The Green Bay Packers are close to making the leap into the Super Bowl stratosphere, and how they navigate through free agency will be fascinating.
Unlike last year, the Packers have several key starters heading for the exit, making the upcoming weeks all the more important for general manager Brian Gutekunst. While Green Bay likely won't spend aggressively in free agency, it will have opportunities to upgrade the roster at positions of need.
Arrivals. Departures. And, as we've already seen, potentially some trades, too. The chaos is just beginning. Be sure to keep coming back here to stay on top of the Packers' path through free agency.
On this page:
- Packers free-agency snapshot
- Major Packers signings
- Major Packers departures
- Potential departures to watch
- Best targets remaining
Packers free-agency snapshot
- Cap space remaining: $18.58 million (estimated before the full details of contract extensions for Sean Rhyan and Chris Brooks)
- Biggest signing: Sean Rhyan
- Biggest departure: Malik Willis
- Most surprising move: TBD
- Biggest remaining need: Defensive tackle
- Last updated: 12:30 pm CT, March 9, 2026
Defensive tackle became the Packers' most pressing need after trading away Colby Wooden on the cusp of free agency. Green Bay must add reinforcements to play alongside Devonte Wyatt, a task that likely requires both free agency and next month's draft.
Cornerback closely follows. The Packers' trio of Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and Nate Hobbs struggled for consistency, especially once they didn't have Micah Parsons hurrying quarterbacks. Javon Bullard performed admirably in the slot, but Green Bay needs help on the boundary.
Major Packers signings
Zaire Franklin, LB: Trade with Colts (Ian Rapoport, NFL Network)
The Packers' first major move was to trade Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts for linebacker Zaire Franklin. With Quay Walker's contract expiring, Green Bay understood the need to add another starting linebacker to play alongside Edgerrin Cooper. In Franklin, the Packers are getting an experienced defender who is only a year removed from earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors.
Franklin's struggles in coverage are undoubtedly a concern, and he is coming off a disappointing final season with the Colts. However, his ability as a top-tier run defender is important for a defense that fell apart against strong rushing offenses at the backend of last season.
Read the full breakdown on why Packers' trade for Zaire Franklin is a gamble here
Sean Rhyan, C: Three years, $33 million (Adam Schefter, ESPN)
With several centers landing new deals before the start of free agency, the Packers acted quickly to re-sign Sean Rhyan, who stepped in at the position following Elgton Jenkins' season-ending injury.
Rhyan provided improvements in the run game, but his inconsistency in pass protection remains a concern. The Packers have made Rhyan one of the highest-paid centers in the league, with his $11 million salary ranking fifth at the position. That's a sign of real commitment from the Packers, who clearly believe in Rhyan as their starter moving forward.
Read about how Sean Rhyan's new deal impacts Elgton Jenkins and the starting offensive line here.
Major Packers departures
Malik Willis, QB: Signing with Dolphins (Ian Rapoport, NFL Network)
It's the move everyone expected. Jeff Hafley wasted no time stealing a major free agent from the Packers, and he has found his quarterback.
It leaves Green Bay without a backup quarterback, but the team could net a third-round compensatory pick in 2027, with Willis reportedly signing a three-year deal worth $67.5 million with the Dolphins, of which $45 million is fully guaranteed.
Willis looked like a QB1 every time the Packers needed him. Now, he'll get that opportunity. Multiple teams had interest in signing Willis, but Miami won the competition. Willis finally gets his chance to land a starting job two years after the Packers traded a seventh-round pick for him.
Rashan Gary, DE: Trade with Cowboys (Ian Rapoport, NFL Network)
It just had to the be the Cowboys, right? Many expected the Packers to include Rashan Gary in the initial trade for Micah Parsons last August, but now he will reunite with Kenny Clark in Dallas.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Packers will receive a 2027 fourth-round pick for Gary in a stunning move right before free agency. Considering many viewed him as a cut candidate, that's a fantastic deal for Green Bay.
Gary delivered zero sacks or tackles for loss in the final nine games of the season, and he failed to elevate his game after the Packers lost Micah Parsons for the season. Green Bay will save almost $11 million after the trade becomes official.
