Packers face tough cap questions after Micah Parsons trade and these players could be the next to go with succession plans in place
Green Bay will have big decisions to make.
The Green Bay Packers made a huge investment to acquire edge defender Micah Parsons. Not only by sending two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark to the Dallas Cowboys, but also by giving Parsons a four-year, $186 million extension — with $2 million extra available via incentives.
While that opportunity was too good to pass up, there will inevitably be an impact on the Packers’ roster construction for years to come.
General manager Brian Gutekunst won’t have nearly the same cap room to retain or sign players, nor the top picks that could realistically bring immediate impact to compensate for that, albeit Gutekunst’s first-round track record isn’t the greatest.
The first signs of how things will change come next year. Several important players become free agents or enter a crossroads in their contracts, and the Packers will have tough decisions to make.
The best part for Green Bay is that, unlike most teams that do aggressive moves, the Packers are uniquely well-equipped to handle those losses due to the high volume of picks the team has had over the past three years.
Therefore, let’s discuss the players whom the Packers might not be able to keep, and what the succession plan is at each position.
Rasheed Walker
The incumbent starter at left tackle is a valuable piece of the roster, but the Packers have an obvious replacement in place with last year’s first-rounder Jordan Morgan. Walker is in the final year of his rookie deal. They are competing for the starting job now, and Morgan had a strong preseason performance. While Morgan offers versatility to play tackle and guard, it would make sense to fully establish him at left tackle and allow Walker to leave in free agency since the veteran is expected to make something around $14 million a year on the market. Capable left tackles don’t grow on trees, and NFL teams will be eager to get one without giving up draft capital.
Sean Rhyan and/or Elgton Jenkins
Sean Rhyan is the starting right guard, and Elgton Jenkins is the starting center at the moment. While Rhyan is in a contract year, Jenkins has a non-guaranteed deal in 2026, and his salary jumps from $12.8 million to $20 million.
It’s nearly impossible to keep them both beyond 2025, so what they produce on the field this upcoming season and their cost will determine the outcome.
Jenkins isn’t likely to make all of his $20 million, and the Packers will probably demand a pay cut or find a mid-term extension. If he doesn’t play well at center this year or refuses to readjust his deal, the Packers could trade or release him.
Without a natural succession plan for the position, Green Bay could offer Rhyan a mid-level extension and move him inside to center. He had several snaps at center in the preseason and is the immediate backup there, so there is precedent for the move.
In the case that both are gone, there aren’t great options on the roster. The best ones would be Jacob Monk, who starts the season on injured reserve, or guard Donovan Jennings, a former undrafted player who had a rough preseason. Another unlikely, but possible scenario, would be to move Zach Tom from right tackle to center. That would be weird considering they pay him $22 million a year, and it would demand Anthony Belton starting at right tackle.
Christian Watson/Romeo Doubs
The Packers took three wide receivers in 2022. Samori Toure is gone, but Watson and Doubs have been significant parts of the offense throughout their careers. Doubs has the trust of Jordan Love, and Watson brings a combination of size and speed that is hard to replicate, but injuries have not allowed him to be consistent.
While the Packers could find a way to keep one of them, the roster now looks ready to replace both. Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are still under contract through 2026, and Gutekunst drafted Matthew Golden in the first round and Savion Williams in the third this Spring. This is a good bottom line of talent to build a competent receiving room.
Quay Walker
The Packers made it clear they wanted to keep Walker despite declining his fifth-year option for 2026. The problem is that, especially now, it seems unwise to give him anything close to $15 million a year.
The Packers drafted two off-ball linebackers in 2024. Edgerrin Cooper already looks like a superstar, and Ty’Ron Hopper was mentioned by coach Matt LaFleur as one of the most improved players in camp. Isaiah McDuffie signed a two-year extension in March, so there’s enough top talent and depth to be comfortable allowing Walker to leave in free agency, even if the team likes his style and leadership traits.
By allowing several players to leave in free agency, and without much cap flexibility to spend in free agency next offseason, the Packers will be in line to receive up to four compensatory draft picks in 2027. Without their next two firsts, the extra capital will be more than welcome.
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