Sam and Joe have to shake their heads at all the attention and betting bumps that the Green Bay Packers have gotten since acquiring Micah Parsons.
Daniel Whelan’s improbable journey to becoming the Green Bay Packers’ starting punter is set to continue.
The Packers announced Thursday Whelan signed a contract extension. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Friday the deal was worth $6.2 million for two years with a $2.1 million signing bonus. The deal was announced just ahead of the team’s season opener against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
Whelan has registered two of the top three single-season averages for punting in franchise history, posting a 46.2 yard average in 2023 — good for second-best — and a 46.1-yard mark in 2024, according to the Packers’ website. He also has the best career punting average in team history (46.2 yards) among players with at least 100 punts.
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The deal, Whelan said, means he’ll attempt to do more of the same.
“It definitely means they see what I’m doing and know what I’m capable of. So as long as I’m putting the right foot forward and still progressing each day, then I think we’re both on the same page,” Whelan told reporters Friday in a video posted on the Packers’ website.
This extension secures the immediate future for Whelan, whose journey included such oddities as practicing holding kicks in his kitchen with his mother among others. It also locks up a successful trio of special teams players.
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The offseason had already seen the Packers re-sign kicker Brandon McManus and extend long snapper Matt Orzech, both until 2027.
Rich Basaccia, Green Bay’s assistant coach and special teams coordinator, lauded Whelan for the deal. He told reporters in a video on the team’s website that he’d been impressed with Whelan for some time and has seen tremendous growth.
Chief among Whelan’s skills, Basaccia said, is his ability to direct punts in the red zone to pin opposing teams back.
“I think the big thing for him – and he would say the same thing – is for his consistency level to improve on a punt-in and punt-out basis throughout the game. And we’re excited about the direction he’s going in,” Basaccia said.
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Now with the deal finalized. It’s rare, based on such aspects as player ages, contract and performance, that a team can keep a successful trio — or battery as Bisaccia calls it — together for several years. It’s a blessing, he said, to have one locked up for a few seasons.
“Organizationally, we’re excited about having those guys. We’re not really worried about the future to some degree, we’re worried about getting better,” Bisaccia said.
Whelan echoed the sentiment, adding that working with McManus and Orzech has increased his abilities and confidence.
“We definitely have the potential to be the best in the league. And I think if we’re together for a couple more years, as well, we’ll be just as fine,” Whelan said. “That just shows the confidence they have in us three.”
Photos: Packers close preseason with win over Seahawks
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Green Bay Packers' Israel Abanikanda recovers his own fumble in front of Seattle Seahawks' Drake Thomas during the first half on Saturday. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers' Malik Willis throws during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Kingsley Enagbare (55) recovers a fumble against the Seattle Seahawks during a preseason game on Saturday. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers' Will Sheppard celebrates his touchdown reception in the stands with fans during the first half of a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (22) catches the ball in front of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) during a preseason game Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers cornerback Kalen King (34) reacts with teammates after an interception against the Seattle Seahawks during a preseason game Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers' Taylor Elgersma thorws during the first half of a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers' Sean Clifford throws during the first half of a preseason game Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Seattle Seahawks' Jalen Milroe scrambles during the second half of a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers' Tyrion Davis-Price runs during the second half of a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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The Green Bay Packers defense celebrates a fumble recovery during the second half of a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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