Eric Stokes Has Been Standout for Packers this Offseason

The 2024 season is a big one for Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes. The team declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, meaning he will hit free agency in 2025.

Eric Stokes was an excellent rookie, a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Georgia. It looked as if the Packers had found a long-term building block to play alongside Jaire Alexander in their secondary.

Alas, that rookie year production has yet to be replicated. Injuries have derailed Eric Stokes the last two seasons, dealing with several different ailments.

In 2022, his season ended after nine games because of foot and knee injuries. Last season, he came into the year dealing with a hamstring issue.

He returned to the field and injured it again. After attempting one more comeback, he re-injured the same hamstring and his season was over.

Motivated to perform this season, Eric Stokes has been stellar during the offseason program. Head coach Matt LaFleur has commented on how healthy he has looked, showcasing the skills he showcased as a rookie.

Rob Demovsky of ESPN recently wrote about how well Eric Stokes has looked. In his opinion, he has been the Packers’ biggest surprise during the offseason program.

“After playing just 12 games over the past two seasons, it would be easy to write off the 2021 first-round pick as an injury bust who will never work his way back into the lineup. But after battling knee, foot and hamstring issues, he made it through the entire offseason program and is poised to win a starting job back.

“I just say this is my story and I’m embracing it,” Stokes said. “I’m embracing the full story. I ain’t going to feel sorry for myself. At the end of the day, I’m blessed. I’m one of the people in this locker room. … I’m definitely blessed just to have a story.” – Rob Demovsky.

This is a make-or-break campaign for Eric Stokes. He will have the opportunity to prove to the Packers that he is worth committing to long-term if he can play well in 2024.

His emergence would do wonders for new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Cornerback is an area of concern, but Eric Stokes staying healthy and recapturing his rookie season form would elevate this unit to another level.

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