As the new league year nears, general manager Brian Gutekunst has been very busy. This article is your one-stop shop to catch up on all of the news involving the Green Bay Packers.

To kick things off, the Packers are losing multiple key players from their 2025 roster. Gutekunst has traded away two starters and allowed several others to leave in free agency. On top of those moves, it's widely expected that wide receiver Romeo Doubs and offensive tackle Rasheed Walker will sign elsewhere over the next couple of days. There could be more subtractions to come.

There are still plenty of moves to come. The Packers have multiple holes that need filling, specifically on the defensive line and at cornerback. ESPN's Rob Demovsky reported that the Packers will be focused on reshaping their defensive line. The Packers have reportedly been reaching out to the Eagles regarding defensive lineman Jalen Carter. They also have their eyes on Javon Hargrave when he gets released. It will be interesting to see if anything transpires on either front. Let's get caught up on all the moves thus far.

Signed

DL Javon Hargrave

It was maybe the worst-kept secret in all of free agency. Less than 12 hours after his official release from the Minnesota Vikings, Javon Hargrave signed a two-year, $23 million deal with the Packers. Hargrave has played for Packers’ defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon before in Philadelphia, so this reunion made a lot of sense. Hargrave’s best seasons were with Gannon. In 2021 and 2022, he recorded a combined 129 pressures and 22 sacks, per PFF. The 33-year-old Hargrave hasn’t been as productive the last couple of seasons in San Francisco and Minnesota, so it’s fair to wonder how much he has left in the tank. That said, he immediately becomes Green Bay’s second-best defensive tackle and returns to a defensive scheme he’s had success with in the past.

Javon Hargrave has generated the 2nd-highest quick pressure rate among defensive tackles since the start of 2023 (min. 500 pass rushes).

Hargrave has ranked in the top 5 in the category in his last two full seasons (2023 and 2025).@packers | #GoPackGo https://t.co/STSBLCuOGB pic.twitter.com/QHh6kLEEpQ

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 11, 2026

CB Benajmin St. Juste

The Packers' first external addition in free agency was signing cornerback Benjamin St-Juste. St-Juste is signing a two-year deal worth up to $10.5 million. The Washington Commanders selected St-Juste in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. After four years with the Commanders, St-Juste was with the Los Angeles Chargers for the 2025 season. He’s played in 70 games over his five-year career, including 47 starts. He was mostly a backup with the Chargers, but he did play nearly 300 snaps on special teams. His addition should provide some much-needed depth to the Packers' cornerback group.

WR Skyy Moore

Skyy Moore has agreed to terms with the Packers on a one-year, $2.5 million deal. Moore has the ability to earn up to $4.5 million total. Moore will be listed as a wide receiver, but his primary focus will be on special teams. He's an experienced punt and kick returner. Last season, he averaged 11.6 yards per return on punts and 27.5 yards per return on kicks. He will immediately become the preferred option as a returner for the new special teams coordinator, Cam Achord.

Lost via Free Agency

Malik Willis

Malik Willis was the first player to reportedly sign with a new team, following Jeff Hafley and Jon-Eric Sullivan to Miami. Willis is signing a three-year, $67.5 million deal with $45 million guaranteed. Willis will immediately become the new starting quarterback for the new regime in Miami. Willis played in 11 games over his two years in Green Bay, starting three of them. As a Packer, he completed 78.7% of his passes for 972 yards and six touchdowns, which was good for a 134.6 passer rating. He also didn’t throw an interception. The Packers should receive a compensatory pick with Willis signing elsewhere, and it is expected to be in the third- to fourth-round range.

Kingsley Enagbare

Kingsley Enagbare will also be leaving Green Bay after reportedly agreeing to a one-year, $10 million contract with the New York Jets. Enagbare played 1,895 snaps for the Packers over his four years in Green Bay, including 468 last season. Enagbare was primarily a rotational pass rusher, but he became the preferred option over Rashan Gary late last season. The Packers should receive a compensatory pick for Enagbare, and it is expected to be in the fifth- to sixth-round range.

Quay Walker

Quay Walker is reported to be signing with the Las Vegas Raiders on a three-year deal worth up to $40.5 million with $28 million guaranteed. Walker was the Packers' primary Mike linebacker over the last several seasons, playing over 3,300 snaps in his Packers career. The former first-round pick never fully lived up to his draft pedigree, but he’s been a staple of Green Bay’s defense. Since 2022. He’s recorded over 100 total tackles in all four of his NFL seasons. Walker and former Georgia teammate Nakobe Dean will become the Raiders’ new linebacker tandem.

