Packers 2026 Offseason

[GAME05]

No QB picked Rounds 5-7 would surprise me.

[CheezWizHed]

22 hours ago, GAME05 said:

No QB picked Rounds 5-7 would surprise me.

I'm 50/50 on drafting a QB.  While I don't think we have anyone that makes me feel comfortable back there... I could easily see them skip it in the draft (given the lack of picks) and go after a vet FA or another TC trade (using a pick from 2027 where they have several late round picks).

It isn't like a 5-7th round QB is ready to help you out in 2026 anyway.

[patrickgpe]

23 hours ago, GAME05 said:

No QB picked Rounds 5-7 would surprise me.

They need to get a vet somehow. they can't go into the season with a day 3 QB and Desmond Ridder. 

[LouisEly]

Bill Huber who covers the Packers for Sports Illustrated said that the Packers brought in a quarterback on a top 30 visit, but they asked Huber not to publish his name.

It has to be someone they are really high on to ask him to keep it on the down-low.  And it has to be someone who is realistically expected to go no later than round 5; I highly doubt he would be asked to keep quiet on a 6th/7th/UDFA type, as they named Behren Morton (#295 on the consensus board).

A UDFA wouldn't make any sense as that QB is free to sign with anyone, and all another team has to do is offer a higher signing bonus and the Packers lose him.  Has to be someone with a draftable grade.

 

[LouisEly]

The Packers released three players last week, two of whom are somewhat interesting.

LB Jamon Johnson, who the Packers gave the 2nd most guaranteed $ as a UDFA last year, was one.  It was reported that he was released with a "non-football injury" designation.  

CB Tyron Herring was the other.  While he was just a practice squad guy, this leaves only five true CBs on the roster.  Bo Melton is listed as a CB, but he has yet to play a snap on defense.  Last year they went into camp with 9 CBs, so they will likely bring in at least three between draft picks and UDFAs. 

Could also mean that they plan on investing a somewhat high pick at WR, and Melton is going to move to CB for good, leaving the WR room as Watson/Golden/Reed/Williams/draft pick/Moore.  A somewhat high pick at WR would help keep Moore's offensive snap count % down, making it less likely that he cancels out the comp pick for Rasheed Walker.

[adambr2]

Jayden Reed extended , 3 years, $50M. This feels cheap for what the WR market looks like. 

[JosephC]

There are reports that Jayden Reed just signed a 3-year, 50.25 million dollar extension.

[BrewerFan]

23 hours ago, adambr2 said:

Jayden Reed extended , 3 years, $50M. This feels cheap for what the WR market looks like. 

Certainly feels like a hometown discount(or maybe just a discount given he has a year left). 

After another healthy year, I think 20M a year was a pretty safe bet. 

Now Wyatt, Watson, Kraft still need extensions. 

[jay87shot]

After the draft are there any specific trade options that could make sense for us. Kayvon Thibedoeau comes to mind as an interesting option. The Giants have Burns, Carter, and now Reece, I would think Tibs could be had for cheap and going into a contract year he would be primed for a big season especially when Micah come back.

I think maybe a backup QB from the Eagles could make sense as well they drafted Cole Payton and Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton. I know they wanted alot for McKee early in the year but if he could be had for a 6th or something that could be solid. Maybe Dillion Gabriel depending on how the Browns QB depth shakes out.

I am sure there are some other decent options I am not thinking of.

[patrickgpe]

On 4/19/2026 at 7:00 PM, LouisEly said:

Bill Huber who covers the Packers for Sports Illustrated said that the Packers brought in a quarterback on a top 30 visit, but they asked Huber not to publish his name.

It has to be someone they are really high on to ask him to keep it on the down-low.  And it has to be someone who is realistically expected to go no later than round 5; I highly doubt he would be asked to keep quiet on a 6th/7th/UDFA type, as they named Behren Morton (#295 on the consensus board).

A UDFA wouldn't make any sense as that QB is free to sign with anyone, and all another team has to do is offer a higher signing bonus and the Packers lose him.  Has to be someone with a draftable grade.

 

it was reported that this QB was Kyle Drones. https://lombardiave.com/packers-just-signed-rookie-qb-tried-keep-secret-before-draft. By the way, it does make sense that it was a UDFA, why would you want other teams sniffing around your secret weapon and saying, "well the Packers brought him in for a top 30 visit, we should look at this guy closer." Its chess not checkers. 

[CheezWizHed]

4 hours ago, patrickgpe said:

it was reported that this QB was Kyle Drones. https://lombardiave.com/packers-just-signed-rookie-qb-tried-keep-secret-before-draft. By the way, it does make sense that it was a UDFA, why would you want other teams sniffing around your secret weapon and saying, "well the Packers brought him in for a top 30 visit, we should look at this guy closer." Its chess not checkers. 

