Packers Add Veteran Corner Benjamin St-Juste in Free Agency
GREEN BAY, WI – The Green Bay Packers made a significant addition to their secondary on Tuesday, agreeing to terms with veteran cornerback Benjamin St-Juste. The deal, first reported by NFL Network, is a two-year contract worth $10 million.
St-Juste, a 28-year-vintage native of Montreal, Quebec, becomes the latest free agent acquisition for General Manager Brian Gutekunst as the Packers look to bolster their defensive depth. The move addresses a clear need for experienced cornerbacks, particularly those with size, entering the 2026 season.
Experienced Defensive Back Joins Packers Roster
The Canadian cornerback spent the 2025 season with the Los Angeles Chargers, appearing in 16 games, though primarily in a reserve role with just two starts. He recorded 37 total tackles, including 22 solo stops, deflected seven passes and intercepted one pass. Prior to his time in Los Angeles, St-Juste enjoyed his most productive season in 2023 with the Washington Commanders.
Whereas with Washington, St-Juste started all 16 games, defending 17 passes and forcing two fumbles. His performance in 2023 marked a career high and demonstrated his potential as a disruptive force in coverage. He was originally drafted by Washington in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and has played in a total of 70 career games, making 47 starts.
According to Pro Football Focus, St-Juste had a strong showing in 2023, despite his limited role with the Chargers last season. He allowed only 19 receptions on 40 targets for 205 yards, and quarterbacks posted a passer rating of just 60.9 when targeting him. This efficiency suggests he can be a valuable asset in both man and zone coverage.
Packers Address Need for Size and Depth at Cornerback
The Packers’ current cornerback group features Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and Nate Hobbs as potential starters. Javon Bullard is expected to handle duties in the slot. St-Juste, at 6-foot-3, brings a different dimension to the position – size – something the Packers have been seeking. Gutekunst acknowledged at the recent NFL Scouting Combine the importance of adding depth and size to the cornerback position, particularly given the physicality required in run support.
“Do we need wholesale changes? No,” Gutekunst said at the Combine. “I do think it’s an area where those guys can get hurt. They’re the smaller guys on the field. We ask a lot of those guys in run support. The depth there, for me, is important that we have answers.”
St-Juste’s versatility is also a plus, as he has experience playing both on the perimeter and in the slot, although the majority of his 3,273 defensive snaps have come as an outside corner. This flexibility will be valuable for defensive coordinator’s scheme, allowing him to deploy St-Juste in various roles depending on the opponent and game situation.
The signing of St-Juste is also financially sound for the Packers, as the $5 million per year average salary shouldn’t significantly impact their compensatory pick formula. The deal effectively offsets the departure of Kingsley Enagbare, who agreed to a $10 million deal with the Latest York Jets on Monday. The Packers are projected to receive a maximum of four compensatory picks through the departures of Malik Willis, Rasheed Walker, Quay Walker, and Romeo Doubs.
St-Juste’s Special Teams Contributions
Beyond his role on defense, St-Juste also brings value on special teams. He played a career-high 308 snaps on special teams for the Chargers last season, demonstrating his willingness to contribute in all phases of the game. This versatility could provide the Packers with another valuable contributor on special teams units.
The Packers will begin their offseason workouts in April, providing St-Juste with an opportunity to integrate into the team’s defensive system and compete for playing time. The addition of St-Juste provides the Packers with a seasoned veteran who can contribute both on defense and special teams, addressing a key need as they prepare for the 2026 season.
The Packers’ next key date is the NFL Draft, scheduled for April 25-27 in Detroit, Michigan. The team will look to add further depth and talent to their roster through the draft, building on the foundation established during free agency.
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