Former Packers Shines in Bengals Camp: A Costly Mistake for Green Bay?

The Green Bay Packers may soon be forced to reckon with a tough reality: sometimes, the players you let walk are the ones you miss the most. Just months after veteran defensive tackle T.J. Slaton signed a two-year, $14.1 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, he’s already turning heads at training camp—and making the Packers’ decision not to re-sign him look like a costly miscalculation.

Slaton, who played in all 68 games since being drafted by Green Bay in 2021 and started every game for the past two seasons, wasted no time making an impact in his new home. Reports from Bengals camp highlight his dominance in the trenches, and he’s already earned the respect of his new teammates—including quarterback Joe Burrow, who recently told the media, “Slaton’s going to be a great player for us.”

For the Packers, Slaton’s immediate success is a bitter pill to swallow. Green Bay let the 26-year-old defensive tackle leave in free agency, banking on Devonte Wyatt to step into a bigger role alongside Kenny Clark. While Wyatt has shown flashes as a pass rusher, there are still questions about whether he can replicate the consistency and run-stopping prowess that Slaton brought to the lineup.

Perhaps no one feels the loss more acutely than Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Speaking with reporters during the first week of training camp, Love reflected on Slaton’s departure:
“T.J. was one of those guys who brought energy to the locker room every single day. He didn’t always get the spotlight, but he was a huge part of our defense. I definitely miss having him around, both as a teammate and as a friend. I wish him nothing but success in Cincinnati, but yeah, it’s tough seeing him make plays in another jersey.”

For four seasons, Slaton was the model of durability and consistency for the Packers, not missing a single game and racking up 134 tackles, six for loss, and two sacks. His presence in the middle of the line anchored Green Bay’s run defense and allowed playmakers like Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary to thrive.

Now, as Slaton quickly becomes a fan favorite in Cincinnati, Packers Nation is left to wonder: Did Green Bay let a key piece of their defense slip away too soon?

Conclusion:
NFL free agency is a game of tough decisions, and the story of T.J. Slaton’s resurgence with the Bengals could become a cautionary tale for front offices everywhere. For the Packers, it’s a reminder that sometimes, the players you undervalue end up shining brightest—just not in your colors.