Packers bring back the player who delivered the funniest and scariest moment of the 2025 season
Darian Kinnard re-signed with Green Bay.
That one play. Darian Kinnard will be remembered by casual fans because of a wild reception and fumble in the playoffs against the Chicago Bears. But he was much more than that for the Green Bay Packers, and that’s why the team is extending him ahead of the new league year. According to Pat McAfee, it’s a one-year deal worth up to $3.75 million.
Kinnard played a lot as a sixth offensive lineman this past season, and that is why he was eligible to receive that forward pass from Jordan Love. He gained some yards, suffered a fumble, but the Packers recovered it.
What Kinnard actually is for the Packers
Right before the regular season in 2025, the Packers acquired Darian Kinnard from the Philadelphia Eagles via trade for a 2027 sixth-round pick. And he was a valuable addition to the roster.
A solid depth piece, he became a part-time player both as a swing tackle and as a sixth offensive lineman after Tucker Kraft got hurt, playing as a de facto blocking tight end. In 142 pass-blocking snaps, Kinnard gave up 11 pressures. He had a 73.6 run blocking grade, via PFF, the second best on the Packers’ offensive line among qualifying players behind Zach Tom.
Kinnard played 213 snaps at right tackle, 66 at tight end, and six at left tackle. Formerly, for the Eagles, he had also played at guard. The positional versatility is key for a group that lacks depth, especially with left tackle Rasheed Walker expected to leave in free agency.
So far, the Packers have kept two of their own free agents, and both are offensive lineman. On Sunday, the Packers gave center Sean Rhyan a three-year, $33 million deal.
Brian Gutekunst is willing to keep his big guys around.
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