Romeo Doubs

The New England Patriots are signing Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million dollar contract. Doubs has the potential of earning up to $80 million. The Packers were never going to pay Doubs a contract that large, and Doubs fills an immediate need for the Patriots. The Packers will roll with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Matthew Golden, and Savion Williams as their primary group of wide-outs, while Doubs will immediately slide in as the Patriots WR1.

Rasheed Walker

Walker’s market never materialized like most thought it would, but nevertheless, he won’t be back with the Packers. Walker ended up signing a one-year deal worth around $10 million with the Carolina Panthers. Walker was coming off arguably his worst season as a starter, but he was still widely considered the top tackle option on the market. Walker’s deal fills a huge need for the Panthers, while also giving him a chance to hit the market again next offseason. Had Walker gotten the deal many were expecting, the Packers would’ve been slated to earn a third or fourth-round compensatory pick. Instead, the Packers will likely get a sixth-round compensatory pick. Not an ideal situation for Walker or Green Bay.

Emmanuel Wilson

Emmanuel Wilson signed a one-year, $2.1 million with the Seattle Seahawks, which means Green Bay will need someone new to back up Josh Jacobs. This news isn’t unexpected. The Packers decided not to tender Wilson as a restricted free agent, which allowed him to sign wherever he wanted. Brian Gutekunst likely had to choose between bringing back Wilson or Chris Brooks, but not both. Gutekunst ultimately went with the more versatile Brooks. Wilson finds himself in an even better situation. He will have the opportunity to compete for a sizable role after Seattle lost Kenneth Walker III in free agency and with Zach Charbonnet rehabbing a torn ACL.

Zayne Anderson

Special teams ace and safety Zayne Anderson is joining Jeff Hafley in Miami. It is a one-year, $1.22 million deal for Anderson. Anderson played in 40 games for the Packers over the last three seasons, including 590 total snaps on special teams. The Packers chose not to tender Anderson, hinting that his time in the green and gold might be ending. The Packers have plenty of depth at the safety position, but they will miss Anderson’s contributions on special teams. Anderson will likely have a similar role in Miami, but considering the state of Miami’s roster, he could have a chance for substantial playing time on defense as well.

🧀It's been a WILD few days in Green Bay!

As of March 9th at 5:45pm CT

✅RE-SIGNED:
- Nick Neimann (special teams)
- Chris Brooks (RB)
- Sean Rhyan (OL)
- Darian Kinnard (OL)

🔁 TRADED:
-DL Colby Wooden to the COLTS for LB Zaire Franklin (player swap)
- DE Rashan Gary to the… pic.twitter.com/CU3malZ6PR

— CheeseheadTV 🧀 (@cheeseheadtv) March 9, 2026

Trades

DL Colby Wooden for LB Zaire Franklin

The Packers made the unexpected move to trade away defensive lineman Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts for linebacker Zaire Franklin. Franklin, who turns 30 years old in July, will immediately slide into the Mike role on Jonathan Gannon’s defense, a position vacated by Quay Walker. Franklin has been a team captain and second-team All-Pro in his career.

The Colts selected Franklin in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Syracuse. He and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon were together in Indianapolis from 2018 to 2020. Franklin didn’t become a full-time starter until 2021. Franklin’s best season was 2024, when he led the league in tackles, recorded 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and forced five fumbles. 2025 was one of Franklin’s worst since becoming a starter, but he was playing in a new defense and coming off a serious injury.

The Packers will have Franklin under contract for both the 2026 and 2027 seasons. He is due just over $7 million in 2026 and $9 million in 2027, but none of the money left on his deal is guaranteed. The Packers will essentially have a team option for both seasons. Franklin’s contract will also be significantly cheaper than what some of the top options in free agency will command. The Packers are hoping they can get Franklin back to playing as he did in 2024.

TRADE: Packers acquire Colts LB Zaire Franklin in exchange for DT Colby Wooden. (via @rapsheet, @tompelissero) pic.twitter.com/pqXbdrqnq6

— NFL (@NFL) March 7, 2026

DL Rashan Gary for 2027 4th Round Pick

Green Bay got things going on Monday by trading away edge rusher Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2027 fourth-round pick. It was expected that something would happen with Gary’s contract, but many expected him to be released. Instead, the Packers were able to secure a future mid-round draft pick for a player they didn’t want on the team anymore. If the Packers were unable to find a trade partner, Gary would’ve been outright released, so the fact that the Packers were able to get anything in return is a win for Green Bay.

