One year after signing future starters Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Adrian Amos and Billy Turner early in free agency, general manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers have played more of a spectator’s role this time around, with less cap space and fewer gaping holes on a team that came one win from a Super Bowl appearance.



While the Vikings shipped Stefon Diggs to the Bills for seemingly every pick in the 2020 draft, the Bears traded for their new starting quarterback in former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles and the Lions plucked player by player from the Patriots’ defense, the Packers signed only linebacker Christian Kirksey and right tackle Rick Wagner early Monday morning, then Wednesday night re-signed veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis.



Not exactly splash signings this year, but affordable, reliable ones, nonetheless.



Are the Packers better than they were last Sunday night? Who cares. It’s March 19. They don’t play a meaningful...