Green Bay Packers News

The Green Bay Packers placed linebackers Quay Walker (undisclosed) and Collin Oliver (undisclosed), offensive lineman John Williams (undisclosed) and defensive back Micah Robinson (undisclosed) on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list on Friday. Running back Amar Johnson (undisclosed), offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (undisclosed) and kicker Alex Hale (undisclosed) were placed on the Non-Football Injury list. Despite playing a career-low 13 games in 2024, Walker managed 100-plus combined tackles for the third straight year to begin his career. He also had 72 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks, and nine tackles for loss. The 25-year-old is heading into the final year of his current deal after the Packers didn't pick up his fifth-year option, and when he does return to the field this summer, he'll be competing with Edgerrin Cooper.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) has been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list on Friday. This was expected to happen given the fact Watson tore his ACL in Week 18 of last year. Normally, this kind of injury takes around 10-12 months of rehab before getting back on the field. He posted a video earlier this summer of him running routes, but he's still not close to being ready to play. It's unclear at this point how much the Packers are going to get from Watson this season. Without Watson available, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, and Romeo Doubs figure to be the primary wideouts to begin the season.

Last year, Green Bay Packers running backs Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks shared backup duties behind bell-cow Josh Jacobs. But their biggest challenger for the No. 2 job in 2025 comes from MarShawn Lloyd, writes Packers.com's Mike Spofford. The third-rounder out of USC in 2024 was derailed by injuries in his rookie season, first by a hip injury early in training camp and then a hamstring injury in the preseason. Lloyd injured his ankle in his lone regular-season appearance in Week 2 and then had appendicitis that required emergency surgery when he was on the verge of coming off Injured Reserve. The 5-foot-9, 220-pounder offers an intriguing mix of speed, shiftiness and power that will make him an interesting handcuff option for fantasy managers that draft Jacobs. In addition to beating out Wilson and Brooks, Lloyd will need to solve ball-security issues he had in college.

Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd is "in a much better spot" and the team has "a lot of high expectations for him," Green Bay running backs coach Ben Sirmans told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Drafted in the third round in 2024, Lloyd had a lost year as a rookie. He appeared in just one game for Green Bay last season, totaling six carries for 15 yards. Lloyd suffered myriad injuries to his hip, ankle, hamstring, and appendicitis. In the same article, Schneidman notes that Lloyd is "essentially a lock" to make the Packers' 53-man roster, but may not start as the number two running back on the depth chart behind Josh Jacobs. He's competing with Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks for the role, both of whom flashed at different points in 2024. Lloyd has a ways to go before he's relevant for fantasy managers, but his progress in camp should be monitored by those looking for a Jacobs handcuff.

The Green Bay Packers are "likely" to sign tackle Zach Tom to an extension before the start of the 2025 season, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Schneidman predicts that the 26-year-old should "command well into the $20 millions on his new deal." A fourth-round draft pick by the Packers in 2022, Tom has played multiple positions along the line for Green Bay. He found a home at right tackle in 2024, receiving the third most All-Pro votes at the position. Pro Football Focus gave Tom a 90.0 run-blocking grade, third-best out of the 140 tackles who were evaluated. As a team, Green Bay ranked sixth in rushing yards per game and third in total rushing touchdowns last season.

With Green Bay Packers center Elgton Jenkins skipping the entire offseason program, second-year center Jacob Monk got the bulk of the work with the starters, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "He's done a nice job," head coach Matt LaFleur said of the 2024 fifth-round pick. "He's a lot more comfortable and confident in terms of going out there and knowing what to do. And for him it's just going to come down to those live reps." Jenkins is going to be the team's starter at center when games start, but Monk got some important time this offseason to show that he's a valuable backup. The 24-year-old was selected in the fifth round in 2024 out of Duke. He also has experience at guard and tackle, giving the Packers key depth and versatility on the offensive line.

ESPN's Rob Demovsky writes that Green Bay Packers rookie first-round wide receiver Matthew Golden appears set for a significant role on offense with the likes of Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks with Christian Watson (knee) still rehabbing from ACL surgery. Golden might not be an immediate starter, but he got plenty of run with the starters during offseason workouts and caught quarterback Jordan Love's eye quickly. "I think from the get-go, from Day 1 when he got here, he's showcased kind of just the versatility he has running routes, the speed he has and his ability to catch," Love said. The 21-year-old is a burner who caught 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns at Texas in 2024. It remains to be seen if he'll see enough targets to be in contention for a weekly fantasy lineup spot, but his overall upside as a potential deep threat with Watson sidelined is enough to make him an attractive late-round flier in redraft leagues.