Of course, it came out a day later who the "secret" was.  So all it did was draw more attention than just bringint him in normally.

[BrewerFan]

6 hours ago, jay87shot said:

After the draft are there any specific trade options that could make sense for us. Kayvon Thibedoeau comes to mind as an interesting option. The Giants have Burns, Carter, and now Reece, I would think Tibs could be had for cheap and going into a contract year he would be primed for a big season especially when Micah come back.

I think maybe a backup QB from the Eagles could make sense as well they drafted Cole Payton and Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton. I know they wanted alot for McKee early in the year but if he could be had for a 6th or something that could be solid. Maybe Dillion Gabriel depending on how the Browns QB depth shakes out.

I am sure there are some other decent options I am not thinking of.

 I thought of Thibedoeau before we drafted another edge. I don't think we have room for him at this point.

Van Ness, Dennis-Sutton, Sorrell, Oliver, Parsons... then Mosby or Cox as the 6th(at least to start the year). I think we're pretty good there. 

The Giants are starting to build a pretty talented young team...

[jay87shot]

10 hours ago, BrewerFan said:

 I thought of Thibedoeau before we drafted another edge. I don't think we have room for him at this point.

Van Ness, Dennis-Sutton, Sorrell, Oliver, Parsons... then Mosby or Cox as the 6th(at least to start the year). I think we're pretty good there. 

The Giants are starting to build a pretty talented young team...

I think my worry at edge is that if Micah is out say 4-6 games that group is really rough. Sure Van Ness, Sutton, and Sorrell have some upside but none have done anything. That doesn't account for injuries either or Micah taking longer to heal. Thib would likely only cost a late round pick and financially work. 

The Giants have some talent for sure, to be honest if I were them I would just keep all 4. I would have Reese and Carter play a little off ball LB and on 3rd downs just have all 4 create a fierce 4 man pass rush.

[LouisEly]

12 hours ago, BrewerFan said:

 I thought of Thibedoeau before we drafted another edge. I don't think we have room for him at this point.

Van Ness, Dennis-Sutton, Sorrell, Oliver, Parsons..

I agree, but Thibodeaux straight up for Sorrell or Oliver with the Giants converting $5M of salary to signing bonus before the trade would be tempting.

I just wonder if the Packers need Thibodeaux's salary for signing bonuses to extend Kraft/Wyatt/Watson.  And I think both Kraft and the Packers want to wait to see where Kraft is from his recovery first before that happens.

[CheezWizHed]

On 4/24/2026 at 4:30 PM, JosephC said:

There are reports that Jayden Reed just signed a 3-year, 50.25 million dollar extension.

I think this is a great deal for the Packers.  Reed has had injury issues, but his upside is much higher than Doubs, IMO and just signed for less.  

[JosephC]

Packers will be about 30 million under the cap after June 1, but I'm guessing they would want to go into the season about 15 million under the cap and would prefer to be about 20 million under the cap.  Thibodeaux is not cheap in that context.  He'd be a 14.7 million dollar cap hit, and hasn't been an impact player after flashing in 2023 (only 8 sacks total over the last two years).  Getting him probably wipes out all the available money they have.

Would much rather bargain shop free agents in the 2-3 million range and look at OL, RB, TE and maybe a WR to fill the Wicks opening.  One-year only bandage type contracts.  OT-DJ Humphries would be worth a look.  RB-Nick Chubb got into 15 games last year (9 starts), he would only be looked at as a backup option which may keep him healthier as the year goes along.  I'm guessing TE-David Njoku would rather sit on the couch than play for <3 million, but at this point it wouldn't hurt to ask.  WR-JuJu Smith-Schuster is another player well past his prime and would be cheap.  He can compete with Savion Williams for that #4 receiver spot, he posted similar reception/receiving yards/receiving touchdown numbers to Wicks in 2025 and gives a 4th WR option if Williams turns out to be a bust (and even as a broken down old man, is still very likely to be a better pass catching option than Moore or Melton.

[CheezWizHed]

To think about where a FA fits, I figured a review of the depth chart makes sense:

QB (2): Love, Ridder, McCord, Drones - Seems like we don't have much of a backup this year.  

RB (3): Jacobs, Lloyd, Brooks, Strong, Martinez, Nixon - Lloyd brings upside and injures... Not much depth there, but I'm guessing there are good candidates at cut-down if needed.

WR (6): Watson, Reed, Golden, Williams, Melton, Moore, Keeney-James, Nayor, Sheppard, Sturdivant - Three strong contributors.  Williams could be interesting this year.  I think they have some good development candidates too in JKJ and Sturdivant. Moore is probably KR/PR only. 

