Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson stepped up big-time in 2025 covering for an injured Josh Jacobs. In Week 12 against Minnesota, he rushed for 107 yards and two scores – the only 100-yard game a Packers back had all year. In Week 16’s overtime crusher in Chicago, Wilson scampered for 82 yards on just 14 carries. Green Bay still clearly leaned on Jacobs when healthy enough to play, but Wilson finished the season with six games of at least 40 rushing yards.
His dependability as a backup has earned him at least a partially guaranteed deal in restricted free agency, predicts ESPN’s Bill Barnwell. It would be the first such contract of Wilson’s young career.
Wilson has played his way into a payday
Barnwell classes Wilson in his Tier 5 at the running back position: by definition, “Backups likely to net guaranteed money.” The estimated annual salary in this tier is $1.5-3 million.
For Wilson, who went undrafted out of Fort Valley State college, that would represent a sizable step up. First signed by the Broncos, the 26-year-old back has not had a dollar guaranteed any season in the NFL. Last season in Green Bay, he made just over $1 million.
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) bulls his way forward during the third quarter of their game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
As a restricted free agent, he’s likely to remain a Packer in year four. “Restricted free agents almost never change hands in the modern NFL,” observes Barnwell. But Wilson is due a raise and some kind of surety. Over the past two years, he has sneakily rushed for nearly 1K yards – 998 yards to be exact, on 4.4 per carry. Wilson has reached the end zone seven times on the ground. He also has a higher first down percentage than Jacobs, 25.9% versus 23.9.%.
That doesn’t mean the Packers should re-think their depth chart, of course, but it goes to show that Wilson has been a more than serviceable backup. They should treat him as such in free agency this offseason.
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