Green Bay Packers linebacker Isaiah Simmons, the former eighth overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2020, was shuffled among linebacker, safety and nickel defensive back with the Cardinals and New York Giants and never excelled at any of those positions. Part of the reason he signed with the Packers was their willingness to let him play exclusively at linebacker. ESPN's Rob Demovsky writes that Simmons has had the chance to line up with the starters at linebacker during the offseason program, despite the fact that Green Bay is deep at the position. "Honestly I feel like this is the most comfortable in a system I've been since I've been in the league," Simmons said. It's a notable development for the former Clemson start, but it won't guarantee a career turnaround, especially if he's not playing regularly. The 26-year-old had a career-low 21 tackles in 17 games (one start) with the Giants in 2024.

Per NFL.com's Grant Gordon, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Bo Melton took practice reps with the defensive backs during this week's mandatory minicamp. "Everybody turned and looked at me like, 'What are you doing?'" said Melton on Wednesday. Despite this week marking the first time that the 26-year-old ran with the DBs, it isn't the first discussion he and coach Matt LaFleur have had about it. Reportedly, when Melton joined the team in 2023, LaFleur inquired about his defensive prowess from the short time he spent in Rutgers' defensive backfield early in his collegiate career. The former Scarlet Knight hasn't just been an offensive asset for the Pack during his tenure with the squad, as he's also recorded four tackles on 154 career special-teams snaps. Whether he sticks remains to be seen, but it's a smart move for Green Bay to try to develop him at the position after the departure of his former teammate Jaire Alexander.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love said specifically that tight end Tucker Kraft's usage is a major point of focus this spring during offseason workouts. Kraft took a big jump from his rookie season in 2023 to last year, catching 50 of 70 targets for 707 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 regular-season starts as Green Bay's primary pass-catching tight end. He had just 31 receptions for 355 yards and two scores in 17 games (eight starts) in 2023 while splitting snaps with Luke Musgrave. It helped that Musgrave missed 10 games with an ankle injury last year, but Kraft should operate as the team's TE1 in 2025, and he's certainly an intriguing low-end TE1 target in fantasy drafts with upside for more because of his yards-after-the-catch prowess. The 24-year-old former third-rounder (78th overall) in 2023 out of South Dakota State is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 11 fantasy tight end.

The Green Bay Packers are releasing star cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) on Monday, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Packers were open to bringing Alexander back in 2025, but the two sides were unable to work anything out, and the two-time Pro Bowler will now hit the open market. The move to release Alexander will save the Packers around $17.1 million of the $24.6 million salary cap hit that he carried for this season. The 28-year-old defensive back missed time last year with a knee injury and has only played in 14 total games over the last two seasons, which was a big part of the reason the Packers are moving on. He's still on the right side of 30, though, so Alexander could bounce back as one of the better corners in the league if he's able to get healthy again. Alexander shouldn't linger too long on the open market before finding employment elsewhere.

Green Bay Packers wide receivers Jayden Reed (shoulder) and Romeo Doubs (concussion) were both seen participating in voluntary organized team activities on Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman. Reed suffered a dislocated shoulder in the team's wild-card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles but didn't require surgery and is ready to go for 2025. Doubs, meanwhile, suffered a concussion in the same playoff game and should also be 100% ready this fall. Both Reed and Doubs should have more target competition in 2025, even with Christian Watson (knee) potentially missing over half the season, after the team took Matthew Golden (first round) and Savion Williams (third round) in this year's draft. The 25-year-old Red is the more attractive receiver in fantasy, but he's probably going to be an unpredictable, boom/bust WR3/flex.

The Green Bay Packers have proposed a restructured contract to cornerback Jaire Alexander, a source with knowledge of the situation tells The Athletic's Matt Schneidman. It shows the team's interest in retaining the two-time All-Pro defensive back in an offseason in which they've been open to trading him. The 28-year-old wants to remain in Green Bay, but he and his agent have not agreed to the restructure yet. He has two years left on a then-record contract he signed in 2022 for $21 million annually. Alexander has the third-highest salary cap number on the team this year at around $24.6 million. The reason the Packers have been ready to move on is the fact that Alexander has played in 16 of a potential 37 games the last two years due to four different injuries and a one-game suspension. He has not reported for any voluntary offseason workouts but plans to attend mandatory minicamp in early June.