TE (3): Kraft, Musgrave, Whyle, Dabney, Swinson, Falayi , Maryland - Dabney might have a bit of upside as a blocking/recieving TE, but we could use more two-way TEs, especially with Kraft coming off his injury.

OL (10): Tom, Morgan, Belton, Banks, Rhyan, Kinnard, Glover, Williams, Burton, Jennings, Monk, Barnhart, Barrett, Gesky, Banks, Cooper - Kennard as our main T backup with an inexperienced Morgan and injured Tom at the Ts with Glover as the "development" candidate doesn't feel great, but I don't think it will improve.  Zero experienced guard depth either, but I like William's upside. 

DL(6): Wyatt, Hargrave, Brooks, Brinson, McClellan, Stackhouse, Ford, Riley, Campbell, Crumedy, Ester. - This looks very solid now.  Plus, Riley probably starts on the PUP if you need another body later.  Plus, LVN probably rushes the passer from one of these positions in nickel or dime defenses. 

OLB(5): Parsons, LVN, Sorrell, Oliver, DDS, Cox, Mosby, Barnett. Decent talent here, but very inexperienced.  If there is someone available, this might be helpful given Parsons is out for at least 4 games to start the season. 

MLB (5): Cooper, Franklin, McDuffie, Hopper, Niemann, Welch, Quinn - Solid 5. Would love to see Hopper (upside) displace McDuffie (solid steady performer) this year.  Not much for PS development.  Welch is a decent Neimann insurance policy. 

CB (6): Nixon, St-Juste, Cisse, Valentine, Jackson, Hadden, Bartholomew. I think everyone would like more of an upgrade here, but you pretty much have to get rid of Nixon or Valentine to justify and addition here.  

S (4): McKinney, Williams, Bullard, Oladapo, Baldwin, Simpson, Perry, Kenion - Solid top 4.  The last DB spot probably comes down between Hadden and whichever S is best on ST. 

So my biggest post Draft needs:

1. Backup QB
   1. Aaron Rodgers - just kidding!
   2. Tyrod Taylor could do a pretty good Malik impression
   3. Wouldn't surprise me if they do another post TC addition (trade or waiver). 
2. Backup G
   1. Greg Van Roten - Not sure if he'd take a backup G position, but if not, there are a ton of other experienced Gs that could easily take Jennings' spot. 
3. Experienced OLB
   1. Haason Reddick, Von Miller - VonMiller could be very interesting across from Parsons come the playoffs. 
4. Blocking TE but still a reception threat (i.e. Marcedes Lewis clone)
   1. David Njoku - might be too $$, but now (post-draft) he might be reasonable. 
   2. Darren Waller - Not the blocking TE I suggest, but a long time Packer target. 
5. CB upgrade for Nixon/Valentine
   1. Marshon Lattimore - again it might take a bunch of $$, but even a one year deal might be worth it. 
   2. Sneed - injury prone the last two years, but solid with KC.
   3. Diggs - Unless he thought he was going to get a big deal, I assume the Packer's interest has passed. 

[jay87shot]

Somehow I missed us signing Desmond Ridder....... I was confused when reading that last post. I am actually really good with him as the backup. He was 6-7 with a pretty bad 2023 Falcons team at a 24. Is he perfect, not by a long shot, however as a backup for a couple games he is solid.

I think depth is fine across the board but if we have 30 million to spend I would go get a vet offensive line man, corner, or pass rusher. 

[Underachiever]

Lloyd brings upside and injures...

That is a very optimistic take on Lloyd. His career ratio of IR placements to carries is 1:1 right now. 6 placements on IR, six carries.

[LouisEly]

3 hours ago, Underachiever said:

Lloyd brings upside and injures...

That is a very optimistic take on Lloyd. His career ratio of IR placements to carries is 1:1 right now. 6 placements on IR, six carries.

Garrison Hearst only played in 14 games over his first two seasons and rushed for less than 500 combined yards.  He went on to have a very productive career.  It's not unprecedented.

[LouisEly]

LVN's 5th year option is due in 3 days.  According to Over the Cap, it's $13.7M

I doubt they pick it up if they didn't pick it up for Quay Walker.  I wouldn't be opposed to giving him $13.7M but not for just one year.  It would have to be $13M in guarantees on something like a 3/$30M extension.  Enagbare got 1/$9M (most of it guaranteed), so that's about what LVN is worth right now.

$9M signing bonus plus $4M guaranteed 2027 salary,  $7M 2027 cap hit.  Only $6M dead cap if he doesn't continue to improve, but under contract for multiple years if he does continue to improve.

[BrewerFan]

14 hours ago, jay87shot said:

I think my worry at edge is that if Micah is out say 4-6 games that group is really rough. Sure Van Ness, Sutton, and Sorrell have some upside but none have done anything. That doesn't account for injuries either or Micah taking longer to heal. Thib would likely only cost a late round pick and financially work. 

