The Green Bay Packers have some very talented players on their roster. Players like Micah Parsons, Xavier McKinney, and Jordan Love get plenty of attention from the local and national media. But the Packers have another elite player who we hardly hear anything about, but who deserves more respect from fans and media alike and that is punter Daniel Whelan.
In 2025, Whelan accomplished something that had never happened in the first century plus of Packers football. He led the NFL in punting. While playing in the wind swept, frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Whelan set a Packers franchise record last season by averaging 51.7 yards per punt which led the NFL in gross average. He placed 18 punts inside the opponent’s 20 and had just eight touchbacks on the season. Somehow, he was not voted to the All-Pro Team although Pro Football Focus voted him to their All-Pro Team.
The Packers special teams have struggled for years but punting has not been a problem since Whelan arrived in 2023. Whelan has also done a good job for the Packers as the team’s holder for field goals and extra points.
Entering training camp for the 2026 campaign, Whelan and long snapper Matt Orzech are the only two players on the roster with zero competition at their respective positions. Whelan is under contract with the Packers through the 2027 season, so the Packers appear set at punter for the next two years.
Orzech has been impressed by Whelan since he arrived in Green Bay. “Bombs,” Whelan said in January when asked about Whelan’s punts. “Honestly. From the day he showed up from the UFL, it was immediately obvious that his leg explosion was pretty impressive. I’ve never seen somebody who hits 5.0-plus [hangtime] punts consistently. Even in crazy wind or cold, there’s still going to be a 5.0 on the chart for the day, which is unbelievable. It’s crazy.”
Bo Melton, who has played on punt coverage teams over the last two years has also been impressed with Whelan. “He boots that ball so far,” Melton said. “Daniel is that guy. He has that boot. Just blessed to be on a team where he can punt that thing and give his guys time to get down there.”
Punting remains a key part of winning in the NFL. Being able to back the opposing team up and win the field position battle is vital especially in close games.
The Packers have all been impressed with what Whelan has brought to the team. Head coach Matt LaFleur has been pleased with his punter. “He's a great dude, great in the locker room, but he's a real weapon out on the field in terms of being able to flip the field,” LaFleur told Packers.com. “I feel like anytime we've gotten in some of those critical moments where we really need a great kick, he's come through for us.”
Whelan traveled back to his native Ireland in February as an ambassador for the Packers and the NFL. He took part in a program called the Green and Gold Gathering which was done in conjunction with Packers fan clubs across Ireland.
“I’m so excited to spend time with Packers fans in Ireland and the UK on this unique trip,” said Whelan in a news release. “Being born in Ireland and spending half my life there, plus having my dad living in the UK, I already have special connections to many places in Ireland and the UK. I’m looking forward to creating even more. Sports play such a central role in culture and tradition on both sides of the Atlantic, and I can’t wait to celebrate that shared passion while helping to grow the Packers’ presence internationally. Sports play such a central role in culture and tradition on both sides of the Atlantic, and I can’t wait to celebrate that shared passion while helping to grow the Packers’ presence internationally.”
Whelan was likely disappointed that he didn’t get All Pro recognition after his outstanding 2025 campaign, but winning a championship is more important to him than individual awards.
“I just like winning but, obviously, it’s good to have some recognition behind it, as well, but the main goal’s to win a Super Bowl,” Whelan said. “If the punt team’s doing well, you’re probably going to win the game.”