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The Green Bay Packers were relatively quiet in NFL free agency this offseason, with general manager Brian Gutekunst looking to preserve compensatory selections in the 2027 NFL Draft. Now that that is no longer a factor, the team is being linked to a potential role player who is still available.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen reports the Packers are the best fit for free-agent edge rusher AJ Epenesa.

“The Packers lost rotational edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare to the Jets in free agency, so the team could add his replacement in Epenesa. He’s a long, powerful mover who can break the edge with his 6-foot-6, 260-pound frame. He can also make disruptive plays under new coordinator Jonathan Gannon, as he recorded 24.5 sacks and four interceptions in six seasons with the Bills. Are.”

Matt Burrows on AJ Epense as fit for Green Bay Packers

RELATED: Contract extensions planned for 4 Green Bay Packers players

Once the 2026 NFL Draft concludes, free-agent signings have no impact on the compensation formula for the 2027 NFL Draft. That’s why Green Bay wasted little time in signing veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

There are still obvious areas for improvement on the Packers’ roster. Green Bay could use an in-line blocking tight end to pair with Tucker Craft, depth at running back is an issue due to Marshon Lloyd’s durability issues, and depth at nose tackle is still needed.

Connected: Green Bay Packers players who may be out in 2026

6-foot-6 edge rusher Epenesa has been a rotational player for most of his career. Last season, he played 438 snaps for the Buffalo Bills, and he played less than 50 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in five of his six seasons in the NFL.

In 2025, Epenesa recorded 12 pressures, 9 quarterback hits and 17 solo tackles with 4 pass deflections, 2.5 sacks and 2 interceptions in 16 games. Epenesa, who turns 28 in September, earned a 48.6 PFF run-blocking grade along with a 63.5 pass-rushing grade in 2025.

RELATED: Green Bay Packers who could be on the roster bubble in 2026

With All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons likely to miss the first four games of the season recovering from ACL surgery, pass-rushing depth is essential. Signing Epenesa would allow Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon to rotate him with Carl Brooks, Lucas Van Ness, Brenton Cox Jr. and Barry Sorrell.

Realistically, any veteran Green Bay signs in NFL free agency at this point will be landing a one-year contract. Beyond Epenesa, there are also options like Derek Barnett, Dante Fowler Jr., Brandon Graham, and Haason Redick.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Green Bay Packers have always felt like they are capable of competing for a playoff spot. Considering they have missed a playoff berth in six of Matt LaFleur’s seven seasons as head coach, the Packers are right to feel this way.

Yet, for whatever reason, the Packers were never able to overcome adversity and compete for the Super Bowl. The last time the Lombardi Trophy came was in 2010, when Mike McCarthy led the franchise to its fourth Super Bowl victory.

Is this the year that changes? To do that, the Packers will have to be nearly perfect, which will require contributions from all 53 players on the roster and then some.

While the Packers may already have a playoff roster, Sports IllustratedEva Geitheim recently made her case for why Green Bay should still add an impact rotational edge rusher in free agency. His advice for the Packers is to target a pair of former Pro Bowl pass rushers, Jadeveon Clowney or Joey Bosa.

Even though he is reportedly further along in his recovery process, Parsons is working to recover from a major injury. Making some contingency plans is never a bad idea, especially for a top contender who has often been bitten badly by the injury bug.

Clowney turned 33 in February, but the former No. 1 overall pick has still been productive. Last season, he recorded 8.5 sacks with the Cowboys. The 30-year-old Bosa is a five-time Pro Bowler who has recorded at least five sacks in each of the last three seasons. Both will provide Green Bay with more pass-rushing juice.

RELATED: 4 Green Bay Packers players who could breakout in 2026

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The Green Bay Packers signed wide receiver Jaden Reed to a three-year contract extension in April, ensuring that another key part of their offense will be around for years to come. With summer practice approaching, we may see contract extensions for some other Packers players.

Let’s take a look at what contract extensions could look like for Tucker Craft, Lucas Van Ness, Devonte Wyatt and Christian Watson.

tucker craft

If Tucker Craft doesn’t suffer an ACL injury in Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers, there’s a good chance he could have received some second-team All-Pro votes in 2025. Green Bay’s standout tight end totaled 489 receiving yards with 6 touchdowns in eight games. Among tight ends with more than 40 targets, he led his teammates in yards per reception (15.3) and yards per route run (2.56). Although there is some additional risk to Kraft due to his torn ACL, it makes sense to sign him to a long-term deal now rather than waiting until his contract expires. Given that Kyle Pitts recently signed the franchise tag at $15.045 million, the cost of an extension would likely be high. We think a four-year deal that makes Kraft one of the three highest-paid tight ends in the NFL can be accomplished, with Green Bay working in bonus structures depending on Kraft’s health.

