers Sign Defensive Tackle Javon Hargrave.

The Green Bay Packers signed veteran defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to a two-year contract worth $23 million, a move that provides additional depth along the defensive line. The signing occurred shortly after Hargrave was released by the Minnesota Vikings and shortly after Green Bay traded Colby Wooden for linebacker Zaire Franklin. Although Hargrave is 33 years old, he continues to contribute as a pass rusher on the interior defensive line. During the 2025 season with Minnesota, Hargrave recorded 3.5 sacks in 16 games. Despite the relatively modest sack total, advanced metrics indicate he remained productive as a pass rusher. His pass rush win rate ranked in the 88th percentile among defensive tackles, although he faced fewer double teams than average. His run stop win rate ranked lower, placing in the 22nd percentile among interior linemen. The 2025 season represented a rebound for Hargrave after a partially torn triceps limited him to only three games with the San Francisco 49ers in 2024. Hargrave’s versatility is also valuable for Green Bay’s defensive scheme. He can line up either as a three-technique defensive tackle or as a nose tackle. His arrival also reunites him with Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who previously coached Hargrave in Philadelphia during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. During those two years, Hargrave recorded a combined 18.5 sacks and posted a pass rush win rate in the 96th percentile, highlighting his effectiveness in Gannon’s defensive system.

While the full structure of the contract has not yet been publicly disclosed, it is believed that approximately $13 million in the first year is guaranteed. Although this amount may appear high for a player in his early thirties, the current free agent market for defensive tackles has been limited. As a result, teams in need of interior defensive line help, including the Packers, have had to offer higher contracts to secure experienced players.