Five Green Bay Packers Players on Defense Who Face a Crossroads in Their Career in 2025

The NFL is a competitive league where careers are often short. A player can go from All Pro to yesterday’s news in a hurry or do the reverse with one outstanding season. With that in mind, here are five Green Bay Packers players on defense who are at a crossroads in their careers in 2025. These players could establish themselves as important players or become career backups or journeymen depending on how they do this season.

Packers Players On Defense Who Are at a Crossroads in Their Careers in 2025, Number Five: CB Carrington Valentine

Carrington Valentine has started 19 games in his first two seasons in the NFL. That’s exceptional for a seventh-round draft pick.

Each year, Valentine started when injuries struck the secondary. The former Kentucky star showed promise as a physical corner and has exceeded expectations thus far in his NFL career.

But will Valentine start in 2025 and if so, can he establish himself as a legitimate starter rather than just a guy who can fill in when injuries strike?

The possible departure of Jaire Alexander could open the door for Valentine to start, but the signing of Nate Hobbs and the possibility that the Packers will draft a cornerback in the early rounds of this year’s draft will give him some competition.

Number Four: DT Kenny Clark

Kenny Clark saw his productivity drop dramatically last season. He went from a career-high 7.5 sacks in 2023 to just one in 2024. The key question is, what was the reason for the decline? Was it due to a nagging toe injury and a change of defensive systems or the fact that Clark is getting older and has a lot of wear on his body after nine seasons in the NFL?

The other issue for Clark is his large cap hit for 2026. Even if he returns to Pro Bowl form, he will likely have to restructure his deal or take a substantial pay cut to remain in Green Bay beyond this season.

How well he performs in 2025 will determine his future with the Packers.

Packers Players On Defense Who Are at a Crossroads in Their Careers in 2025, Number Three: DT Devonte Wyatt

Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt enters the final year of his entry-level contract in 2025. Will he earn a second deal with the Packers?

Wyatt recorded five sacks and nine tackles for loss in 2024. He established himself as the team’s best pass rusher among the interior defensive linemen. However, the former first-round pick out of Georgia didn’t start any games last season and only played 41 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.

Will the Packers give Wyatt a second contract? They won’t unless he has a strong 2025 season and shows he’s more than a part-time role player.

Number Two: LB Quay Walker

Quay Walker needs a big season this year to stay in Green Bay beyond 2025. He will also be in the final year of his entry-level deal this year and will need a good season to show he deserves a second contract with the Pack.

Walker led the Packers in tackles again last season. He has great speed but needs to improve his ability to read plays and get in the right position. Too many of his tackles come downfield after the ball carrier or receiver has already gained too many yards.

In the final few games of the season, Walker picked up his play and seemed to take his game to the next level. If he proves this is his new normal and not just a hot streak, he will continue to be a part of the Green Bay defense beyond 2025.

Packers Players On Defense Who Are at a Crossroads in Their Careers in 2025, Number One: DE Lukas Van Ness

Lukas Van Ness hasn’t missed a game in his first two NFL seasons. However, the former first-round pick out of Iowa hasn’t started any games yet either.

Van Ness has all the physical tools you look for in an edge rusher, but the productivity hasn’t been there consistently. He improved at defending the run last season but still only played 39 percent of the team’s defensive snaps and recorded only three sacks.

Even after the Packers traded Preston Smith midway through the season, Van Ness didn’t win the starting job at defensive end.

The Packers are hoping Van Ness makes a third-year jump and develops into the kind of player his size, speed, and athleticism make him capable of becoming.