Gary was due $28 million in 2026 and $31 million in 2027 from the Packers, but Green Bay was never going to pay those numbers. By trading Gary, the Packers gained $11 million in savings in 2026 and $31 million in 2027. The Packers will eat $17 million in dead cap money. Gary never recorded a double-digit season in Green Bay. PFF credited Gary with 60 pressures last season, which ranked 26th in the NFL.

#NFL TRADE#Cowboys Acquire
DL Rashan Gary
2026: $19.5M
2027: $22.5M#Packers Acquire
2027 4th-Rd Pick

None of the 2-years, $42M remaining on Gary's deal is guaranteed. Green Bay takes on $17M of dead cap, freeing up $11M of space.

— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 9, 2026

Released

CB Nate Hobbs

The Packers have decided to release cornerback Nate Hobbs just one season into the four-year, $48 million deal he signed last offseason. Hobbs only played in 11 games for the Packers last season. He was due a $6.25 million roster bonus later this week, so the Packers will avoid paying that by releasing him. The Packers ended up paying Hobbs $17.2 million for five starts, two pass breakups, and 27 tackles. The Packers are reportedly designating Hobbs as a June 1 release, meaning they’ll save $8.38 million, with the difference being dumped on the 2027 salary cap.

OL Elgton Jenkins

News broke Monday afternoon that the Packers released guard/center Elgton Jenkins. The release saves the Packers over $19 million in salary cap space. The Packers reportedly explored trading the two-time Pro Bowler, but they were unable to find a trade partner. Jenkins made the move to center last season, but a fractured leg ended his season early. He spent the second half of the season on injured reserve. Green Bay was never going to keep Jenkins on his current contract, so this move shouldn't come as a surprise. Jenkins ended up landing on his feet by agreeing to a two-year, $24 million deal with the Cleveland Browns.

Re-signed

C Sean Rhyan

The Packers re-signed center Sean Rhyan to a new three-year, $33 million deal with $11 million guaranteed. He can reportedly earn up to $39 million with incentives. The new deal makes him one of the NFL’s top-paid centers. Rhyan’s return to Green Bay shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but even he didn’t expect to return. When he was asked last season about returning to Green Bay, he responded with, “If you just look at what we’ve got on the line, I probably won’t be back here. … I don’t know. But right now it doesn’t look good.”

The Packers selected Rhyan in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He didn’t play much in his rookie season other than a bit on special teams. Rhyan got into better shape and started carving out a role in 2023, appearing in 12 games. Most of Rhyan’s time in the NFL has come at right guard, but he officially moved to center in Week 10 of last season. While Rhyan might’ve been new to the position, it was some of the best football he’s played in Green Bay. The Packers are hoping he’s still an ascending player at his new-ish position.

The market for centers is booming. Tyler Linderbaum, who is widely considered the top center in the NFL, is signing a three-year, $81 million deal. Connor McGovern re-signed with the Bills on a four-year, $52 million deal. Rhyan signed a more lucrative deal than Cade Mays, who is signing a three-year, $25 million deal, but Mays is getting more in guaranteed money. The Packers might be overpaying Rhyan, but that's just the price teams pay for quality centers.

#Packers three-year, $33M milliondeal for Sean Rhyan, $11M signing bonus, salaries $1.95M, $1.3M, $5.95M; $6.65M 3rd day 2027 LG yr roster bonus, $3M 3rd day 2028 LG year roster bonus, $44,118 per game active roster bonus annual, $2M Pro Bowl, All-Pro incentive 2028, $2M Pro…

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 9, 2026

OL Darian Kinnard

Darian Kinnard will be back with the Packers on a one-year deal worth up to $3.75 million. Kinnard played 287 snaps last season, 66 coming in six offensive linemen formations. He has guard and tackle versatility and should serve as the team’s top backup lineman next season. The Packers could’ve just placed the restricted free agent tender on Kinnard, which is a one-year, $3.52 million tender, but they came to this compromise instead.

LB Nick Niemann

The Packers brought back key special teamer Nick Niemann on a one-year, $2.25 million deal. With incentives, Niemann can earn up to $3 million. Niemann also got a $500,000 signing bonus. Green Bay recently hired Cam Achord as its new special teams coordinator, so equipping him with as many key special teams pieces as possible was likely a focus for the Packers' front office. Niemann can always play some at linebacker if needed, but most of his contributions will come on special teams.