• Prediction: 4 years, $68 million ($17 million AAV) and $40 million total guaranteed

Connected: Green Bay Packers players who may be out in 2026

devonte wyatt

Selected by Green Bay with the 28th overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt has taken some time to really establish himself. He was on pace to record more than five sacks in a season for the third consecutive year before suffering a fibula and torn ligaments in his ankle. Assuming he makes a full recovery, Green Bay will have an interior pass-rushing specialist who is still a bargain at his fifth-year option salary of $13.922 million. The rate of pass-rushing interior tackles has increased in recent years, demonstrated by the fact that 13 defensive tackles now have deals worth more than $20 million per season. Realistically, should Wyatt beat out the Javon Kinlow deal ($45 million over three years) by a wide margin, Zack Siler ($21.333 million AAV) could potentially be a high-end target for a deal.

• Prediction: 3 years, $62 million ($20.6 million AAV)

RELATED: Green Bay Packers who could be on the roster bubble in 2026

Christian Watson

It’s fair to say the Packers wish they had signed Christian Watson to a contract extension before Alec Pierce re-signed with the Indianapolis Colts. Watson has durability issues working against him, but he has also put up 1,231 receiving yards in his last 25 games over the past two seasons and averaged 19.2 yards per reception. He is entering a contract year and the fact that Green Bay did not use any draft capital on a receiver suggests that Brian Gutekunst has long-term plans for Watson in Matt LaFleur’s offense. We believe a deal could be reached this summer, but it would cost much more than some estimates.

• Prediction: 3 years, $85.5 million, with $65 million total guaranteed

READ MORE: 2026 NFL Power Rankings, see where the Packers land

lucas van ness

Lucas Van Ness hasn’t exactly lived up to the expectations the Packers front office had for him when he was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. In 43 career games, he has only managed 34 pressures, 23 QB hits, 17 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. However, Green Bay exercised its option for the 2027 season with $13.8 million fully guaranteed. It certainly shows that the coaching staff still has a lot of confidence in him, especially after new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon took over. We think something similar could be done with Jordan Love in 2023, when he was signed to a one-year extension.

• Prediction: 1-year, $15 million extension

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Green Bay Packers have one of the best rosters in the NFL and will once again be one of the youngest teams in 2026. With that comes the opportunity for a breakout season, like we saw from Tucker Craft last year.

Let’s take a look at four players on the Packers’ roster who could have breakthrough seasons in 2026.

Jordan Morgan, left tackle

Taken by the Packers with the 25th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Jordan Morgan hasn’t been much of a standout in his first two seasons. The 6-foot-5 offensive lineman played only 186 offensive snaps in his rookie season, and was rated as a below-average player in 749 snaps last season.

The real problem appears to be that the team moved him around a lot, deploying him at both left (51 snaps) and right tackle (148) and right (358) and left guard (191). This never really allowed him to settle into one spot and focus on playing, which he finally got a chance to do this offseason. Projected to be the starter at left tackle, we think Morgan can be as effective as Rasheed Walker was for Green Bay.

RELATED: Green Bay Packers who could be on the roster bubble in 2026

Trey Smack, Kicker

The Packers’ draft class in 2026 doesn’t include anyone other than Trey Smacks, who is trusted to play the lion’s share of snaps from the jump. So, this really leaves Smack as the only newbie who can prove himself to be a fans’ favorite by the end of the season.

For one thing, it says a lot about a kicker prospect when general manager Brian Gutekunst is willing to trade multiple Round 7 picks to nab him. It’s also a testament to what Smack showed in his first practice at rookie camp that Green Bay released Brandon McManus just months after giving him a $1 million roster bonus. We echo what Matt Stover said about Smack, and we think the big impact is immediate.

READ MORE: 2026 NFL Power Rankings, see where the Packers land

Matthew Golden, wide receiver

Matthew Golden not seeing much on the field in his rookie season was interpreted by some as an indictment on the young pass-catcher. In reality, it speaks to the Packers’ depth at wide receiver and how the team has slowly brought in offensive weapons. Now heading into his sophomore season, we are expecting a big leap from Golden in 2026.

