The Green Bay Packers’ 2025 season was a rollercoaster-full of promise, flashes of brilliance, and ultimately, a harsh reminder that progress in the NFL is anything but linear. After a third straight playoff appearance under Jordan Love, Green Bay once again finds itself staring into an offseason defined not by sweeping changes, but by razor-thin margins.
The Wild Card collapse in Chicago wasn’t just a tough loss-it was a wake-up call. The Packers are close.
But staying close, let alone taking the next step, will depend on the choices they make in the coming weeks-especially when it comes to keeping their own guys in the building.
This offseason isn’t about splashy signings or headline-chasing trades. It’s about protecting Jordan Love’s prime and preserving the core of a roster that’s built to win now. That starts with re-signing the right players-players who’ve already proven they can be part of the solution in Green Bay.
A Season of Highs, Lows, and What-Ifs
Let’s rewind. The Packers went 9-7-1, securing another playoff berth, but the road there was anything but smooth.
The defense got a jolt early in the year with the addition of Micah Parsons, who immediately became a game-wrecker. He racked up 12.5 sacks and earned First-Team All-Pro honors before a torn ACL in Week 15 abruptly ended his season.
His absence down the stretch loomed large.
Even as injuries piled up-Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft among the key names sidelined-Jordan Love kept the offense afloat. He threw for 3,381 yards and 23 touchdowns, showing continued growth as the leader of this team.
At their peak, the Packers looked like legitimate contenders. They swept Detroit, flashed a high offensive ceiling, and played with a swagger that made you believe January football could run through Lambeau again.
But the cracks were there. Without Parsons, the defense lacked a consistent disruptor.
The offense, while efficient at times, struggled to close out games. And in the Wild Card round against Chicago, all of those issues came to a head.
Green Bay jumped out to a commanding 21-3 lead, dominating both sides of the ball early. But as the game wore on, the defense couldn’t generate pressure, and Caleb Williams took over.
Three fourth-quarter touchdown drives flipped the script. The offense, meanwhile, stalled out with four straight empty possessions.
Special teams miscues only added to the meltdown. The 31-27 loss wasn’t just painful-it was revealing.
The Roster Math: Keep the Core, Don’t Create New Problems
The Packers now face a familiar offseason dilemma: how to improve without tearing apart what’s working. That starts with internal retention. Letting key contributors walk would only open new holes on a roster that already has enough to address-cornerback depth, interior offensive line, and a kicking situation that needs fixing, just to name a few.
Here are three players the Packers simply can’t afford to lose:
Romeo Doubs - WR
Key Stats: 74 receptions, 1,012 yards, 8 touchdowns
Playoff performance: 124 yards in the Wild Card loss
Romeo Doubs didn’t just hit the 1,000-yard mark-he became Jordan Love’s go-to guy. In a young, talented receiver room, Doubs stood out as the technician.
He consistently won at the catch point, moved the chains on third down, and brought a level of trust that’s hard to quantify but easy to see. When Love targeted him, the passer rating soared above 118.
That’s not just chemistry-it’s a connection you build over time, and one that you don’t mess with lightly.
Doubs isn’t the flashiest name in the league, but he’s reliable, durable, and clearly trusted by his quarterback. Letting him walk would force Love to rebuild timing and trust with a new WR1-an unnecessary risk for an offense that already struggles with late-game consistency. If Green Bay is serious about maximizing Love’s prime, Doubs needs to be part of the plan.
Quay Walker - LB
Key Stats: 138 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception
Quay Walker’s 2025 season was a breakout in all the right ways. Under Jeff Hafley’s system, he finally put it all together-athleticism, discipline, and leadership. He led the team in tackles, took over as the defensive signal-caller, and became the steadying force in the middle of a defense that lost its anchor when Parsons went down.
Walker’s speed and range are tailor-made for today’s NFL. He’s one of the few linebackers in the league who can legitimately match the mobility of quarterbacks like Caleb Williams and Jared Goff.
And with Parsons expected back in 2026, Walker is the glue that holds the front seven together. Replacing his communication, sideline-to-sideline presence, and leadership would be a massive undertaking-and likely more expensive than simply keeping him in Green Bay.
Rasheed Walker - LT
Key Stats: 1,040 snaps, 3 sacks allowed, 2 penalties
Rasheed Walker may not be a household name, but inside the Packers’ facility, he’s become one of the most valuable pieces on the roster. Once a developmental project, Walker turned into a top-tier pass protector in 2025. He finished as a top-12 graded tackle in pass blocking and more than held his own against elite edge rushers week after week.
In a season where the interior offensive line had its share of struggles, Walker was the rock on the edge. For a franchise quarterback, blindside protection is non-negotiable-and quality left tackles rarely hit the open market. With Green Bay already looking at possible turnover at center and guard, creating another hole at left tackle would be asking for trouble.
Yes, there are some concerns about his off-the-field behavior, but on the field, Walker gives Jordan Love peace of mind. And that kind of security is worth every penny.
The Path Forward
Green Bay doesn’t need to blow it up. They need to reinforce what’s already working.
Re-signing Romeo Doubs, Quay Walker, and Rasheed Walker isn’t just about continuity-it’s about protecting the foundation of a team that’s on the cusp. The Packers have a window.
It’s open right now. But it stays open only if they resist the temptation to gamble on unproven replacements and instead double down on the core that’s already proven it can compete.
The next step isn’t about finding new stars. It’s about keeping the ones they’ve already developed.