Packers’ projected veteran free agent signing sends firm message about commitment to Jonathan Gannon’s defensive philosophy
Calais Campbell will be 40 years old by Week 1.
The Green Bay Packers don’t tend to be the most active team in free agency, and with not necessarily a comfortable cap situation heading into 2026, you can’t expect big external additions.
However, general manager Brian Gutekunst has already mentioned the financial flexibility and potential willingness to add veterans to help the roster.
Fox Sports’ Greg Auman made a list of the top 100 free agents and their ideal landing spots, and he predicted the Packers will sign defensive tackle Calais Campbell, who will be 40 by Week 1. He’s the 52nd free agent on the list.
“Campbell, 39, is ageless, now with four straight seasons of at least five sacks while playing for four different teams. He’s a living legend, with 119 career sacks and six Pro Bowls. He made it to the Super Bowl as a rookie in 2008 with the Cardinals — 17 years ago — and how cool would it be if he signed on with a top contender and found his way back, turning 40 before the season starts in September? He signed for $5.5 million last year, and if a 40-year-old defensive lineman can make a case for a raise, Campbell can.
Prediction: Signs with Packers” — Greg Auman, Fox Sports
Perfect scheme fit
Despite his age and mileage (he was drafted in 2008), Calais Campbell is still highly effective and versatile. Last year, he generated 33 pressures, with solid performances both in the pass rush and run defense.
The best part for the Packers is that happened in Jonathan Gannon’s defense, so there’s already proof of concept that Campbell is an ideal scheme fit — and it’s one of the top positional needs for Green Bay.
Last week, general manager Brian Gutekunst mentioned the team could be open to signing older players, even if it’s not the usual modus operandi for the franchise.
“I wouldn’t say that’s a line of demarcation at all,” Gutekunst explained. “I think, obviously, we went through a period of time where we were kind of growing with these young guys, and I would expect these guys to kind of turn into those guys. Sometimes, particularly where we’ve been the past few years, if you have a lot of those guys you’re talking about, these other guys don’t get to play and progress. And they have now.”
More free agent decisions
The Packers were one of the teams with the most free agents on Fox Sports’ 100 list. They would re-sign only off-ball linebacker Quay Walker — plus restricted free agent running back Emanuel Wilson, who made the bonus list of top 10 RFAs.
“The Packers declined his fifth-year option, opting not to pay him $14.7 million in 2026,” Auman writes, “and he’ll likely get about $10 million a year.”
The other Packers players making the list are projected to sign elsewhere. Quarterback Malik Willis and edge defender Kingsley Enagbare would follow Jeff Hafley to the Miami Dolphins, left tackle Rasheed Walker would go to the New England Patriots, and wide receiver Romeo Doubs would play for the Philadelphia Eagles.
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