Kingsley Enagbare will be a tough call for the front office. (Photo: Jacob Morley, USA TODAY Sports)
By Mark Eckel
An offseason of major decisions for the Green Bay Packers is officially underway.
Before the team decides to add to its roster via free agency (starts March 11) or the NFL draft (April 24-25) it will decide how many of its 10 unrestricted, and seven restricted free agents it will keep.
History tells us that if the Packers want to keep a player they usually do and a deal gets done before the start of free agency. Once a Packer hits the open market, with very few exceptions, he's gone.
Here is the list of the players the Packers will decide whether to keep or let go.
Unrestricted
S Zayne Anderson — The special teams ace won't command much on the open market and will likely return for a little over the veteran minimum.
WR Romeo Doubs — In a perfect non-cap world the Packers would bring Doubs back. This isn't that. Several teams will be in the market for a good No. 2 receiver and make Doubs their prime target. When the Packers spent first and third-round picks on wide receivers in the 2025 draft it was preparing for this.
DE Kingsley Enagbare — If he's willing to accept good backup money he might be back. If another team thinks he can be a starter, he'll be headed there.
TE John Fitzpatrick — A backup coming off a bad injury, probably won't be back.
LB Nick Niemann — Health will be a factor here as well. The team liked him as their top special teams guy so if he's healthy they will want him back in the same role.
C Sean Rhyan — Should be the No. 1 priority. They are not going to do better at center either in free agency or in the draft.
LB Quay Walker — This might be new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon's call. Does Walker fit with what he wants to do? If the answer is yes try to get him back. If not, he's gone.
T Rasheed Walker — It's hard to see him coming back after a sub-par year and with No. 1 pick Jordan Morgan waiting to take over at his natural left tackle position.
LB Kristian Welch — He was on the practice squad until Niemann got hurt, so he's not a high priority at his point.
QB Malik Willis — It would have been great if the team could have come to terms on a new deal with Willis a year ago. Now after another good year as Jordan Love's backup, Willis stands to get big money to be someone's starter.
Restricted
The low, right-of-first refusal tender figures to be right around $3.5 million on a one-year deal. So the team will have to decide if the following players are worth that.
RB Chris Brooks — The coaching staff seems to like him. But is a strictly third-down back worth $3.5 million? they may try to work out a longer, cheaper deal.
DE Brenton Cox — Cox's 2025 season was ruined by injury. He may be worth the one-year deal, especially if Gannon likes him as an edge rusher.
DT Jon Ford — He was picked up late when the position was desperate. Probably won't be back.
OL Darian Kinnard — His experience and versatility is huge. The one-year deal might be ok. But a longer deal could be in the works.
DE Aaron Mosby — Started the year on the practice squad before being promoted to play special teams. Probably not back.
RB Emmanuel Wilson — Will be a tough decision. In the one game he was featured, he played well. Is it enough to warrant the $3.5 tender? We'll see.
TE Josh Whylie — No. 3 tight end showed some flashes. They may not give him the tender, but then try to sign him for less.