The Green Bay Packers are heading into the offseason with a clear priority in the trenches - and this time, it's not about protecting Jordan Love. It’s about reinforcing the heart of their defensive front. Specifically, the Packers are in the market for a true nose tackle, a big-bodied anchor who can handle double teams, clog up running lanes, and free up playmakers like Devonte Wyatt to do what they do best.
Let’s start with what they already have. Wyatt, the team’s top interior lineman, is expected to return fully healthy after suffering a broken fibula on Thanksgiving Day.
He’s a disruptive force at the three-technique - the guy who lines up just outside the guard and shoots gaps. But he’s not a classic nose tackle.
That’s where the Packers are thin.
Last season, Green Bay leaned on Warren Brinson to fill in for Kenny Clark, and while Brinson held his own, he’s not built for the role long-term. At 6-foot-4 and 273 pounds, he’s undersized for the nose - a position that demands mass, leverage, and the ability to absorb contact from both the center and a guard on virtually every snap. That’s why teams covet those massive zero- or one-technique linemen who can hold the point of attack and make life easier for everyone around them.
Nazir Stackhouse, an undrafted rookie who played in 13 games last season, does have the size at 6-foot-4, 327 pounds. But relying on a UDFA to be your primary run-stuffer is a gamble - especially if you're serious about shoring up a defense that needs to be more consistent up the middle.
That brings us to two names drawing buzz as potential free-agent targets: Khyiris Tonga and Roy Lopez. Both have ties to new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, and both fit the mold of what the Packers are looking for at nose tackle.
Khyiris Tonga: Familiar Face, Big Body
Tonga is no stranger to NFC North football. Originally a seventh-round pick by the Bears in 2021, the 6-foot-2, 335-pounder has bounced around a bit - with stops in Minnesota, Arizona, and most recently, New England. He played under Gannon with the Cardinals in 2024, so there’s already a level of familiarity with the system.
Last season, Tonga suited up for 14 games with the Patriots, starting eight. He recorded 24 tackles (nine solo), three run stuffs, and even batted down two passes.
He’s not flashy, but that’s not what you want from a nose tackle. You want stout.
You want steady. And Tonga brings that.
He’s a space-eater who understands his role - absorb blockers, muddy up the interior, and let the linebackers clean up.
From a cap standpoint, Spotrac estimates Tonga’s next deal could come in around $3 million per year. That’s solid value for a rotational or starting-caliber interior lineman with scheme familiarity and playoff experience.
Roy Lopez: Underrated and Ascending
Then there’s Roy Lopez, who might not be as widely known but has quietly put together a strong résumé. At 6-foot-2, 312 pounds, Lopez is slightly lighter than Tonga but still plenty stout for the nose. A sixth-round pick by the Texans in 2021, he also played under Gannon in Arizona in both 2023 and 2024.
In 2025, Lopez was with the Detroit Lions, logging 185 snaps at nose tackle and earning a solid 76.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. That’s no small feat, especially given the physical demands of playing inside. Lopez showed he can hold his ground and be disruptive when called upon.
He played last season on a one-year, $3.5 million deal, and Spotrac projects his next contract could land closer to $6.4 million annually. That’s a bit more of an investment, but it reflects his upward trajectory and the scarcity of quality young nose tackles on the market.
Why It Matters
The Packers’ defense has shown flashes, but to take that next step, they need to be better against the run - and that starts up front. With Wyatt returning and the edge rush in good hands, plugging the middle with a true nose tackle could be the missing piece.
Both Tonga and Lopez offer affordable, scheme-fit options with proven experience and ties to Gannon. Whether it’s Tonga’s size and familiarity or Lopez’s upside and recent production, either would be a step in the right direction for a Green Bay front that needs more bite at the point of attack.
The Packers aren’t looking for a superstar here. They’re looking for a tone-setter - someone who can do the dirty work and let the rest of the defense fly around. With free agency on the horizon, don’t be surprised if one of these Gannon-connected big men ends up in green and gold.