The Giants have some talent for sure, to be honest if I were them I would just keep all 4. I would have Reese and Carter play a little off ball LB and on 3rd downs just have all 4 create a fierce 4 man pass rush.

I don't think there's any reason to think Parsons is going to be out 6 weeks, but if there is, Thibodeaux is a pretty similar player to LVN(LVN had a higher grade last year). 

Financially it CAN work. It'd eat up nearly 15M in cap space that I would think they'd want for extensions... and if they're going to do make a move for a player like Thibodeaux, Clowney is available. 

 

 

12 hours ago, LouisEly said:

I agree, but Thibodeaux straight up for Sorrell or Oliver with the Giants converting $5M of salary to signing bonus before the trade would be tempting.

If the Giants are eating 5M of his cap hit that would make it easier. You're losing 3 years of cheap upside in Oliver and Sorrell, both of whom have been staying with and training with Parsons this off-season. I guess how you view those two would have a big impact.  I thought Sorrell looked really good at times last year. I think he'll be a good rotational edge.

Oliver is a pretty big swing, but easier to justify as a 3-4 OLBer. His speed, he could be a 3rd down specialist while Thibodeaux is more of a well rounded Edge and it seems like there's still a lot more upside in there.
We could just make it Abdul-Carter and go with a Penn State Edge rotation.  

 

What other positions do you think we'd be targeting? Run blocking TE? MyCole Pruitt is available(and cheap)... 
Feels like the Packers have to be higher on someone like Glover than we realize, otherwise I think they'd be doing more to find a swing OT. 
RB could be helpful. 

[BrewerFan]

5 hours ago, LouisEly said:

Garrison Hearst only played in 14 games over his first two seasons and rushed for less than 500 combined yards.  He went on to have a very productive career.  It's not unprecedented.

Lloyd has had comically bad luck... but according to those who cover the Packers, he's looked great in TC the last couple years. 

They sent Lloyd to the Badger Athletic Performance Center... which has done a pretty good job in recent years of helping guys like Watson, Stokes, Williams stay healthy(at least from things like hamstring injuries or calf injuries). 
I wouldn't count on Lloyd, but... it'd be nice. He adds an element this team has missed since we moved on from Aaron Jones. 
 

[CheezWizHed]

18 hours ago, Underachiever said:

Lloyd brings upside and injures...

That is a very optimistic take on Lloyd. His career ratio of IR placements to carries is 1:1 right now. 6 placements on IR, six carries.

I'm not sure how that is "optimistic"... Upside simply means unrealized potential (which is what his draft profile, RAS, and TC performances have shown).  Then I pointed out the injuries (even if I spelled it wrong in the OP).  It isn't like I said he was going to gain 500 yards this year. I didn't even claim he'd stay healthy.  

My final comment about a backup RB being easier find was more along the expectation if/when Lloyd is injured we'd probably go find someone then...rather than bring in a FA now. 

14 hours ago, LouisEly said:

LVN's 5th year option is due in 3 days.  According to Over the Cap, it's $13.7M

I doubt they pick it up if they didn't pick it up for Quay Walker.  I wouldn't be opposed to giving him $13.7M but not for just one year.  It would have to be $13M in guarantees on something like a 3/$30M extension.  Enagbare got 1/$9M (most of it guaranteed), so that's about what LVN is worth right now.

$9M signing bonus plus $4M guaranteed 2027 salary,  $7M 2027 cap hit.  Only $6M dead cap if he doesn't continue to improve, but under contract for multiple years if he does continue to improve.

I think $13.7M is probably pretty close to the low-end market for a starting edge player; next FA year will probably exceed it.  I agree that they will try to get an extension first, but I'd guess they will keep him either way. 

[LouisEly]

16 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

I think $13.7M is probably pretty close to the low-end market for a starting edge player; next FA year will probably exceed it. 

LVN and Enagbare are very close in a lot of metrics.  

KE is listed at 6'4", 258 and is 26 years old: LVN is listed at 6'5", 272, and is soon to turn 25.  Looking at 2025 numbers, LVN only played in 9 games; if you extrapolate that to 17 games:

KE: 2 sacks, 15 pressures, 39 tackles, 6 TFLs, played 42% of snaps.

LVN (extrapolated to 17 games): 3 sacks, 22 pressures, 36 tackles, 6 TFLs, 45% of snaps.

While LVNs extrapolated numbers are a little better, they are not markedly better, and the numbers are extrapolated - some discounting because of injury risk needs to be taken.

I do expect LVN to get more on the open market than KE, but not a lot more.  $13M in guarantees is more than the $8M in guarantees that KE got.