The Green Bay Packers and offensive lineman Sean Rhyan finalized a contract extension on Sunday that will keep him with the team for three more years, with a maximum value of $39 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This agreement includes an $11 million signing bonus and ensures Rhyan, who is entering the 2026 season as the Packers’ starting center, will not become a free agent. The 25-year-old, originally selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of UCLA, stepped into the center role last season following Elgton Jenkins’ season-ending leg injury in November and is expected to take on an even greater leadership role for the team’s offensive line moving forward.
Throughout his four seasons in the NFL, Rhyan has appeared in 47 games, starting 28, all of which have come over the past two seasons. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 321 pounds, Rhyan’s growth into the starting lineup reflects the Packers’ confidence in his ability to anchor their offensive front line in the coming years.
Additional Notes on Green Bay Packers Player Movement and Roster Updates
Wide Receiver Romeo Doubs Prepares for Free Agency
Wide receiver Romeo Doubs is poised to enter free agency for the first time after negotiations with the Packers failed to yield a new contract, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Despite an underwhelming overall free agent class, Doubs’ market is expected to be competitive. Over the last three seasons, he has averaged more than 50 receptions per year for nearly 700 yards and six touchdowns. Known for his role primarily along the boundary as a WR2 or WR3, Doubs has improved his ball security, recording a career-low 5.2% drop rate in 2025 and a personal best 66.3% catch rate that season.
Linebacker Quay Walker Anticipated to Draw Strong Interest in Free Agency
Linebacker Quay Walker is set to become a free agent this Monday after Green Bay’s efforts to secure an extension fell through. The former first-round pick is expected to attract significant offers, thanks in part to his impactful performance despite missing full seasons since his rookie year in 2022. Last year, Walker posted career highs with 128 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and eight tackles for loss across 14 games. The Packers mitigated the potential loss by acquiring linebacker Zaire Franklin from the Indianapolis Colts, aiming to bolster their defense amid Walker’s uncertain future.
Packers Acquire Linebacker Zaire Franklin in Player Swap
The Packers traded defensive lineman Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for linebacker Zaire Franklin on Saturday. Franklin, a seventh-round pick in 2018 who has spent his entire career with the Colts, became a full-time starter in 2020 and earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2022. This acquisition replenishes the Packers’ linebacker corps and pairs Franklin alongside Edgerrin Cooper, providing depth during uncertainty surrounding Walker’s free agency. Wooden, meanwhile, emerged as a starter in Green Bay last season, recording 50 tackles and nine tackles for loss in 16 games, making him a valuable addition for the Colts’ defensive line rotation.
Jordan Love Positioned as a Reliable Fantasy QB2 for 2026
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love showcased his potential in the team’s Wild Card playoff loss to the Chicago Bears, throwing for 323 yards and four touchdowns. In the 2025 regular season, marking his fifth NFL year, the 27-year-old completed 66.3% of passes for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions across 15 starts. Although his performance has fluctuated during his time as Green Bay’s starter, it was encouraging to see a reduction in interceptions from previous years. Love is considered a solid fantasy option in Matt LaFleur’s offense, best suited as a high-end QB2 for the upcoming season, having finished as the fantasy QB16 last year.
San Francisco 49ers Show Interest in Wide Receivers Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the San Francisco 49ers are eyeing free-agent wide receivers Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs as they prepare for potential roster turnover. With Brandon Aiyuk expected to be released soon due to a knee injury and unlikely re-signing of Jauan Jennings, both Pierce and Doubs are viewed as candidates to fill key wide receiver roles. Pierce, 25, delivered 1,003 yards and six touchdowns on 47 catches last season with the Colts, showcasing his big-play ability and leading the league in yards per reception the previous two years. Doubs, also 25, posted 55 receptions for 724 yards and six touchdowns during the 2025 campaign, making both players attractive targets for teams seeking to upgrade their wide receiver corps.
Edge Rusher Rashan Gary’s Future with Packers in Question
The Packers face uncertainty surrounding edge rusher Rashan Gary, who has been the subject of trade discussions and does not expect to remain with the team in 2026, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Gary posted his second consecutive 7.5 sack season in 2025, compiling 45 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and multiple quarterback hits, yet with a $28 million salary cap hit looming and no guaranteed money for next year’s $19.5 million salary, the Packers are exploring trade options before potentially releasing him. A former 12th overall pick out of Michigan in 2019 and a first-time Pro Bowler in 2024, Gary’s seven-season career includes 46.5 sacks and he is likely to attract interest from other teams if he reaches free agency.
Indianapolis Colts Exploring Trade Options for Linebacker Zaire Franklin
The Colts are reportedly in discussions about trading Pro Bowl linebacker Zaire Franklin to reduce salary cap obligations before the new league year begins, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Franklin led the NFL with 173 tackles in 2024 but saw a performance decline in 2025, finishing with 125 tackles, two sacks, and several tackles for loss in 17 starts. With two years remaining on his three-year, $31.3 million deal signed in 2024, the Colts have a $2.5 million dead cap option if he is not traded. Franklin’s departure would mark a significant roster shift for Indianapolis.
Christian Watson Aiming to Build Consistency Following Injury-Shortened 2025 Season
Wide receiver Christian Watson missed the first seven weeks of the 2025 season recovering from a late 2024 ACL injury but showed strong performance upon his return. Over ten games, Watson maintained a pace equivalent to 60 catches, 1,039 yards, and 10 touchdowns over a full 17-game season. With the departure of Romeo Doubs to free agency, Watson is expected to take on the Packers’ WR1 duties. Tight end Tucker Kraft, who led the team in receiving before an ACL injury sidelined him for nine games, is likely to return, and rookie Matthew Golden, who showed promise despite no touchdowns last year, may also increase his role. Watson’s career-high 2.51 yards per route run in 2025 highlights his potential to become a focal point of the Green Bay offense.
Running Back Chris Brooks Re-Signs for Two More Years with Packers
The Green Bay Packers secured running back Chris Brooks on a two-year, $4.85 million contract as reported by Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Brooks, who served as the team’s third-string running back in 2025 behind Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson, carried the ball 27 times for 106 yards and caught 13 passes for 91 yards. While Wilson, an impending restricted free agent, is unlikely to return, Brooks is expected to maintain his role as RB3 in 2026, likely behind Jacobs and MarShawn Lloyd, health permitting. Brooks, 26, entered the league as an undrafted free agent from BYU and has accumulated 395 rushing yards and one touchdown across his first three NFL seasons, including a rookie year with the Miami Dolphins.
Potential Interest in Quarterback Malik Willis from the New York Jets and Dolphins
Free-agent quarterback Malik Willis is linked to several teams, with the Miami Dolphins being a primary contender following coaching and front office hires from Green Bay, reported by The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. The New York Jets also possess substantial salary cap space — third-most in the NFL with $89 million — which increases their ability to pursue Willis, who boasts significant upside despite uncertainties surrounding his fit. While the Dolphins’ familiarity with Willis could benefit his return, the Jets offer a financially viable landing spot, though the team’s success at quarterback after missing on Justin Fields has raised questions about commitment to the position. The projected market for Willis may reach around two years and $60 million, with the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons also in the mix, potentially offering better playing situations but less money.