Consider his performance in the Wild Card round – 84 receiving yards and a touchdown on four receptions – as a glimpse of what he’s capable of. He’s demonstrated in limited snaps that he can get open (2.07 target separation, 9th in the NFL), and he’s naturally explosive. While Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft are still the primary options for Jordan Love, we think it’s possible for Golden to have over 700 receiving yards and 5-7 touchdowns.

Evan Williams, Security

Evan Williams is already a key piece in the Packers’ defense, and complements 24-year-old All-Pro safety Xavier McKinney nicely. We’re going to see Williams take the next step forward in his career this fall, possibly even earning his first Pro Bowl selection. Already strong against the run, Williams could set career highs in interceptions, tackles for loss and pass deflections in 2026.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for SportsKnow. His work including weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Green Bay Packers will enter the 2026 NFL season with a roster that, when healthy, will have everyone in the organization capable of making the Super Bowl. However, some of the Packers’ offseason moves could also mean that some recognizable names will not be on the roster in Week 1.

Let’s take a look at the list of four players who will not be on the Packers’ roster at the start of the season.

Luke Musgrave, tight end

A few years ago, it looked as if Luke Musgraves would be the Packers’ TE1 for the upcoming season. Instead, it’s Tucker Craft who looks like an All-Pro talent. Musgrave’s status in Green Bay became so questionable that he came up in NFL trade rumors during the season. Then, Kraft and John Fitzpatrick suffered season-ending injuries. Kraft will return for training camp, and Josh Whately is behind him. It would not be a surprise at all if general manager Brian Gutekunst attempted to move Musgraves to a blocking tight end.

Brandon McManus, kicker

It says a lot if the Packers are willing to trade up multiple draft picks to land a kicker moving up in Round 6. Brandon McManus received a $1 million roster bonus this offseason, but his injuries last season and his miss in the wild-card round put him on the hot seat. If rookie Trey Smack can take advantage of his immense power and demonstrate relatively consistent accuracy on his kicks in training camp, McManus could certainly be a part of the final 53-man roster cutdown.

Christian Welch, linebacker

Green Bay certainly has a lot more depth at linebacker than in years past. Unfortunately for former UDFA Christian Welch, the Wisconsin native’s only hope of remaining in Green Bay may lie on the practice squad. He appeared in eight games for Green Bay last season, primarily on special teams. There is every possibility that he will be cut in September and given a spot on the practice squad.

Marshon Lloyd, running back

Since being selected with the 88th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Packers running back Marshon Lloyd has appeared in just one game with the team. Injuries never allowed him to prove himself at any point. Theoretically, Lloyd would be a perfect fit to step into the No. 2 role behind Josh Jacobs for the upcoming season. It’s just his inability to stay healthy that leads us to believe that something, possibly a soft-tissue injury, will sideline him during the summer. If this happens again, Green Bay may decide to cut their losses and move on.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Ahead of the 2025 NFL season, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst felt strongly that his team was ready to compete for the Super Bowl. Thus, he made the biggest trade of his career by sending two first-round picks to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons.

Gutekunst’s gamble proved correct. The Packers had one of the best teams in the NFL, but one thing he could not have predicted was that the team would lose two of its best players to injuries at the end of the season.

Parsons and the team’s leading pass-catcher, tight end Tucker Craft, both suffered torn ACLs last season. Kraft’s injury occurred in Week 9. Parsons’ injury occurred in Week 15. Still, despite the six-week difference from the time of their injuries, Parsons may not need to miss as much time as Kraft, as he is “a little bit of a freak” as Gutekunst described.

“They’re doing great,” Gutekunst said on SiriusXM Radio. “Tuck comes here every day, and he’s obviously a little ahead of schedule, just because his injury happened earlier than Micah’s. But Micah is like – he’s a little crazy. So I think some of that has taken over, and he’s doing really well, too.” He added, “So, obviously both of those guys are expected to be back at the start of the season. And they’ll be a big part of what we’re doing going forward.”

The Packers lost in Week 15, in the game where Parsons suffered an injury, and lost all of their next four games. A 9–3–1 record suddenly ended at 9–8–1 after a playoff loss to the Chicago Bears.

