Packers' Late Additions Bring Iowa Flavor to Green Bay's Super Bowl Push
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers made a flurry of roster moves just days before the season opener, and one of those moves has a distinctly Iowa connection that could pay off big for the NFC North contenders.
General manager Brian Gutekunst signed veteran tight end Jonnu Smith, traded for running back Kaleb Johnson and tight end Mark Redman, and released three players who weren't cutting it. The moves signal a win-now mentality for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Kaleb Johnson: From Iowa Star to Green Bay Opportunity
The most intriguing addition is Johnson, the former Iowa Hawkeyes All-American who was a third-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025. After a rookie season derailed by a botched kickoff return in Week 2, Pittsburgh gave up on him quickly.
But Johnson's college production was undeniable. In 2024 at Iowa, he dominated the Big Ten with his physical, tackle-breaking style. Now he's reuniting with the offensive system that made him a star.
Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester, who was an assistant coach for the Packers in 2023, installed Matt LaFleur's offense with the Hawkeyes in 2024. The connection is striking.
“The parts [of the playbook] that we do carry are pretty much verbatim, word for word,” Lester told Packers On SI. “Verbiage-wise, it's probably 98 percent Green Bay, and I would say the amount of playbook that we run of the Green Bay Packers' playbook is probably 60 to 70 percent.”
Johnson starred in Iowa's outside-zone scheme, and the Packers plan to run plenty of that this season. At 225 pounds, he brings the kind of physical presence that fits perfectly.
“It's like the same thing that coach Tim Lester did at Iowa. It's literally like the same thing,” Johnson said. “At the end of the day, I'm just glad to be here and I'm just ready to work.”
The opportunity is real. With Josh Jacobs out indefinitely and no proven back behind him, Johnson has a genuine chance to revive his career and deliver on the promise he showed in Iowa City.
Jonnu Smith: Veteran Playmaker With Something Left
Smith arrives after a down season in Pittsburgh, where he caught just 38 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns. His 5.8 yards per catch was the worst in NFL history for any tight end or receiver with 30-plus receptions.
But context matters. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers finished last in the NFL in average pass length, meaning Smith rarely had space to work. His track record suggests he has plenty left.
“I got a lot of football left in me, man,” Smith said Tuesday.
Over the last three seasons, Smith ranks sixth among 47 tight ends with at least 60 catches in yards after catch per reception. That run-after-catch ability could free up Tucker Kraft for more downfield opportunities, where he has been effective in limited chances.
“A plethora of things,” Smith said when asked what he'll bring. “For one, my experience in playing in the league going on Year 10. I've seen a lot of ball. And, obviously, the football part of it just adding another weapon to the tight end room, which already as talented as it is, obviously. So, I'm just excited, man, to be able to be a part of something special that they got brewing here.”
Mark Redman: The Dirty-Work Specialist
Redman fills the role vacated by John FitzPatrick, who tore his Achilles last season. The Packers traded a seventh-round pick for the undrafted tight end and even gave him FitzPatrick's old number, 86.
“I'm an in-line tight end that's going to block at the point of attack and stuff like that, and that's what I'm coming here to do,” Redman said. “Just kind of embracing that role, just get dirty, and finish some blocks and stuff like that.”
Are the Packers Improved Enough?
The moves are smart, but the competition is fierce. The Rams added Aaron Donald, Myles Garrett, Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie this offseason. The Packers signed Javon Hargrave, drafted Brandon Cisse, signed Benjamin St-Juste and will get back All-Pro Micah Parsons.
Sportsbooks still list the Packers with the 14th-shortest odds to win the Super Bowl, and they are 1.5-point underdogs for Week 1. But with Jordan Love, Kraft and Parsons healthy, anything is possible.
For Iowa fans, Johnson's emergence would be a great story. For Packers fans, these late additions could be exactly what the roster needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Packers do to improve their roster before Week 1?
The Packers signed tight end Jonnu Smith, traded for running back Kaleb Johnson and tight end Mark Redman, and released three players who were not performing well enough to keep their roster spots.
Why is Kaleb Johnson a good fit for the Packers?
Johnson ran in the same outside-zone scheme at Iowa that the Packers use. Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester installed Matt LaFleur's offense with the Hawkeyes, so Johnson already knows the system and its terminology.
Can the Packers compete for a Super Bowl this season?
The Packers have a talented roster with Jordan Love, Tucker Kraft and Micah Parsons, but they face stiff competition from the Rams and other NFC powers. Health and early-season performance will determine their ceiling.