When the Packers selected Eric Stokes in the first round of the 2021 draft from Georgia, they believed they were addressing a problem that was exposed in the previous season’s NFC Championship game. In that game, Tom Brady threw three touchdowns on the Green Bay defense in the first 32 minutes, effectively ending the Packers’ hopes of making a Super Bowl comeback. With Jaire Alexander quickly becoming a star in one cornerback position, Stokes was expected to complement him on the opposite side.
However, things haven’t gone as planned. While Alexander has dealt with his own injury issues, Stokes has been plagued by injuries over the past three years, primarily to his foot, ankle, and hamstrings, despite a strong rookie season. He has played just 12 games in the last two seasons, and although he has appeared in 14 games this year, it’s clear that injuries have prevented him from reaching the level the Packers expected.
Stokes currently holds a Pro Football Focus grade of 57.0, ranking 85th out of 115 cornerbacks in the league. He hasn’t recorded an interception or a pass defensed since his rookie year and has allowed a passer rating of 103.5 when targeted, according to Pro-Football Reference.
This situation is particularly problematic for the Packers, especially considering they declined to pick up Stokes’ fifth-year option, meaning he’ll become a free agent after this season. Team insider Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports that there’s no chance the Packers will re-sign him. In a recent mailbag, Schneidman was asked why Carrington Valentine hasn’t been given more playing time than Stokes, given that Valentine is expected to be with the team next season. Schneidman responded, saying that while Stokes is unlikely to return, Valentine isn’t yet a standout and coaches don’t want to prioritize preparing for the future when they’re in the middle of a playoff push. He also noted that Stokes had a solid performance against the Seahawks but pointed out that the Packers don’t have many experienced options, especially with Alexander and Bullard injured.
Stokes, now 25, remains optimistic despite the challenges. Given his potential before his injuries, there’s a good chance he’ll receive interest from other teams. With Stokes leaving, the Packers will need to address cornerback depth in either the draft or free agency in 2025.
Stokes himself is grateful for the opportunity to play this season, especially after missing so much time in 2022 and 2023. He expressed his appreciation for simply being back on the field and not taking any opportunity for granted. “Every day that I can go out there, it’s like, ‘Yeah, OK, this is a blessing,’” Stokes said. “I know how it feels to be on the sideline, watching everybody play. Now, it’s just put all the BS behind and I’m just out there.”
