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

Bengals snag TJ Slaton from Packers, per report - Cincy Jungle

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.

Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side