Meanwhile, Kraft tied with running back Christian Watson for the Packers’ rushing average of 61 yards per game. Parsons led the team with 12.5 sacks. Getting two of the team’s most impactful players back early in the season could greatly help the Packers’ success in 2026.

RELATED: 4 Green Bay Packers players who could be on the roster bubble in 2026

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Green Bay Packers rumors have been flying throughout the offseason even before Malik Willis left to sign with the Miami Dolphins. No one expected the Packers to get a chance to sign Willis, who was widely expected to get an opportunity to play better elsewhere. Nevertheless, given that Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has long been appreciative of developing quarterbacks, rumors have suggested that Green Bay could trade for another young prospect with untapped potential.

The name most linked to the Packers has been former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson. While the Indianapolis Colts are open to trading their former first-round pick for forward Daniel Jones. Green Bay’s latest move shows that a trade for Richardson may not be a top priority right now.

On Monday, the Packers announced they have signed 36-year-old QB Tyrod Taylor to a one-year contract to back up starter Jordan Love.

Taylor is a one-time Pro Bowler who spent the past two seasons with the New York Jets, appearing in eight games and making six starts. He completed 62.2% of his passes for 898 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions with the Jets.

Taylor Love joins a somewhat crowded Packers QB depth chart led by Desmond Ridder, Kyle McCord and Kyron Draughns. McCord, 23, was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round last year. The drone is an untested newbie. Ridder is a 26-year-old former third-rounder who has made 18 starts in the NFL, but he is equally unproven.

If nothing else, Taylor brings 15 years of NFL experience to a group that hasn’t seen much time on the field. He will be a veteran voice in the QB room to complement Love. Whether the Packers are still willing to invest more in that group, such as trading a third-day pick for Richardson, remains to be seen, but it’s possible only Love and Taylor make the roster, which could leave room for a developmental option.

RELATED: NFL executive reveals why Green Bay Packers fans should be ‘concerned’

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 23, and predictably, no one is talking about the Green Bay Packers. Of course, there’s a reason for this, as the Packers don’t have any picks on the first day of the draft. After trading for Micah Parsons, the Packers not only do not have a first-round pick in 2026, but they also do not have their own first-round pick in 2027.

For this year’s draft, the Packers are not scheduled to select until the 52nd overall pick in the second round. Thus, if there’s an early chance that Green Bay’s front office falls in love with him, they may have to move a move across the board to get the job done. With a total of eight draft selections, the Packers have some ammo to work with, even if it isn’t very valuable (only owning Nos. 52, 84 among the top 119 selections).

Yet, recently, NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports reported that the Packers are spending a lot of time with Oregon offensive guard prospect Emmanuel Pregnon. The 6-foot-4, 316-pound guard is generally viewed as a possibility to land early in the second round, but some scouts believe he could fall late in the first round.

Meanwhile, Pauline said, “If Pregnon starts to slip, keep an eye on the Packers.” Green Bay “sent a lot of people” to Preston’s Oregon Pro Day, and he’s also been interviewing with the team’s coaches recently. Pauline says there are a lot of questions, if not concerns, about the guard’s condition.

“The Packers don’t select until No. 52, which means they have to trade for Pregnon,” Pauline reported.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst isn’t afraid to be aggressive in targeting his favorite players. It remains to be seen if Pregnon is actually in Green Bay’s sights. If so, they may need to move up the board.

RELATED: 2026 NFL mock draft: Trades that captured the first round of the NFL draft

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The Green Bay Packers do not have a first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, complicating the team’s ability to address some glaring needs ahead of a season with Super Bowl aspirations. However, the other day there is someone their front office would reportedly love to get.

According to ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller, Green Bay has been “widely linked” to cornerback in the 2026 NFL Draft and has spent a potential Day 2 pick at the position. According to Miller, one name worth keeping in mind is San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson, who has “a lot of fans” in the scouting department.

RELATED: Packers GM reveals team will add key positions in 2026 NFL Draft

Packers reporter Rob Demowski also shared that cornerback is widely viewed within the organization as one of the top Packers draft needs. While Green Bay still likes KeySean Nixon, they want to add another “impact player” to start opposite him.

Corner is an obvious issue on the Packers’ depth chart. For now, the team will start Nixon and Carrington Valentine on the outside, with only Benjamin Saint-Juste, Kamal Hayden and Shemar Bartholomew as boundary corner options behind them.

