The new league year starts this week, and the Green Bay Packers have been preparing for it. GM Brian Gutekunst has made a trade, signed some of his own potential free agents and freed up some cap space with his moves. Here is a look at how the Green Bay Packers recent moves change their offseason needs and outlook.
How the Packers Recent Moves Change Their Offseason Needs: Re-Signing OL Sean Rhyan
The Packers re-signed offensive lineman Sean Rhyan to a new three-year contract worth a reported $33 million. Rhyan started the 2025 season as the team’s starting right guard but lost that job due to mediocre play. When Elgton Jenkins suffered a season-ending injury, Rhyan took over as the starting center. He played better at center than at guard and by the end of the season, was playing solid football in the middle of the Green Bay offensive line.
Interior offensive line remains a need for the Packers, but now it’s less immediate. Rhyan can start at center or at one of the guard positions and be an adequate starter there. He adds toughness and attitude to the offensive line and is familiar with Matt LaFleur’s offense.
The Packers are still likely to draft an interior offensive lineman on day two and day three of the draft, but now they have the luxury of knowing they have an adequate starter there in the meantime. So now the Packers additions along the interior offensive line don’t need to start right away, but if they do, the team will have Rhyan around to provide depth.
The need to sign a free agent to start right away has been reduced, although if the right player becomes available at the right price, Gutekunst could still make an addition.
The Trade for LB Zaire Franklin
The Packers addressed their need at linebacker when they acquired Zaire Franklin from the Indianapolis Colts. This trade means that Quay Walker will almost certainly not be back in a Packers uniform in 2026.
It also gives the Packers a starting linebacker corps of Franklin, Edgerrin Cooper, and Isaiah McDuffie. If the Packers play a 3-4 base under new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, Ty’Ron Hopper would be the next starter on the depth chart.
Franklin gives the Packers a solid starter at linebacker to replace Walker while reducing the need to draft a linebacker early or sign a big free agent. I would still expect Gutekunst to add a linebacker at the draft, but it will be more likely to come on day three. Even if Gutekunst adds a day two linebacker, there is less pressure on him to start right away.
How the Packers Recent Moves Change Their Offseason Needs: Trading Away DT Colby Wooden
Colby Wooden stepped up and became a full-time starter in 2025 but the Packers traded him to the Colts in exchange for Franklin. Wooden provided the Packers with steady play against the run but provided very little in the way of pass rush.
The defensive tackle position has become an even bigger need for the Packers now as the talent and depth at the position has been reduced with Wooden’s departure. The team will need a starter opposite Devonte Wyatt when the new season gets underway.
This makes defensive tackle a higher offseason priority. The chances of Gutekunst addressing defensive tackle in the second or third rounds of the draft just increased.
This also may be an indication that the Packers are more likely to play more three-man fronts under Gannon next season. The new defensive coordinator has yet to announce his base defense. Keep in mind that both Lukas Van Ness and Micah Parsons can also line up at defensive tackle in obvious pass rushing situations.
Addressing Special Teams
The Packers also announced that they have signed special teams ace Nick Niemann to a new deal to bring him back in 2026. That should help the coverage units on special teams.
Gutekunst also restructured Aaron Banks’ contract to free up 2026 cap space. The player’s permission wasn’t necessary on that change.
The Packers needs have changed as a result of the moves Gutekunst made over the last few days. Expect more big moves early this week as the new league year gets started.
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