RB Chris Brooks

Chris Brooks is re-signing with the Packers on a two-year, $4.85 million contract. Brooks brings a unique skill set to the Packers’ offense. According to PFF, Brooks had the highest pass blocking grade (70.8) and run blocking grade (86.8) amongst all eligible running backs. Brooks should play a very similar role next season as Green Bay's third running back.

LB Kristian Welch

The Packers are bringing back Kristian Welch. He's a lifelong Wisconsinite and Packers fan, and now he'll come back for his third season with the team. Welch is known for his abilities on special teams. The Packers released him last season as part of the final roster cuts last August, but he was brought back on the practice squad. He bounced back and forth between the active roster and the practice squad, which could be his fate again in 2026. 

WR/CB Bo Melton

Bo Melton will return for his fourth season with the Green Bay Packers, though it shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Melton was an Exclusive Rights Free Agent, meaning the Packers held all the leverage. Melton was a cool story throughout training camp last season after transitioning from wide receiver to cornerback, but he really made a name for himself as a core special teams player. The Packers undoubtedly value Melton's versatility and his contributions on special teams, so the decision to bring him back was a no-brainer. 

EDGE Brenton Cox

Brenton Cox will be back again for what will be his fourth season in the green and gold. Cox signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal, according to his agents. Cox signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent back in 2023, but has seen limited game action over his three-year tenure. He's recorded five sacks and two forced fumbles in 15 total games. His 2025 season was marred by injury, but he's shown signs of being able to rush the passer before. He will likely compete for the fifth pass-rusher position in Jonathan Gannon's system.

TE Josh Whyle

The Packers are bringing back fourth-year tight end Josh Whyle. It’ll be a one-year deal for Whyle, who was scheduled to be a restricted free agent. Whyle joined the Packers’ practice squad last season after roster cutdowns. He was promoted to the active roster in November after the Packers lost Tucker Kraft to a season-ending knee injury. Whyle ended up playing in nine games for the Packers. He contributed 199 offensive snaps and 58 special teams snaps. Whyle will be one of the favorites to lock up the third tight end spot with John FitzPatrick expected to miss most of the season with an Achilles injury.

DL Jonathan Ford

Jonathan Ford is back again with the team that drafted him. It’s a one-year deal for $1.5 million, but his signing bonus is only $100,000, which means he will have to earn his spot on the team. The Packers drafted Ford in the seventh round of the 2022 draft, but he never saw any game action until he signed with the Chicago Bears. Ford played in 12 games for the Bears over the span of two seasons, but rejoined the Packers late last season. At 6’5”, 338 lbs, Ford has the body and the build to be a key cog in helping the Packers stop the run. He also has experience as a nose tackle, something the Packers desperately need. He will have every chance throughout training camp to earn his spot on the roster, but it’s far from a guarantee.

Kamal Hadden

The Packers are bringing back Kamal Hadden on a one-year, $1.005 million deal. Hadden was an exclusive rights free agent, so he didn't really have any control over the situation, but Hadden showed some positive signs toward the end of last season. Unfortunately, Hadden suffered a season-ending ankle injury. It was initially reported that it would be a four or five-month recovery process. Hadden shared on X that he's already been doing some light jogging and movements. He should be in a solid position to compete for a roster spot again next season.

Donovan Jennings

Donovan Jennings is also returning to the Packers for his third season with the team. Jennings was an exclusive rights free agent. His contract won't be expensive, and there will be next to no money guaranteed. Jennings hasn't exactly demonstrated the ability to be a competent backup offensive lineman, but he's still young, and the Packers prioritized signing him as an undrafted free agent back in 2024. He will compete for one of the backup interior offensive line spots again in 2026.

Restructured Contracts

Xavier McKinney

The Packers opened up a little over $9 million in cap space by restructuring Xavier McKinney’s contract. The team reportedly did a max-void restructure, which tacks on multiple void years to the end of the deal to spread out some of the money. The move doesn’t change anything for McKinney, but it allowed the team to open up some much-needed space.

Appears as if the Packers did a max-void restructure on Xavier McKinney.

🔁$11,535,000 salary & roster bonus to signing bonus
📈$9,228,000 cap space created for 2026
🚫3 Void Years added pic.twitter.com/Uebth280dD

— Ken - Packers Cap (@KenIngalls) March 5, 2026

Aaron Banks

Green Bay also restructured Aaron Banks’ contract, opening up some more cap space. The move pretty much solidifies that Banks will be on the team for 2026 and 2027. Banks didn’t play particularly well last season, but he was also dealing with multiple injuries for much of the year. The team clearly thinks highly of Banks, and the decision to restructure his deal proves that.