2026 Green Bay Packers Offseason Preview

Look for a potential extension to settle in somewhere around 8-12 million/year.

1. 3. Sean Rhyan, IOL 

Sean has long been one of my favorite under the radar players. I was excited to see how he played during a contract year in 2025, but he largely hasn’t lived up to my expectations. He had a surprisingly poor stint at RG before moving to Center after Elgton Jenkins’ injury. 

While the run game has looked better since Rhyan took over at center, his pass protection has been pretty abysmal at center. In many ways he’s the exact opposite player that Elgton Jenkins was. Only 4 qualifying centers have allowed more pressures this season than Sean Rhyan, and his pass blocking grade at PFF is dead last among centers. 

I’m very curious to see how the market shakes out for Rhyan. I could see a team valuing his size/versatility and offering something close to 10 million/year. But on the other hand, his production has been nowhere near consistent enough to warrant that kind of money. Green Bay might be able to retain him for relatively cheap, if they are interested. 

4. Zayne Anderson, S 

A special teams ace over the last couple years that will likely be cheap to retain. His main competition would come from Kitan Oladapo who is currently behind Anderson on the depth chart. Look for Anderson to return on a cheap one year deal. 

5. Nick Niemann, LB

Very similar situation to Anderson. Niemann was a huge piece of the kickoff and punt coverage teams before going down with a torn pec in Pittsburgh. I could also see him returning on a cheap contract. 

6. John Fitzpatrick, TE 

I would have had him ranked higher if it weren’t for the torn achilles that Fitzpatrick suffered Saturday in Chicago. I thought Fitzpatrick has been the second best tight end on the team pretty much all year. Keep in mind that he was out-snapping Luke Musgrave before the Tucker Kraft injury on a somewhat consistent basis. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Packers bring him back for cheap and let him rehab in Green Bay this summer. 

7. Malik Willis, QB 

There’s a lot of talk about Willis being a top-32 quarterback in the world. While that may be true, I still would be somewhat surprised to see Willis get a true shot as a starter in 2026. However, a good performance against Baltimore today could change Malik’s world and effectively price the Packers out. Think Matt Flynn against Detroit in 2011. 

Let’s note that Justin Fields signed a 2 year 40 million dollar contract last summer. I think Willis is a better player than Fields by a somewhat large margin, but Willis might have a hard time finding a contract offer like that. That being said, nothing between 10-20 million/year would surprise me for Willis. 

8. Romeo Doubs, WR 

While it’s been a rough couple months for Doubs, I don’t want to forget the player he’s been in Green Bay. While unspectacular, Doubs has been a reliable X receiver who will almost assuredly do better with a higher volume role in another offense. 

His onside kick gaffes won’t change things. Doubs is about to make a lot of money, and it will likely come elsewhere. The writing has been on the wall in Green Bay since the Christian Watson extension. Doubs’ backside X receiver snaps will likely be funneled to Golden, Wicks and Savion Williams in 2026. 

I’d expect 12-15 million/year to serve as a starting point in negotiations with Romeo. Once again, that’s money the Packers don’t have to spend at his position. 

9. Rasheed Walker, LT 

Walker has somehow hung on to the starting left tackle job for a whole two years since the selection of Jordan Morgan in 2024. While Walker has been solid, he seems to have plateaued as a player. 

Walker has surrendered the most pressures of anybody on the team, and continues to struggle in the run game. Walker’s lack of high end athleticism/speed makes zone running schemes in particular a struggle for him. 

Rasheed’s estimated AAV on a potential extension is listed at 23 million dollars per Spotrac. That’s money he deserves, but the Packers will likely be more than happy to turn the reins over to a cheaper and potentially better option in Jordan Morgan. 

Pending Restricted Free Agents: (In no particular order)

1. Emmanuel Wilson, RB 
2. Bo Melton, CB/WR 
3. Darian Kinnard, OL 
4. Chris Brooks, RB 
5. Brenton Cox, DE 
6. Kamal Hadden, CB 
7. Donovan Jennings, OG

Potential Cap Casualties or Tradeable Players 

1. 1. Elgton Jenkins, OL 

Elgton is currently under contract for 24.8 million dollars in 2026. If the Packers were to cut/trade Jenkins, they would save roughly 20 million dollars against the cap and incur less than 5 million dollars of dead cap. 

