In the words of Plutarch Heavensbee: “Moves and countermoves.” Which might best describe the Green Bay Packers offseason.

Free agency officially opens in one week, with the legal negotiation window beginning Monday, March 9. The Packers enter the period facing a complicated roster puzzle: several starters who played roughly 80% or more of snaps last season are set to hit the open market, while young cornerstone players like Christian Watson, Tucker Kraft, and Devonte Wyatt are nearing extension eligibility.

With limited salary cap flexibility, general manager Brian Gutekunst will need to thread the needle between retaining talent, managing future extensions, and staying competitive in a Super Bowl window.

Key Free Agents

Malik Willis

Malik Willis headlines the Packers’ free agent class and is currently ranked as the top available free agent on NFL.com.

After arriving in Green Bay in 2024, Willis appeared to benefit from what many around the league jokingly call the “Matt LaFleur quarterback school.” The change in system and coaching seemed to stabilize his development and potentially revived the trajectory of his career.

Romeo Doubs

Based on comments and offseason signals, it seems increasingly likely that Romeo Doubs has played his final snap in Green Bay.

With the Packers deep at wide receiver and Doubs projected to command $20+ million per year, retaining him would be difficult to justify given the team’s financial constraints.

Rasheed Walker

Left tackle Rasheed Walker may be the most expensive decision the Packers face.

Walker, entering his prime at 26, ranked second in the NFL in pass-blocking in 2024 and has started 32 games at left tackle. Those credentials could push his market value into the $20 million per year range, which would put him firmly in the top tier of offensive tackles.

Teams around the league will be interested.

Quay Walker

Linebacker Quay Walker is another potential departure. Reports suggest his market could reach $15 million annually.

While Walker has been productive, investing heavily in off-ball linebackers has historically produced mixed returns. Players like Patrick Queen and Nick Bolton signed deals in the $13–15 million range, and neither contract has dramatically shifted team success.

Other Departures

Green Bay also declined to tender Emanuel Wilson, who filled in for Josh Jacobs late last season, and Zayne Anderson, a special teams contributor. Both will enter unrestricted free agency.

Players Who Could Return

Sean Rhyan

Sean Rhyan may have found a long-term home at center late last season.

Spotrac projects his market value around $6 million per year, a manageable number for a player who offers positional flexibility and familiarity with the system.

Kingsley Enagbare

Kingsley Enagbare quietly had one of the more encouraging finishes to the season.

At times he outperformed Rashan Gary and showed strong ability against the run. Spotrac projects his value around $6 million annually, and at just 26 years old he could attract multiple suitors.

Possible Cap Casualties

Rashan Gary

Rashan Gary carries a projected $28 million cap hit in 2026, a number that would place him ahead of elite edge rushers like Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons.

Gary started the season hot with 7.5 sacks in the first eight games, but his production dropped significantly afterward. The Packers could save roughly $11 million by restructuring or moving on.

The late-season emergence of Lukas Van Ness will factor heavily into that decision. Green Bay must also decide on Van Ness’s fifth-year option (~$15 million) by May.

Meanwhile, second-year players Barron Sorrell and Colin Oliver have flashed enough potential to warrant larger roles in 2026.

Elgton Jenkins

It increasingly feels like Elgton Jenkins has played his final snap at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

Moving on from Jenkins would free roughly $20 million in cap space in 2026, which would help the Packers get financially compliant heading into the new league year.

Josh Jacobs

Josh Jacobs remains one of the best players on the roster and a respected locker room leader.

But if the Packers are forced into difficult financial choices, releasing Jacobs would free $8 million in cap space. It’s unlikely—but in a tight cap situation, every scenario must be evaluated.

Other Potential Cuts

• Isaiah McDuffie — $3.7M savings
• Karl Brooks — $3.6M savings
• Brandon McManus — $2M savings

Those moves alone could create enough flexibility to retain players like Sean Rhyan, Kingsley Enagbare, Darian Kennard, and Nick Niemann.

Positions of Need

Center

If Jenkins is released and Rhyan departs in free agency, center becomes an immediate priority.

Top free agent Tyler Linderbaum headlines the market, while former Wisconsin Badger Tyler Biadasz and Lloyd Cushenberry recently became available after injury-plagued seasons.

Fortunately for Green Bay, this year’s draft class also features strong depth at center.

Linebacker

If Quay Walker leaves and McDuffie is cut, the linebacker room becomes extremely thin.

Only Edgerrin Cooper and Ty’ron Hopper would remain.

Possible free-agent targets include:

• Bobby Okereke
• Nakobe Dean
• Matt Milano

Milano could make particular sense given his connection with new Packers defensive pass game coordinator Bobby Babich, who previously coached him in Buffalo.

Spotrac estimates Milano’s value around $4 million, which fits Green Bay’s likely budget approach.

Cornerback

Brian Gutekunst recently said the cornerback room needs more competition.

Injuries exposed the position last season, and the group quickly lost stability.

Possible options include:

• Trevon Diggs, who joined Green Bay late last season
• Greg Newsome, a close friend of Jayden Reed and son of former Packers corner Craig Newsome
• Cor’Dale Flott, who reportedly drew trade-deadline interest last year

Meanwhile, the Packers could already have some buyer’s remorse regarding Nate Hobbs’ contract, and both Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine are scheduled to hit free agency in 2027.

In other words, this room could look entirely different within a year.

Knowing Gutekunst, the Packers will likely address the position aggressively through both the draft and free agency.

The Compensatory Pick Strategy

If players like Malik Willis, Rasheed Walker, Romeo Doubs, and Quay Walker depart this offseason, the Packers could receive multiple high-value compensatory picks.

However, signing outside free agents to similar contracts would cancel those picks out.

Because of that, Green Bay may approach free agency differently than in past years.

The Packers are firmly in a Super Bowl window, but they lack both cap space and draft capital.

The most likely strategy?
Target veteran-minimum contracts while preserving compensatory picks and building through the draft.

This offseason will be less about splash moves—and more about carefully calculated countermoves.