RELATED: Potential Green Bay Packers backup QB options

For a team already facing questions about its ability to generate pressure while Micah Parsons (ACL tear) is sidelined, and he’s also thin on the interior, help in the secondary is vital. Of course, it’s far from certain that Johnson is still available at the 52nd overall pick.

Coming out of San Diego State, Johnson certainly matches the length requirements that Green Bay prioritizes at 6-foot and 193 pounds with 30 5/8″ arms. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared him to cornerback Byron Murphy, highlighting Johnson’s scheme versatility with good footwork, excellent ability to mirror into coverage, and good ball skills.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Green Bay Packers were one of the teams to sign veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​before he signed a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. While Cousins ​​is off the board, NFL rumors throughout the offseason indicated that head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst are looking for an insurance plan behind Jordan Love for next season.

It’s certainly possible that Green Bay could use one of their Day 3 selections on a signal-caller, but it’s much more likely that someone with starting experience will be brought in. Given the success LaFleur had in reviving the career of Malik Willis, serving as the Packers’ backup quarterback could be attractive to many passers around the league. With that in mind, let’s look at our list.

jimmy garoppolo

Shanahan is fond of coach Jimmy Garoppolo coming from the tree. When called into action, he executes the offense and his familiarity with concepts and play designs makes him a great fill-in starter or injury replacement. The Los Angeles Rams would love to bring back Jimmy Garoppolo and he is on the radar of the Arizona Cardinals, who are now coached by Mike LaFleur. With his only option being to serve as the No. 2 on the depth chart, Green Bay could prove worthwhile for the 34-year-old quarterback. Jordan Love has missed two starts due to injury in each of the last two seasons, so playing time will be a very real possibility. However, given that he is an undrafted free agent, Gutekunst may wait until after the 2026 NFL Draft to sign Garoppolo so as not to impact the compensatory selection the team receives next year.

RELATED: Predicting the landing spot for the best QB available

Will Lewis

Trading a third-day pick for one of the Tennessee Titans’ draft busts certainly worked out for the Packers two years ago. Similar to Willis, Titans quarterback Will Lewis never could put it together and the environment he had to work in certainly didn’t help him. He is in a contract year, carrying a $3.036 million cap hit in 2026, so he is definitely an affordable backup quarterback. The physical tools are still there, including excellent arm strength and above average athleticism. This would be a riskier No. 2 option behind Love than signing Garoppolo, but there is something even better with Lewis.

RELATED: Green Bay Packers considering contract extensions with 3 players

Anthony Richardson

The most interesting option for the Packers is clearly Anthony Richardson. In terms of physical tools, he brings even more to the table than Willis. Of course, he has a career 67.8 passer rating with a 50.6 percent completion rate and an 11-13 TD-INT ratio in 17 career games played. If Love is injured for several weeks and Richardson is forced to become the Packers’ starting quarterback, LaFleur will certainly be taking a gamble as the head coach of a playoff contender. There’s also no long-term benefit here, as the fully guaranteed fifth-year option on Richardson’s contract won’t be touched. That said, Richardson’s camp should see Green Bay as the best landing spot for his future and that’s equally good for the Packers.

RELATED: Green Bay Packers expected to trade for former top pick

tyrod taylor

If Green Bay doesn’t want to sacrifice a draft pick by trading for Will Lewis or Anthony Richardson and the number of suitors for Jimmy Garoppolo pushes his contract value to uncomfortable limits, there’s always Tyrod Taylor. He’ll turn 37 in August, but he’s well-respected in the locker room and has a 13-8 TD-INT line with a 63.4 percent completion rate and an 85.7 passer rating in 19 games over the past three seasons. He could be a useful starter on offense for LaFleur for a week or two, while also providing some advice for Love.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Green Bay Packers said goodbye to a backup quarterback this offseason after seeing Malik Willis sign a $67.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins. They haven’t changed his spot in the cubby room yet.

While the Packers have Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord as backups to Jordan Love, they don’t inspire any confidence if Love is taken out of action, as he was in each of the last two seasons. Still, the Packers are internally discussing adding another QB with 14 seasons of NFL experience.

Green Bay has considered the possibility of signing free agent QB Kirk Cousins, according to Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst.

“Yeah, we’ve discussed a lot of those options. Obviously, he’s a guy who has made a lot of impacts on the wall in this league, so we’ve definitely discussed all those types of things.”

Cousins ​​spent two seasons being coached by Packers head coach Matt LaFleur in Washington from 2012 to 2013, so there are already some strong familiarities here. Cousins ​​themselves may welcome a potential partnership.

