GREEN BAY, Wis. — It seems that Saturday is roster-building day for the Green Bay Packers' linebackers.
In addition to acquiring former All-Pro linebacker Zaire Franklin in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts, the Packers also re-signed special teams ace and linebacker Nick Niemann to a one-year deal, according to Sports Illustrated.
Niemann, 28, will ensure that the Packers carry five linebackers into the 2026 campaign. Edgerrin Cooper and Franklin headline the room, with Isaiah McDuffie, Ty'Ron Hopper and Niemann rounding it out. The acquisition of Franklin all but guarantees that the Packers are moving on from Quay Walker, a former first-round pick who had his fifth-year option in his rookie contract declined by the team. He's going to enter unrestricted free agency next week and cash in with a relatively lucrative payday.
Like Walker, Niemann was scheduled to hit the open market next week, too. Instead, the Packers will keep him in the mix for new special teams coordinator Cam Achord. Achord was hired last week as the successor to Rich Bisaccia, who surprisingly stepped down from his role to join Dabo Swinney's staff at Clemson.
Niemann was drafted in the sixth round by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021. At the conclusion of his rookie contract, Niemann tested the free-agent market for the first time in his career, signing a two-year deal with the Houston Texans. However, he would be released during roster cut-downs in August and ultimately claimed off of waivers by the Packers.
Nick Niemann celebrating after a tackle in a game against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 7. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
He was something of a godsend for a special teams unit in Green Bay that has routinely performed below even average standards. Whether it was Bisaccia, Maurice Drayton or Shawn Mennenga at the helm as coordinator, head coach Matt LaFleur has continued to watch the unit struggle on a yearly basis. While there have been some positive moments through the years—Irish-born punter Daniel Whelan blossoming into a top player at his position or Keisean Nixon earning All-Pro honors as a return man and leading the league in return yardage in back-to-back years—the Packers have largely struggled in that phase of the game.
With 114 special teams snaps through seven games to begin his first season with the Packers, he sustained a pectoral injury in the Oct. 26 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The injury effectively ended his regular season, but he was activated from injured reserve in time for the team's Wild Card bout with the Chicago Bears. He took the roster spot of Swiss Army knife Bo Melton, who was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Despite missing 10 games, Niemann still finished the year tied for the team lead with 10 special teams tackles.
The Packers will have some work ahead of them to get back under the salary cap by the start of the new league year on March 11. They're currently listed with just south of $2.8 million dollars in cap space, but that's before Franklin's contract and Niemann's extensions are processed. Franklin's cap hit for 2026 will fall a tick over $7 million dollars—he'll carry a $6.24 million dollar signing bonus in addition to $765,000 in per-game roster bonuses—but the Packers will likely convert that number into a signing bonus for cap relief.
Niemann is the second player to be issued an extension by the Packers this offseason, joining running back Chris Brooks. Rather than signing his restricted free-agent tender—a deal that would've been a one-year contract worth $3.52 million dollars—the Packers and Brooks agreed to a two-year deal worth $4.85 million. His average annual value falls north of $2.4 million and will likely include a signing bonus, allowing the Packers flexibility to structure the contract how they please.
Zachary Jacobson is the Editor-in-Chief of Packer Report. He is entering his 12th season covering theGreen Bay Packers. He is a member of thePro Football Writers of America. Follow him on Twitter@zacobson or contact him via email atitszachariahj@gmail.com