The first wave of NFL free agency is over with most of the biggest names now signed to new teams. The Green Bay Packers have said goodbye to some long-tenured players while adding free agents like Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs. The Packers have several key players with contracts that expire after the 2025 campaign, so GM Brian Gutekunst has some tough decisions to make. Here is a look ahead to the Packers potential free agents in 2026. The emphasis here is on players who start or play a significant role on the team as of now. Only players who will be unrestricted free agents are included in this list.

Packers Potential Free Agents in 2026: OT Zach Tom

Signing Zach Tom to an extension this offseason should be one of Gutekunst’s priorities. The former Wake Forest star has been the team’s highest graded offensive lineman in each of the last two seasons.

Tom may be slightly undersized, but he’s a great technician and a smart player. While he has played at right tackle the last two seasons, he can play any position along the offensive line and that gives the Packers line versatility.

Regardless of what position Tom plays, he’ll want to be paid like a top offensive tackle. We’ll see if Gute and Tom’s agent can reach an agreement before Tom hits the open market, which is something the Packers have tried to do with their top priority free agents in recent years.

OT Rasheed Walker

The Packers have a big question to answer at left tackle. Rasheed Walker became the starter when David Bakhtiari was injured after Week 1 of the 2023 season. The Penn State alum has come a long way from seventh round pick to starting left tackle and he’s done a solid job of protecting the blind side of QB Jordan Love.

Walker may face a challenge at left tackle from 2024 first round pick Jordan Morgan. If he holds on to the job, the Packers then have to decide if Walker deserves a second contract with the team.

This will be a pivotal season for Walker and his future with the team.

Packers Potential Free Agents in 2026: WR Romeo Doubs

Romeo Doubs enters his fourth season in the NFL this fall. He provides the Packers with a solid mid-range target and is a player Love has long trusted in go-to situations.

Unfortunately, Doubs had issues last season. He was suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team. It was allegedly due to dissatisfaction with the number of targets he was getting and his overall role in the offense. The situation was smoothed over but not solved after Doubs returned to the lineup.

The Packers wide receiver room is full of young, talented players who have yet to reach their full potential. Doubs fits that description. Will he play well enough this season to earn a second contract with the Packers? This season will be critical for Doubs as well.

WR Christian Watson

The Packers will have a difficult decision to make on Christian Watson. He suffered a serious knee injury in the season finale against the Bears and will miss at least half of the 2025 campaign while he rehabs from surgery. When he’s healthy, Watson has a rare combination of size and speed that makes him a dangerous weapon. But staying healthy has been a big issue for the former North Dakota State star and he has yet to play all 17 games in a season.

Watson has the potential to be a number one receiver in this league but has yet to consistently put it all together when he’s been healthy. Will Watson play enough games and play well enough to earn a second contract? We will see how well he plays upon his return late this season.

Packers Potential Free Agents in 2026: G Sean Rhyan

Sean Rhyan won the starting right guard position in 2024 after two seasons as a backup. But he may face another challenge this season for that job from Morgan if he doesn’t win the left tackle spot.

Rhyan provides toughness and intensity to the offensive line. He graded out average among offensive guards according to Pro Football Focus with a better pass protection grade than run blocking grade.

We’ll see if Rhyan earns a second contract with the Packers or if they let him go. He will need another strong performance as a starter to solidify his future with the team.

DT Devonte Wyatt

Former first-round pick Devonte Wyatt provides the Packers with some pressure on opposing quarterbacks from the interior of the defensive line. He recorded five sacks in 2024 and 5.5 in 2023.

But Wyatt remains a part-time player for the Pack. He did not start a game last season and played 41 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in 14 games.

The Packers declined Wyatt’s fifth-year option, but will Gutekunst look to extend him, or will they let him go after four seasons?

Wyatt needs to be more consistent and to play a larger role to secure another contract in Green Bay.

Packers Potential Free Agents in 2026: LB Quay Walker

Quay Walker was drafted in the first round the same year as Wyatt. The linebacker has been a starter since day one, but he hasn’t been able to take his game consistently above average. Walker has speed and athleticism, but he needs to read offenses better and make more impact plays. Too many of his tackles have come after a player has already gained several yards.

Walker can blitz the quarterback or act as a spy against mobile signal callers. He closed the 2024 season with some stronger performances but needs to show he can play that well consistently to take his game to the next level.

The Packers did not pick up his fifth-year option but will probably seek to keep Walker if he plays well in 2025.

QB Malik Willis

The Packers traded for Malik Willis just before the start of the 2024 season to be their backup quarterback. Willis started less than a month after being acquired, and he did a surprisingly good job running the Packers offense.

Willis won both of his starts and came off the bench to lead the team to another win. He possesses a strong arm and excellent mobility that gives the offense another dimension when he’s under center.

If he has another good season as the backup, Willis will likely seek a chance to start somewhere else in 2026. The Packers may also look to draft another backup quarterback in 2025 or 2026 to compete with Willis and prepare for his departure.

 

 

 

 

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