Still, Cousins ​​will be looking forward to a better opportunity to see the field in 2026. However, this opportunity may not present itself as most entry-level jobs are already filled. It’s clear that Cousins ​​is a popular target among league circles, with him also being linked to Las Vegas and the Los Angeles Rams.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: End of March edition

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The Green Bay Packers went into NFL free agency knowing they would lose Malik Willis, Rasheed Walker, Romeo Dobbs and Quaye Walker. For general manager Brian Gutekunst, the balancing act will come with trying to both improve the roster, while also ensuring the team remains in good position to receive a compensatory selection in the 2027 NFL Draft.

With free agency underway, we’re examining some potential targets Green Bay could pursue.

Josh Jobe, cornerback

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst acknowledged that cornerback is an area where the team needs to improve. However, without a first-round pick, any rookie brought in will be a developmental piece who won’t see the field a ton in 2026. Immediate help is available in NFL free agency, although clubs have limited financial flexibility to address the situation.

Before winning a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, Josh Jobe spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, including one season under defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, whom he spent mostly learning from the sidelines. He played 65 percent of Philadelphia’s defensive snaps in 2024, allowing a 76.6 passer rating and 7.2 yards per target in coverage, and then played 78 percent of the Seahawks’ defensive snaps last season, allowing a 77.0 passer rating and 5.7 yards per target. He’s a bit of a gamble, as his success has come with great talent around him, but he offers qualities Green Bay likes, and he could challenge for a starting spot next season in a reunion with Gannon.

Roy Lopez, nose tackle

As impressive as Micah Parsons was for Green Bay’s defense last season, the absence of Kenny Clark was felt. The team needs more help in the interior, especially with Jonathan Gannon taking over as the defensive play-caller. Luckily for Brian Gutekunst and Gannon, there are some options in NFL free agency. Within the club’s price range, Roy Lopez stands out.

According to Pro Football Focus, he spent last season with the Detroit Lions, setting career highs in quarterback hits (five) and sacks (two), while finishing 15th among interior defensive linemen in run defense grade (68.9). Before that, Lopez spent two seasons guarding Gannon in Arizona, playing 45 percent of the defensive snaps. He’s a strong nose tackle at 6-foot-2 and 312 pounds, and he’ll help restore what Green Bay lost on the interior when Clark was traded.

Nakobe Dean, off-ball linebacker

Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported last week that Green Bay has reached out to agents who have linebacker clients hitting the open market during the NFL Combine, gauging the market for potential additions. Nakobe Dean could be an option, especially since Jonathan Gannon was the defensive coordinator in Philadelphia when the team selected him in the 2022 NFL Draft. Dean has a small frame and stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall, but is considered one of the best blitzing linebackers in the NFL. If Green Bay wants to find different ways to generate pressure for Micah Parsons, who suffered an ACL injury in year one — especially if Rashaan Gary is released — Dean could be a target at off-ball linebacker.

Calais Campbell, defensive lineman

One topic of our list of potential Packers free agent targets is the relationship between said player and defensive play-caller Jonathan Gannon. The same applies to Calais Campbell, who recorded 33 pressures, 16 quarterback hits and 6.5 sacks at Arizona last season. The 6-foot-8 and 315-pound Campbell is often used in a rotational role — he logged 524 snaps last season — as he now enters his age-40 season. That said, he can be a very good situational pass rusher, and he’s still making an impact on special teams.

Asante Samuel Jr., cornerback

Before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the end of the 2025 season, Asante Samuel Jr. met with the Packers. After playing six games (three starts) with Pittsburgh, he did not sign with the team. There are still medical risks, but Green Bay’s height-weight-speed limits on cornerbacks already limit their options. If Gutekunst doesn’t want to spend much at the position, perhaps a one-year deal with Samuel could be a good risk-reward move for both sides.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

There were times during the Green Bay Packers season that it felt like Matt LaFleur was on one of the best teams in the NFC. On a good day, it looked like the Packers might even be able to compete for the Super Bowl. Injuries played a major factor in the team’s success, as there are no replacements for Tucker Craft and Micah Parsons.

Now the Packers are looking to evaluate how they can bounce back with a strong all-around effort in 2026, when Kraft and Parsons are expected to return to the field. Only now, the Packers must find a new special teams coordinator.