Kingsley Enagbare, DE: Signing with Jets (Jeremy Fowler, ESPN)
The Packers have lost another piece of their defensive line, with Kingsley Enagbare signing a one-year, $10 million deal with the New York Jets, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Enagbare outperformed Gary for much of the season, and he is a strong run defender. The Packers lose an important depth piece, leaving them with Micah Parsons, Lukas Van Ness, and Barryn Sorrell as their top three players on the depth chart. Adding an edge-rusher becomes a priority.
Colby Wooden, DL: Trade with Colts (Ian Rapoport, NFL Network)
The Packers didn't give up any draft capital in the Zaire Franklin trade, instead sending 2023 fourth-round draft choice Colby Wooden to the Colts.
Wooden played a combined 489 snaps with just one start in his first two seasons combined, but his playing time increased dramatically in 2025 following Kenny Clark's departure, with 16 starts and 587 defensive snaps to his name. Wooden made a promising start to the season, kicking off with two tackles for loss and a QB hit in Week 1.
However, he lacked consistency and couldn't hold up against the run. Entering a contract year, the Packers chose to move on now while adding a potential starter at linebacker.
Potential departures to watch
Romeo Doubs, WR, UFA
Romeo Doubs' run in Green Bay is almost certainly over. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Packers' 2022 fourth-round pick "is set to hit the market" and "will have several suitors" after talks with the Packers didn't lead to a new deal.
Green Bay prepared for this moment by drafting Matthew Golden and handing Christian Watson a short-term extension, but Doubs' departure is undoubtedly a big loss. He became a trusted target for Jordan Love and led the Packers in receiving this past season, making 55 catches for 724 yards and six touchdowns.
Elgton Jenkins, C, cut/trade candidate
The Packers all but sealed Elgton Jenkins' fate after re-signing Sean Rhyan and then restructuring Aaron Banks' contract. That slammed the door shut at left guard and center, the two positions Jenkins played in 2025.
Green Bay can save a massive $19.53 million on the salary cap by moving on from Jenkins. They will potentially try to find a trade partner, but if that fails, releasing the 2019 second-round pick is the most likely outcome.
Rasheed Walker, T, UFA
From a seventh-round draft choice to becoming one of the highest-paid tackles in free agency, Rasheed Walker will likely find a new team early in the week. The Packers prepared by drafting Jordan Morgan in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and the time has come for Morgan to get his opportunity.
Walker was inconsistent as a run blocker, but he rarely made big errors in the passing game, and that's why he will land a major deal this week.
Quay Walker, LB, UFA
The Packers' trade for Zaire Franklin tells us all we need to know about Quay Walker's future. He should land a big deal elsewhere, but it almost certainly won't be in Green Bay. Walker is a playmaker who will add speed and athleticism wherever he goes, but struggles in coverage prevented him from reaching his first-round potential with the Packers.
Best targets remaining
Cor'Dale Flott, CB, New York Giants
Cor'Dale Flott is another potentially affordable option at cornerback, with Spotrac projecting he will sign for just $9.5 million per year. While Flott only has three career interceptions, he is tough to complete passes against.
According to Pro Football Reference, the veteran allowed barely over half of passes to be completed his way last season, with quarterbacks throwing just one touchdown against him for a pedestrian 73.3 passer rating. Flott has played alongside Xavier McKinney before, and a reunion in Green Bay would make a ton of sense.
Logan Hall, DL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Packers desperately need reinforcements after trading Colby Wooden, and Logan Hall can play across the defensive line. Jonathan Gannon could have Hall line up inside or outside, and he knows how to get after the quarterback, with seven sacks over the past two seasons.
Hall is particularly effective against the run, which is an area the Packers simply must improve, especially with more Cover 4 looks on the way in Gannon's scheme.
Calais Campbell, DL, Arizona Cardinals
Calais Campbell continues to prove that age is just a number. The 39-year-old is still playing at a ridiculously high level, having made 6.5 sacks last season while also earning PFF's 16th-best run defense grade among interior linemen.
Better still, he achieved that while playing in Gannon's defense for the Cardinals. Could they reunite in Green Bay?