The Athletic's Matt Schneidman isn't convinced that Green Bay Packers rookie third-round wide receiver Savion Williams will be a regular contributor in his first season in the NFL, but he writes that the Packers coaches are talking about him as if he will be. That's bad news for wideouts Bo Melton and Malik Heath making contributions this fall alongside Williams, rookie first-rounder Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks. Remember, Christian Watson (knee) is expected to miss at least half of the 2025 season. Williams is an athletic 6-foot-4, 222 pounds, but barring injuries on the receiver depth chart above him, he could very well be limited to a few offensive snaps per game and return duties on special teams. His usage will be something to watch in training camp and the preseason, but as of now, Williams is unlikely to be draft-worthy in single-year fantasy leagues.

The Athletic's Matt Schneidman writes that Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (appendix) is currently healthy and without restrictions during offseason work as he heads into his sophomore season in the NFL. Lloyd, a third-round pick last year, was supposed to be Josh Jacobs' backup in 2024 while providing an intriguing speed and pass-catching element to the backfield, but injuries limited him to just one game. A healthy Lloyd should easily be Jacobs' backup despite Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks exceeding expectations a year ago. In addition to appendicitis, Lloyd missed time last year with ankle and hamstring injuries. He is extremely talented and has the tools to eventually be a three-down back in the NFL, but after a lost rookie season, he'll pretty much only be a handcuff for Jacobs in ingle-year fantasy leagues in 2025.

The Green Bay Packers announced on Monday that they signed first-round wide receiver Matthew Golden to his four-year rookie deal, according to general manager Brian Gutekunst. Golden will receive a fully-guaranteed $17.57 million with a signing bonus of $9.42 million, according to OverTheCap.com. The Packers took the 21-year-old pass-catcher in the first round at the end of April, the first time they had taken a receiver in the first round since 2002. The 5-foot-11, 191-pounder caught 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns at Texas in 2024. Golden should play right away in Green Bay, especially with Christian Watson (knee) potentially out for half the season. He will primarily be a field-stretcher for the Packers and could be a boom/bust fantasy commodity in his first NFL campaign in a wideout corps that also includes Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks.

Green Bay Packers passing-game coordinator Jason Vrable said that wide receiver Jayden Reed is up to 199 pounds (up from 185 as a rookie) and has been one of the leaders of the receiver group this offseason. Vrable said that Reed has been "helping Matthew Golden with every single play." The 25-year-old was on pace for his first 1,000-yard season in 2024 in his sophomore campaign in the first half before fading down the stretch and then suffering a dislocated shoulder in the wild-card playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite the team adding Golden and Savion Williams in this year's draft, the Packers still view Reed as their "top receiver." However, until we see it, the slot wideout's volume could be volatile, even with Christian Watson (knee) potentially miss half the season. Reed has the potential for a breakout, but he should be viewed as a boom/bust WR3/flex.

The Green Bay Packers have agreed to terms with rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden on a four-year, $17.57 million contract. Green Bay spent the No. 23 overall pick on the Texas alum, making him the first first-round wideout since the franchise selected Javon Walker in the first round of 2002. With the contract, he becomes the highest-paid Packers WR. The depth of Green Bay's wide receiver room is one of the most noteworthy knocks against him, but Golden brings something to the table that the other pass-catchers don't, and that's his blazing speed. The 21-year-old makes for an intriguing addition to the team's roster as a deep threat and should get an opportunity to play right away. However, it isn't easy to project significant volume coming his way. Even if he works to the top of the pecking order in the WR corps, the Packers have made it clear they'd like to establish the run -- bolstering the third-lowest pass rate in the NFL in 2024. Golden could prove to be an effective weapon for Jordan Love in the passing game, but the spread-it-around ways of the Packers' offense won't do him any favors.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst announced on Wednesday that the team has signed wide receiver Jadon Janke to the roster. Gutekunst did not disclose the monetary details of the contract. Janke signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 draft, but was released during training camp and spent the rest of the season with the Miami Dolphins. The South Dakota State product was a multi-year starter during his time at college -- capping out at 57 receptions, 946 yards, and ten touchdowns in his final season. In a stacked Green Bay receiver room, playing time won't come easily. However, he may make the field due to his prowess as a kick returner in college. Janke was more efficient on kickoffs (19.4 per return) than punts (11.4).

Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins is not participating in the team's offseason workout program as he awaits a new contract, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. The two-time Pro Bowler signed a four-year, $68 million contract extension in December of 2022, but is looking for a new deal ahead of his seventh NFL campaign. Jenkins, who is primarily a guard, is open to moving to center full time. However, the highest-paid center in the league, Creed Humphrey, makes $18 million per year, while eight guards match or exceed that figure. Jenkins' current salary of $17 million would make him one of the highest-paid centers in the NFL, but his future earnings could be negatively impacted by making the move to the middle of the offensive line. Jenkins is largely viewed as one of the best interior offensive linemen in the NFL, so it would be wise for Green Bay to meet his demands.