Christian Watson leads a nightmarish free agency Packers can't avoid

Once the Green Bay Packers lost their playoff opener to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles this past January, general manager Brian Gutekunst didn't have many tough decisions to make regarding pending free agents, as most of the players set to hit the open market were expendable.

While the Packers opted to re-sign linebacker Isaiah McDuffie and kicker Brandon McManus, they also chose to let center Josh Myers, cornerbacks Eric Stokes and Corey Ballentine, running back AJ Dillon, linebacker Eric Wilson, defensive lineman T.J. Slaton, and a few others walk out the door.

Next offseason, however, is shaping up to be a very different story, as Green Bay has several key contributors set to play the 2025 season on the final years of their respective contracts, the most notable being standout right tackle Zach Tom, who has become one of the best in the league at his position, finishing third in the All-Pro voting this past season behind only the Detroit Lions' Penei Sewell and the Eagles' Lane Johnson.

Despite not yet receiving an extension, which could still come before the start of the season, Tom still chose to participate in voluntary OTAs and minicamp, which was admirable but also a bit risky. Thankfully, he avoided injury. Tom has expressed his desire to stay in Green Bay but is also keenly aware that a deal may not get done, at which point one would assume he'll still just go out and give it everything he's got, as that's the kind of player he is.

Tom isn't the only starter on the offensive line set to hit free agency in 2026, as Sean Rhyan and Rasheed Walker are on the list as well.

Staying on offense, wide receivers Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson are obviously worth mentioning, although Doubs may not make it to free agency in a Packers uniform, as he continues to be the topic of several trade rumors. But we'll just have to wait and see how that plays out.

Watson, of course, sustained a torn ACL in the Packers' regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears and will likely start this season on the PUP list. So, there isn't much the team can do with him right now.

Backup quarterback Malik Willis is also worth noting on the offensive side of the ball.

Moving over to the defense, the biggest name there is linebacker Quay Walker, whose fifth-year option was declined. But that seems to be due to the Packers preparing to offer him a long-term extension at some point in the near future. But again, we'll have to wait and see how that plays out.

Fellow linebackers Isaiah Simmons and Kristian Welch are also on the list, as is defensive end Kingsley Enagbare.

Full list of 2026 Packers free agents

Here's the complete list of Green Bay Packers currently slated to hit some sort of free agency in 2026. Don't worry if you don't recognize some of the names, as we've also included players currently signed to reserve/futures contracts.

(UFA=unrestricted free agent; RFA=restricted free agent; ERFA=exclusive rights free agent)

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