The Green Bay Packers have a solid foundation at off-ball linebacker. Starters Oren Burks and De'Vondre Campbell are under contract for 2024, and even if Green Bay decides to move on from Campbell, who's getting older and more expensive, Isaiah McDuffie has one year left on his rookie contract.
In spite of the pretty comfortable situation, two of the Packers off-ball linebackers are slated to be free agents — and it's not like they are not relevant for the roster. Eric Wilson and Kristian Welch will hit the market, and both have an important role as special teamers.
Eric Wilson
Wilson has been a primary special teamer for the Packers since 2022. In 2023, he played 71.79% of the special teams snaps, frequently being important — a big example if a Keisean Nixon's fumble that Wilson recovered in the divisional round game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Wilson also offers defensive depth. In 2023, he was the fourth linebacker, behind Burks, Campbell, and McDuffie, and had to play 10.89% of the snaps on defense.
His experience and leadership are also important factors for the Packers locker room — he's been a full-time contributor for the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, and Houston Texans.
In each of the last two years, Wilson agreed to veteran minimum deals with the Packers. He will be 30 years old in September, and there's no reason not to bring him back if Green Bay can get a minimum deal once again.
Kristian Welch
Welch played three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, but didn't make the initial 53-man roster last season. The Packers immediately signed him to the practice squad, and then he was promoted to the active roster a month later. He's not a defensive factor whatsoever, but his contributions as a special teamer are real.
Welch played 48.95% of the special teams snaps in 2023, finishing the regular season with six tackles — he also had one against the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs.
The former Iowa player, by the way, is from Iola, Wisconsin, and grew up as a Packers fan.
"I was excited for that opportunity," Welch said during the season. "Playing from Week 4 on, I'm pretty proud of that, just to play that many games after getting in at the beginning of the year, not having any offseason and learning on the fly. Opening the playbook and learning all this defense and special teams – it was a bit chaotic there for a while, but I got used to the deal."
It's still unclear how many special teamers the Packers will keep on the 53-man roster in 2023, but Welch deserves a chance to compete. If he's willing to come back on a short-term deal with no guarantees, he could certainly be in Green Bay for training camp — but it's not like the Packers will lose a lot if he goes elsewhere either.
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