Fans Divided Over Packers Signing Garnett Hollis Jr., Sparking Debate About Green Bay’s Depth and Desperation at Cornerback Position

In a move that caught many fans and analysts off guard, the Green Bay Packers have signed cornerback Garnett Hollis Jr., sparking an intense wave of mixed reactions across Packers Nation. The former Duke Blue Devil standout, who went undrafted in 2024, now finds himself at the heart of a conversation not just about roster depth, but about what the signing might mean for Green Bay’s defensive stability heading into the 2025 NFL season.

While some fans see the addition of Hollis Jr. as a potential hidden gem acquisition, others have labeled it a desperate move that reflects a growing concern about the Packers’ cornerback depth chart.

The Signing: Quiet But Noteworthy

The announcement was made quietly on social media early Monday morning. The Packers’ official X (formerly Twitter) account simply posted:

“Welcome to Titletown, Garnett Hollis Jr. #GoPackGo”

Within minutes, reactions began pouring in. Some praised the team’s front office for taking a low-risk flyer on a high-upside athlete. Hollis Jr., who stands 6’1″ and weighs 190 pounds, earned second-team All-ACC honors in his senior year at Duke and is known for his press-man coverage ability and natural ball instincts.

“I watched this kid at Duke — he can cover,” one fan posted. “Don’t sleep on Hollis. He might be the next Rasul Douglas-type breakout.”

But not everyone was so convinced.

“Are we really picking up undrafted rookies and expecting them to fix the secondary?” another user wrote. “This screams desperation.”

A Secondary in Flux

The timing of Hollis Jr.’s signing added fuel to speculation. Green Bay’s secondary has been riddled with question marks since the departure of veteran Adrian Amos, the ongoing rehab of Eric Stokes, and recent inconsistency from Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine. To many fans, this signing seemed like a response to growing internal concern about the unit’s overall readiness.

General Manager Brian Gutekunst addressed the move in a brief press conference Tuesday morning.

“We’ve had our eye on Garnett since the draft process,” Gutekunst said. “He’s got great length, he’s a competitor, and he fits our scheme. We see him as someone who can add value right away — on special teams and potentially more.”

Still, Gutekunst stopped short of guaranteeing Hollis Jr. a 53-man roster spot, noting that “he’s got to earn it like everyone else.”

Hollis Jr.’s Background: Underdog Mentality

Garnett Hollis Jr. has never been one to shy away from adversity. A native of Sugar Land, Texas, Hollis originally committed to Duke as a three-star recruit. Over four seasons, he carved out a reputation as a consistent performer, finishing his college career with 32 pass breakups and 7 interceptions. Scouts praised his awareness, footwork, and physicality, although concerns about top-end speed likely contributed to him being undrafted.

After a quiet showing at the NFL Combine, Hollis received mini-camp invitations from multiple teams, including the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons, but nothing materialized. Now, with Green Bay calling his number, Hollis appears ready to make the most of the opportunity.

In his first media session with Wisconsin reporters, Hollis Jr. was humble but confident.

“This is the kind of team I want to play for — tough, focused, and built on tradition,” he said. “I’m here to earn everything.”

Locker Room Reaction

Inside the Packers’ locker room, early impressions of Hollis have been positive. Star cornerback Jaire Alexander offered his perspective on the new addition.

“You can tell right away — Garnett’s a student of the game,” Alexander said. “He’s already asking the right questions, and he’s not afraid to line up and compete.”

Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley echoed similar praise.

“He’s got the traits you look for. Now we’ll see how he handles camp pressure, playbook installs, and live reps,” Hafley noted.

Fan Base Divided

Among the fan base, reactions remain sharply divided. Packers-themed forums and podcasts have lit up with spirited debate about whether the team did enough to shore up its secondary this offseason.

On the popular “Cheesehead Nation Podcast,” co-host Trevor Malloy called the move “a depth play, not a game-changer,” while his counterpart Lindsey Rausch was less forgiving.

“We let Rasul go, Stokes is barely practicing, and our best CB2 option is a day-three rookie from last year,” Rausch said. “Adding Hollis might be smart, but it highlights the failure to address this earlier.”

Some fans are comparing Hollis to past successful low-risk signings — such as Tramon Williams or Sam Shields — both of whom went undrafted and later became critical contributors for the Packers.

Others fear Hollis is more of a preseason body than a real solution.

“Let’s not act like this guy is Charles Woodson,” one Reddit commenter wrote. “If he makes the practice squad, that’s a win.”

What It Could Mean for the Roster

With training camp battles heating up, Hollis enters a crowded room. The cornerback competition includes Alexander, Valentine, Nixon, Corey Ballentine, and draft pick Kalen King. There are likely only five or six spots available on the 53-man roster for cornerbacks, meaning Hollis will need to make an immediate impression — likely on special teams first.

Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia said he’s “excited to see what Hollis brings to the return units and punt coverage.”

“He’s hungry, fast, and willing to tackle. That’s what we look for.”

Hollis also benefits from timing. With multiple defensive backs nursing minor injuries, he’ll get valuable second-team and possibly first-team reps in the early stages of camp.

Low Cost, High Upside?

From a cap standpoint, the Hollis signing is nearly risk-free. He’s signed to a league-minimum deal with no guaranteed money — meaning the Packers can cut him at any time with no dead cap hit.

That flexibility likely played a role in Gutekunst’s decision, especially as the Packers explore bigger investments elsewhere — including potential midseason trades or additional veteran free agents depending on injuries.

In the NFL, perception often overshadows practicality. And in this case, the narrative around the Packers’ secondary has amplified what might otherwise be considered a routine camp signing.

To some, Garnett Hollis Jr. represents the potential of unmined talent — a low-cost gamble on a player with real upside. To others, his arrival is an ominous sign that Green Bay’s front office didn’t adequately prepare for injuries or regression at one of the league’s most crucial defensive positions.

The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Hollis will have a shot to prove himself, and if he thrives, the Packers will look like geniuses. If he struggles or gets cut, the move will fade quietly into the preseason background.

But one thing is certain: the spotlight is now firmly on Green Bay’s cornerback room — and Garnett Hollis Jr. will have every chance to show that he belongs.