The Green Bay Packers punched their ticket to the NFC playoffs in 2025 with a roster that leaned heavily on youth. That’s no small feat in a division as competitive as the NFC North. But if the Packers want to take the next step - from playoff participant to legitimate contender - this offseason could be all about finding the right balance between young talent and veteran presence.
One area that stands out? Defensive tackle.
While the free-agent market isn’t exactly overflowing with experience across the board, the defensive tackle position is shaping up to be an exception. And that’s good news for Green Bay, because it’s a spot where they could really use a boost.
Let’s rewind for a second. The Packers made a bold move before the 2025 season, trading away longtime anchor Kenny Clark in the deal that brought in star linebacker Micah Parsons.
Now, Parsons has been everything Green Bay could’ve hoped for - a game-wrecker with elite instincts and sideline-to-sideline speed. But the cost of that deal was felt up front.
Losing Clark left a noticeable void in the middle of the defensive line, and the interior group struggled to consistently control the line of scrimmage.
That’s where this offseason gets interesting.
There’s a deep pool of veteran defensive tackles set to hit the market, and it’s a group that brings a mix of run-stuffing ability, pocket disruption, and leadership - all things the Packers could use in the trenches. Among the names worth watching: John Franklin-Myers, David Onyemata, Calais Campbell, Sheldon Rankins, Sebastian Joseph, Roy Lopez, Teair Tart, Larry Ogunjobi, DJ Reader, and Shelby Harris.
Each of these players brings something different to the table. Franklin-Myers offers versatility and pass-rush upside.
Onyemata and Rankins have been steady interior presences with playoff experience. Campbell, even at this stage of his career, still commands attention with his size and savvy.
DJ Reader is a true nose tackle who can anchor against the run, while someone like Tart brings a physical edge that could inject some attitude into the front line.
What makes this situation particularly intriguing is that the Packers don’t need a superstar - they just need a stabilizing force. Someone who can eat up blocks, collapse the pocket on passing downs, and help free up Parsons and the rest of the linebacker corps to do what they do best.
It’s also worth noting that defensive tackle isn’t the flashiest position on the field. It’s not where the highlight reels are made, but it’s where games are often won - especially in the postseason, when the ability to stop the run and pressure the quarterback up the middle becomes even more valuable.
With a young core already in place and a defense that’s built around speed and aggression, adding a seasoned presence on the interior could be the missing piece for Green Bay. The talent is out there. The question now is whether the Packers will make a move to bring one of these veterans into the fold.
If they do, don’t be surprised if this unit takes a big leap forward in 2026.