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Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
The Green Bay Packers have locked down one of their running backs for the next few seasons with less than a week to go until the start of 2026 NFL free agency.
According to One West Sports Group, the Packers have agreed to terms with running back Chris Brooks on a two-year, $4.85 million contract that will tie him to the team through the 2027 season. He would have become a restricted free agent on March 11.
One West Sports Group
Running back Chris Brooks and the #Packers have agreed to terms on a 2 year deal worth $4.85m. #OWSG
Brooks has averaged 4.6 yards per carry as the Packers’ third-string running back over the past two years, playing more special teams snaps (459) than offensive snaps (423). With Emanuel Wilson — their No. 2 back — set to hit free agency, though, Brooks could have an opportunity to earn an increased role behind starter Josh Jacobs in 2026.
The Packers also have Jacobs and MarShawn Lloyd, their 2024 third-round pick, under contract for the next two seasons, but it is unclear how much Lloyd can offer after he missed the majority of his first two seasons — including all of 2025 — with injuries.
Free agency will begin at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11, when the new league year turns over to 2026, but the legal tampering period will start at noon ET on March 9.
Will Packers Draft RB After Chris Brooks Extension?
The Packers have another one of last year’s running backs under contract now for the 2026 season, but it is fair to wonder whether they may still add more to their backfield with one of their selections in the 2026 NFL draft in a little less than two months.
Jacobs’ spot as the No. 1 back in Green Bay appears secure for 2026. While there were trade rumors about Jacobs in the earliest parts of the offseason after a dip in his usage last season, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters at the 2026 NFL Combine that Jacobs would “absolutely’ return as the team’s starter next season.
The No. 2/complementary back is a more challenging role for the Packers to figure out. Wilson is likely to walk after Brooks’ extension, making Brooks and Lloyd the top two candidates to push for snaps behind Jacobs, but Lloyd has played far too few snaps for the Packers to blindly place their confidence in him, even if they remain optimistic.
To avoid injury trouble, the Packers could reasonably decide to invest one of their draft picks — likely a Day 3 selection — into a new running back to improve the competition at the position. If they have several late-round options on their board, they could also wait until after the draft and target a UDFA running back, as they did with Wilson.
Who Else Could Packers Extend Before Free Agency?
The window is closing for the Packers to reach new agreements with their pending free agents, at least in terms of their exclusive negotiating windows. Teams are permitted to start negotiations as soon as the clock strikes noon ET next Monday, March 9, and it is an open secret that plenty of the legwork on eventual deals is completed beforehand.
Even still, there are a few more free agents whom the Packers could extend before then.
The Packers won’t likely have the resources or interest in bringing back some of their biggest starters due to hit free agency, such as backup quarterback Malik Willis, wide receiver Romeo Doubs, linebacker Quay Walker and left tackle Rasheed Walker. If they wanted to retain one of them, though, they could make a lucrative deal fit their budget.
Of their pending unrestricted free agents, though, edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare might make the most sense as a re-signing candidate, especially if they release Rashan Gary. He has provided quality depth off the edge and could potentially re-sign for a low price.
The Packers also have several other restricted and exclusive-rights free agents. Safety Zayne Anderson and edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr. could receive similar contract offers to Brooks, ones that offer less per-year money than the lowest-level restricted tender but more years. Bo Melton and Lecitus Smith are also no-brainers on ERFA tenders.