While Jenkins is still a very useful player, I have a hard time seeing the Green Bay Packers being willing to fork over that much cash to keep him around. Trading him is also unlikely due to his high price. I would expect a straight forward release. Sadly, this clearly seems like the end of the road for what was a wonderful career in Green Bay. 

1. 2. Rashan Gary, DE 

Rashan currently has the 2nd highest scheduled cap hit on the team going into 2026. For a player that’s been as unproductive and lackadaisical as Gary has been lately, that is unacceptable. 

Gary is currently due 28 million in 2026, and the Packers could save 11 million by cutting or trading him. While another team may choose to trade for him, it would almost assuredly be for a miniscule return. Don’t expect much more than a single 6th or 7th round pick at best. 

Even if the Packers aren’t able to trade Gary, I would expect them to cut him. That 11 million they could save would be much better spent on keeping a player like Enagbare. Cutting/trading him this spring would also clear all of his dead cap before the 2027 season which will be another tight offseason on the balance sheet. Another sad ending for a previously great player. 

1. 3. Keisean Nixon, CB 

This one is much more unlikely. Nixon is due 7.1 million next year, and while he has had his struggles, he is probably worth that number. However, the Packers may look to open up more opportunities for Nate Hobbs/Carrington Valentine, and bring in some new competition at the position in 2026. If that happens, then Nixon does become a very tradeable contract. Trading/cutting Nixon this spring would save the Green Bay Packers exactly 5 million dollars. 

1. 4. Isaiah McDuffie, LB 

McDuffie is due just shy of 5 million in 2026. That’s an incredibly fair number for him. The only reason I include him on this list is the potential breakout of Tyron Hopper. Hopper is a solid player who has shown out every single time he gets on the field. 

If the Packers do want to clear a runway for Hopper, they could save 3.7 million by cutting/trading McDuffie. 

5th Year Option Decision: 

Lukas Van Ness is the lone Packer up for a 5th year option this offseason. Sadly, this one will likely be a pretty simple decline for Green Bay. I still have hope for LVN’s future, but injuries have slowed down his 2025 campaign. 

Extension Candidates: 

1. 1. Tucker Kraft, TE 

If I am Tucker Kraft I wouldn’t step on the field until I have a new contract agreed to. While the ACL tear does complicate things, Kraft was squarely on track towards becoming a blue chip player at tight end. Those players aren’t cheap, and he should be handsomely rewarded sometime this offseason. 

1. 2. Christian Watson, WR 

Gutekunst saved himself so much time and money with his pseudo “5th year option” deal he signed Watson to this fall. I know it’s only been a few months, but that deal has already aged like fine wine. Watson has been the clear no. 1 wideout in Green Bay since returning from a major injury. Expect Watson to work out another extension that pays him well over 20 million/year. He deserves every penny of it. 

Draft Picks: 

2nd round pick (own) 

3rd round pick (own) 

4th round pick (own) 

5th round pick (own) 

6th round pick (own) 

7th round pick (own) 

7th round pick (estimated compensatory) 

Coaching Changes: 

1. 1. Jeff Hafley, DC

Recent reporting has put Hafley firmly in the running for a head coaching job in both New York and Tennessee. Losing Hafley would really hurt the Green Bay Packers. Functional defensive coordinators have not been easy to come by over here. Now, we don’t know if Hafley will get the job, but we do know that he will get interviews and be busy with those throughout the playoffs. 

The Green Bay Packers defense has been on a bit of a downturn lately, and maybe that will scare other teams away from him. So, there’s a silver lining for you.  

1. 2. Rich Bisaccia, ST

Man, this is such a complicated situation. Regrettably, it doesn’t look like much will change. Lafleur greatly values contributions from Bisaccia outside of solely special teams. Expect Bisaccia to be back in 2026 and for the results to be similarly poor. 

If you made it this far, I am proud of you for reading all of that. This was our opportunity to look ahead and think about the future of the Green Bay Packers. But now it’s time to turn our minds back to the present. Our team is in the playoffs once again, and we’ve got January football to look forward to for the 3rd straight year! Fans at Lambeau today, be loud and proud. The Packers desperately need a win today for morale purposes, and we can play a part in that. 

More than anything, let’s enjoy every bit of the remaining season. This one has been going by too fast, and I’ll have plenty of time later to bombard you with endless offseason content. Go Pack Go!