The team’s assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia is stepping down from his position, the coaches said Tuesday. Bisasia has been an active football coach every season since 1983, but is now taking a break on his coaching career.

Bisaccia’s career includes becoming the interim head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021, leading them to a respectable 7-5 record and a postseason appearance following the sudden departure of Jon Gruden. He has also been an assistant head coach for five different NFL teams.

Now 65, the Yonkers, New York native is prioritizing his health rather than going through the hardships of another rollercoaster season. Perhaps this is the end of Bisasia’s NFL career, or perhaps we’ll hear from him in the future. Either way, the Packers need a new special teams coordinator for 2026.

RELATED: Green Bay Packers expected to move on from leading receiver

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

毫無疑問，芝加哥熊隊在準備在分區季后賽中對陣洛杉磯公羊隊時已經激勵了他們的城市。他們得到了球迷的全力支持，也得到了該市其他職業運動隊的支持。

在周日芝加哥公牛隊對陣布魯克林籃網隊的比賽開始之前，公牛隊後衛阿約·多蘇穆 (Ayo Dosunmu) 來到聯合中心球館，身穿一件印有熊隊外接手 DJ Moore 戰勝綠灣包裝工隊防守後衛凱森·尼克森 (Keisean Nixan) 的製勝達陣接球的球衣。這場令人難忘的比賽發生在第 16 週兩隊在士兵球場的比賽中。

熊隊在那場比賽中以 22-16 獲勝，並在 NFC 北部比賽中與包裝工隊分開。他們將在外卡賽中再次遇到包裝工隊，摩爾在那場比賽中還接住了四分衛凱萊布·威廉姆斯的製勝達陣傳球。在這次接球中，摩爾在第四節後期暢通無阻地衝進達陣區，大步接球。

這 Dosunmu表現出的支持 週末，熊隊還參加了另外兩場芝加哥體育賽事。週六晚上，在聯合中心球場，芝加哥黑鷹隊主場迎戰波士頓棕熊隊的 NHL 比賽中，熊隊的支持聲響亮而清晰。芝加哥小熊隊的球迷還在周末在市中心一家酒店舉行的年度球隊大會上支持了熊隊。

多孫木是來自伊利諾伊州的四年級後衛，他為公牛隊場均貢獻14.4分和3.5次助攻。芝加哥隊以19勝22負的戰績排在東部第九位。

明尼蘇達維京人隊以 16-3 擊敗綠灣包裝工隊，結束第 18 週比賽。然而，JJ 麥卡錫似乎因在那場比賽中的一些滑稽行為而收到了罰款。

據 NFL Network 的湯姆·佩利塞羅 (Tom Pelissero) 報導，有報導稱，這位即將滿 23 歲的四分衛因違反體育道德的行為而被罰款 11,593 美元。麥卡錫在一場比賽中推倒包裝工隊角衛凱森·尼克鬆後嘲笑了他。

“NFL 對維京人隊四分衛 JJ 麥卡錫 (JJ McCarthy) 處以 11,593 美元的罰款，原因是其違反體育道德的行為——上週在降低肩膀後嘲笑了包裝工隊的 CB 基森尼克松 (Keisean Nixon)。”

這是麥卡錫職業生涯的第一次罰球，因為他通常不會在比賽結束後嘲笑對手。但在第 18 週的勝利中，他用僵硬的手臂並用卡車運送了包裝工隊的兩名防守隊員後，他似乎變得很興奮。因此，情緒可能已經戰勝了這位二年級四分衛。

麥卡錫和維京人隊希望未來有更好的日子，因為俱樂部今年未能進入季后賽。在因膝傷缺席整個 2024-25 賽季後，這位前首輪新秀在 2025-26 賽季完成了職業生涯首秀。不幸的是，到目前為止，JJ·麥卡錫的整個職業生涯都飽受傷病困擾，他只打了10場比賽。

對於這位維京人四分衛來說，這個賽季有點像坐過山車，因為他在參加的比賽中表現不佳。麥卡錫以 1,632 碼的傳球碼和 15 次達陣（11 次傳球，4 次沖球）結束了本賽季，同時還以 57.6% 的完成率完成了 12 次攔截。

維京人隊將在這個休賽期做出一些有趣的決定。一些人認為球隊應該從 JJ 麥卡錫手中接過。然而，考慮到他是前首輪新秀，球隊更有可能為他提供證明自己所需的所有機會。