21 former Packers players are in the UFL now, including two offensive weapons fans had high hopes for and three quarterbacks
This new movement to create new spring leagues results in one solid, fruitful version of the UFL, the merge between the XFL and USFL. It’s an extremely useful tool for players, coaches, and NFL teams, and a unique opportunity to develop talent. In 2025, each of the eight teams will have 64 players on the […]
This new movement to create new spring leagues results in one solid, fruitful version of the UFL, the merge between the XFL and USFL. It’s an extremely useful tool for players, coaches, and NFL teams, and a unique opportunity to develop talent.
In 2025, each of the eight teams will have 64 players on the roster for training camp, and they report this week. Rosters will be set at 50 players for the regular season, with 45 of them active for gameday. It's a 10-week regular season, and the playoffs have four teams—the two best from each conference. The UFL Championship Game will be on June 14.
And this year, 21 former Packers players are signed with UFL teams fighting for spots on the regular season rosters. The ultimate plan is to get back into the NFL, and the track record is significant—punter Daniel Whelan, for example, came from minor leagues.
Notable weapons
Two former third-round picks by the Packers play now for the Birmingham Stallions. Tight end Jace Sternberger and wide receiver Amari Rodgers.
Sternberger is already perceived as a spring star. He's entering his third season with the Stallions, winning two championships (USFL in 2023, UFL in 2024), and making the All-USFL Team in 2023 and All-UFL Team last season. In 2023, he led the USFL in touchdown receptions. The performance brought him a training camp opportunity with the Buffalo Bills last year, but now he's back in the UFL.
Amari Rodgers played for the Packers, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts without much success in the NFL. He's been with the Stallions since last season, when he had 196 receiving yards and two touchdowns, plus 283 yards as a punt returner—a memory Packers fans might prefer not to unlock.
Most important position
There are also three quarterbacks that have already been with the Packers on current UFL rosters. The most notable one is Alex McGough, who was the USFL MVP in 2023 and now is back with the Stallions after a two-year stint in Green Bay.
At first, he was signed to play as a quarterback, but in 2024 he moved to wide receiver and spent part of last season on the practice squad. Now, he is listed as a quarterback again.
The other ones had lesser roles. Danny Etling spent parts of 2021, 2022, and 2023 on the Packers during training camp or on the practice squad, but was never on the 53-man roster.
The third one has probably the most unusual path. Manny Wilkins spent the 2019 training camp in Green Bay during Matt LaFleur's first season as the head coach. Cut, he spent four years away from football, until returning to sign with the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2023. It will be his third season in the minor leagues.
Defensive options
On defense, the most impactful former Packer is edge rusher Chris Odom, who spent the 2017 season in Green Bay. He's 30, and was the USFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and an All-UFL Team last year.
The list of players who were with the Packers last season includes linebackers Chris Russell Jr. and Ralen Goforth.
Full list of former Packers players in the UFL
- QB Alex McGough, Birmingham Stallions
- QB Danny Etling, Michigan Panthers
- QB Manny Wilkins, St. Louis Battlehawks
- RB Nate McCrary, Michigan Panthers
- RB Jarveon Howard, St. Louis Battlehawks
- WR Amari Rodgers, Birmingham Stallions
- WR Malik Turner, Michigan Panthers
- TE Jace Sternberger, Birmingham Stallions
- TE Alizé Mack, San Antonio Brahmas
- T Adrian Ealy, Arlington Renegades
- C Cole Schneider, Birmingham Stallions
- EDGE Brevin Allen, Memphis Snowboats
- EDGE Chris Odom, Arlington Renegades
- LB Chris Russell Jr., Memphis Snowboats
- LB Ralen Goforth, Michigan Panthers
- LB Kobe Jones, San Antonio Brahmas
- LB/S Tariq Carpenter, San Antonio Brahmas
- CB Gemon Green, Michigan Panthers
- CB Kiondre Thomas, DC Defenders
- S Henry Black, San Antonio Brahmas
- K J. J. Molson, Houston Roughnecks
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