Packers taking risky gamble with Devonte Wyatt extension

Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Packers taking risky gamble with Devonte Wyatt extension

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jul 20, 2026 8:47 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers have been throwing around money this offseason.

First was wide receiver Jayden Reed, whom the Packers gave a three-year, $50.25 million contract extension to in late April.

Then came wide receiver Christian Watson, who signed a four-year, $92 million extension on June 4.

The Packers took care of two of quarterback Jordan Love's favorite targets, and now they've turned their attention to the defensive side of the football.

On Monday, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, heading into his fifth NFL season, agreed to a three-year, $57 million extension with the Packers.

The #Packers and standout DT Devonte Wyatt have agreed to terms on a 3-year, $57M contract extension with a $20M signing bonus. A big-time payday. The deal was negotiated by @WinSportsGroup. pic.twitter.com/8to3vsfwRg
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 20, 2026

This deal is a long time coming for Wyatt, who was the 28th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Georgia.

Packers DL Devonte Wyatt is coming off a massive injury

Wyatt took some time to get acclimated to life in the NFL, but he came on big for the Packers in 2023 and 2024 and was en route to a tremendous season in 2025 before he suffered a nasty, season-ending injury on Thanksgiving Day.

And therein lies the issue for the Packers. Wyatt has been a great player for them when healthy, but he's coming off a fractured fibula and torn ankle ligament in his left leg.

He's notched 14.5 sacks over the past three seasons, but will he be able to come back from this injury and be the same player that he was before it?

The answer to that question can only be answered during the 2026 season, but the Packers just gambled $57 million that the answer will be yes — and at least $20 million of that is guaranteed.

It's a big risk, but along with big risks come big rewards.

Andrew Kulha

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

More must-reads: