The Green Bay Packers did what good teams do in the offseason: They handed out several extensions in an effort to keep their homegrown talent. Four games into the season, the results are mixed.
Wide receiver Christian Watson has certainly lived up to expectations, while tight end Tucker Kraft and center Sean Rhyan have been fine but far from great. There's also Jayden Reed, who kind of gets an asterisk because nobody would have imagined that he would suffer a severe neck injury that would cut his 2026 season short.
On the other hand, players such as running back Chris Brooks and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt have been unremarkable. But Wyatt has arguably been a bigger disappointment because his play has yet to match the three-year, $57 million deal he signed earlier this year.
Devonte Wyatt has been unremarkable since the Packers extended him
A first-round pick in 2022, Wyatt has flashed massive pass-rush upside, including his four sacks in 10 games last season. In fact, the Packers liked him enough to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Brian Gutekunst then handed him an extension this summer.
Wyatt has shown pass-rush capabilities, as noted before, but had his work cut out as a run defender. Before the Decatur, Georgia native fractured his ankle 10 games into the 2025 campaign, he posted a measly Pro Football Focus grade of 38.7 against the run. He hasn't gotten much better in 2026.
Wyatt has made four starts this season, posting a PFF run grade of 51.0 in that span. Certainly better than last year, but still not good enough. The issue is that the fourth-year defensive tackle has also been underwhelming as a pass rusher, registering a paltry two pressures and no sacks.
Maybe if Wyatt were doing a great job of bringing the heat, you could excuse or even justify his inability to stymie the run, but that's not the case. What's worse is that fellow defensive lineman Jonathan Ford has as many pressures as him on fewer defensive snaps.
Similarly, newcomer Javon Hargrave sat out the New York Jets game and has been more productive, registering five pressures in three games. Given that he's making way less ($12.5 million per year) than Wyatt, he's giving the Packers more bang for their buck.
The Packers have no choice but to be patient with Devonte Wyatt
The good news is that it's early for the Packers to hit the panic button. Sure, they should be concerned about Wyatt's slow start, but there may be a logical explanation. Although he hasn't had any setbacks in his return from the ankle injury, maybe he's shaking off the rust.
It was a significant injury.
Perhaps Wyatt is still getting a grasp of defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon's scheme and needs time to hit his stride. Regardless of the reason, though, Green Bay gave him an extension for a reason, and he needs to play a full season before Gutekunst can truly assess his performance.
Of course, if Wyatt keeps being a non-factor, the noise will only increase. It will be up to him to shape the narrative and determine whether his extension is discussed in a positive light one year from now.
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