Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt. Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Injured Packers' X-factor has high expectations for 2026

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jan 13, 2026 4:00 PM ET

Losing defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt was a big deal for the Green Bay Packers.

No, it didn't carry the same sting as losing Tucker Kraft, and it certainly paled in comparison to losing Micah Parsons, but the big defensive tackle going down on Thanksgiving was a tough injury for the Packers to swallow.

In fact, their defense took a massive hit when his season was ended due to an ankle injury.

Speaking of seasons ending, the Packers are officially in offseason mode after losing to the Chicago Bears in the Wild Card this past weekend.

That meant players we haven't seen in a while got to speak to the media.

One of those players was the 6-foot-3, 304-pound former first-round pick out of Georgia, who certainly has high expectations for himself coming off this injury in 2026.

"I feel like I got a lot more in the tank...I feel like a double (digit) sack year, Pro Bowl, All-Pro..." Wyatt told the media on Monday.

He mentioned hitting all of his personal goals, but also a Super Bowl, which has to be music to the Packers' ears after their disastrous loss to the Bears in the playoffs.

Devonte Wyatt has been out since week 13 after fracturing his ankle. He said his timeline could be between 3-5 months depending how the recovery goes on his fractured ankle.

"I feel like I got a lot more in the tank... I feel like a double (digit) sack year, pro bowl,… pic.twitter.com/asszlDlbTU
— Cameron Ezeir (@EzeirCameron) January 12, 2026

Devonte Wyatt will be a huge part of the Packers' defense in 2026

If the Packers want to reopen their Super Bowl window, having Wyatt back and healthy is going to be a big part of it.

There simply aren't many defenders in the NFL that can do what he's capable of.

He's a great run stuffer because of his size, obviously, but Wyatt also has elite athleticism and the quick-twitch ability to get after the quarterback from the one-tech or three-tech position.

Wyatt took a while to come into his own as the 28th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but he was on an elite trajectory before the injury took him out.

Last season, he notched 23 tackles (17 solo), five sacks, two fumble recoveries and 6.5 stuffs. This past season, he put up 27 tackles (15 solo), four sacks, 4.5 stuffs and two passes defended.

He's put up 16 sacks in four seasons, which is great for a big defensive lineman.

If Wyatt can come back healthy in 2026, his goal of being an elite player is absolutely attainable.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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