It’s time to break down how the Green Bay Packers will reshape the roster for the 2026 season. The Packers have begun checking boxes with a few re-signings and a trade, but the opening of the legal tampering period on Monday provides another head start, and the official work begins Wednesday afternoon with the start of the new league year.
Follow along as we break down every move involving the Packers in free agency:
Packers re-signing LB Kristian Welch (3/9)
The move: The Packers are re-signing linebacker Kristian Welch (agent Ryan Hays on Instagram)
What it means: Welch’s return gives the Packers a veteran special teamer capable of competing for a role on Cam Achord’s unit in 2026. The depth chart at linebacker is tough to sort out, especially if the Packers are moving to a traditional 3-4 front, but Welch, a Wisconsin native, is clearly liked in Green Bay. It’s’ possible he’ll be battling with the likes of Nick Niemann and Jamon Johnson for a roster spot this summer.
Raiders signing LB Quay Walker (3/9)
The move: The Raiders have agreed to sign linebacker Quay Walker to a three-year, $40.5 million deal (Adam Schefter of ESPN)
What it means: Walker’s departure was expected after the Packers swung a trade for veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin over the weekend. He was a 2022 first-round pick and 2025 team captain, but the Packers declined his fifth-year option and then couldn’t find common ground on an extension. Paying a non-elite off-ball linebacker probably wasn’t the right move, anyway. Expect the Packers to get a fifth-round compensatory pick in return for losing Walker.
Packers releasing OL Elgton Jenkins (3/9)
The move: The Packers are releasing offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (Adam Schefter of ESPN)
What it means: An expected result for an older player (turns 31 in December) coming off a major injury with an expensive cap number ($24.3 million in 2026). The Packers will save $19.5 million on the salary cap by releasing Jenkins, potentially creating cap space for a free agent signing. Re-signing Sean Rhyan to a three-year deal and restructuring Aaron Banks’ deal meant the writing was on the wall for Jenkins, who has played all five positions at the NFL level and was a two-time Pro Bowler at guard.
Packers re-signing OL Darian Kinnard (3/9)
The move: The Packers are re-signing offensive lineman Darian Kinnard with a one-year deal worth up to $3.75 million (Pat McAfee via Matt Schneidman)
What it means: The Packers bring back a reliable backup offensive lineman who gave the offensive line quality snaps at right guard and right tackle last season. Kinnard could have been retained via the restricted tender, but it’s likely the Packers are giving him a chance to earn more than the tender via incentives in 2026. Kinnard will likely slot in as the No. 6 offensive lineman behind the expected starters, and he’s capable of playing snaps as an inline tight end.
Jets signing DE Kingsley Enagbare (3/9)
The move: The Jets have agreed to free agent defensive end Kingsley Enagbare to a one-year, $10 million deal (Jeremy Fowler of ESPN)
What it means: The Packers are losing a quality backup edge rusher and special teamer in Enagbare, who played in all 68 games over the last four seasons. With Enagbare departing and Rashan Gary headed to Dallas, the Packers are dealing with significant change at edge rusher entering 2026. His one-year deal could allow the Packers to dip their toes into free agency and sign an unrestricted free agent without hurting the comp pick math for 2027.
Dolphins signing QB Malik Willis (3/9)
The move: The Dolphins have agreed to sign free agent quarterback Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million deal, with $45 million guaranteed (Ian Rapoport of NFL Media)
What it means: Willis revived his career in Green Bay and has now landed a massive deal worth $22.5 million per year in Miami, where he’ll re-join forces with general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley. For the Packers, this deal will likely mean getting a third-round compensatory pick in 2027. For Willis, this means a huge payday and a chance to start for a team rebuilding in the Packers image. A Dolphins offense with Willis, Devon Achane and Jaylen Waddle could be fun. The Packers host the Dolphins at Lambeau Field in 2026.
Packers trade DE Rashan Gary to Cowboys (3/9)
The move: The Packers traded defensive end Rashan Gary to the Cowboys for a fourth-round pick in the 2027 draft (Ian Rapoport of NFL Media)
What it means: The Packers are getting draft pick compensation for a player that was widely expected to be released, given his disappointing end to the 2025 season and $28 million cap number in 2026. The trade nets the Packers a high Day 3 pick next year and clears $11 million off the cap this year, while also eliminating Gary’s $31 million cap hit in 2027. This was a necessary move for many reasons, and the Packers did well to get a valuable draft pick in return. The need at edge rusher is clear, although Gary’s departure does clear the runway for Lukas Van Ness to be a full-time player in 2026.
Packers re-sign C Sean Rhyan (3/8)
The move: The Packers signed center Sean Rhyan to a three-year, $33 million deal (Ian Rapoport of NFL Media)
What it means: The Packers have their starting center for 2026, and the starting five offensive linemen entering next year looks nearly set. Options were thinning at center, so the Packers re-signed one of their own. Rhyan started at center over the last eight games of the 2025 season and made a big impression in Green Bay, earning a lucrative deal that places him among the top 10 centers in average per year. Rhyan aided the run game but was inconsistent overall at a new position. His individual improvement at center will need to play a part of the offensive line’s attempt to rebound from an injury-plagued regression in 2025. Options
Packers re-sign LB Nick Niemann (3/7)
The move: The Packers signed linebacker Nick Niemann to a one-year deal (Bill Huber of Packers on SI).
What it means: The Packers return a core special teamer who was on his way to a special season before injury hit in 2025. Few realize, but Niemann was leading the NFL in total special teams tackles when he went down in Week 8. While lacking as a true linebacker, he’ll likely be the little used No. 5 option who contributes real value while playing at least 200 snaps on special teams (barring injury) for coordinator Cam Achord in 2026. For the Packers, there was no reason for a below average special teams unit to let one of their best go.
Packers trade for LB Zaire Franklin (3/7)
The move: The Packers traded defensive lineman Colby Wooden to the Colts for linebacker Zaire Franklin (multiple outlets).
Breakdown: Unable to re-sign Quay Walker, the Packers proactively filled the looming hole at off-ball linebacker — trading Wooden to the Colts for Franklin. A 2024 Pro Bowler with four straight 100-tackle seasons, Franklin is an experienced option to replace Walker as the “Mike” linebacker next to Edgerrin Cooper. But he’s coming off a poor season in Indianapolis, and he turns 30 in July. Given Walker’s expected market, the Packers likely saw Franklin as a more cost-effective way to address linebacker with Jonathan Gannon expected to shift to a 3-4 base front. Expect him to be a capable downhill run defender who is often a liability in coverage. Sound familiar? Trading Wooden means the Packers are fully in the market for a nose tackle, arguably the biggest need position on the roster.
Packers re-sign RB Chris Brooks (3/4)
The move: The Packers signed running back Chris Brooks to a two-year deal worth $4.85 million (agency).
What it means: With Emanuel Wilson expected to hit free agency, the Packers made sure they kept some stability behind Josh Jacobs by locking up Brooks — the far more versatile player. He can run, block, catch and play special teams. For a gameday roster of 48 players, Brooks is the perfect RB3. It’s possible the Packers plan to use free agency or the draft to find another back to team with Jacobs and Brooks, given Wilson’s status and MarShawn Lloyd’s unreliability.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers free agency: Breaking down every move involving Green Bay in 2026
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
