The Green Bay Packers are heading into one of their more intriguing offseasons in recent memory. This is a team that’s close-very close-to being a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
But there are still a few key areas that need to be addressed before they can make that leap. Cornerback, the defensive line, and offensive line depth are all on the radar.
And with a brand-new defensive coaching staff in place-possibly bringing in a new scheme-there’s a lot of change in the air.
One wrinkle to this offseason? For the first time since 2017, the Packers won’t be drafting in the first round.
That’s the cost of doing business when you trade for a player like Micah Parsons. And while that move could pay off in a big way, it also means Green Bay will need to be sharp with its draft capital and roster management.
Beyond the trenches and the defense, there’s another layer to this offseason: contract extensions. The Packers have a few names to think about, and one of them-tight end Tucker Kraft-feels like a no-brainer. Kraft has established himself as a foundational piece of the offense, and there’s little doubt the team will look to lock him up before he gets anywhere near free agency.
But the more complicated conversation starts at wide receiver.
Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks: What’s Next?
Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks both have deals that run through 2026, but the Packers have to start thinking about their long-term plans now. Do they extend one-or both-early? Or let the 2026 season play out and evaluate after?
To understand the situation, it helps to look at the wide receiver room beyond 2026. As of now, the only receivers under contract past that point are 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden and third-rounder Savion Williams.
Christian Watson was set to hit free agency this offseason, but the Packers brought him back on a one-year deal. The expectation is they’ll revisit that deal again soon-assuming he stays healthy-because Watson brings a unique blend of size and speed that no one else on the roster replicates.
If he’s productive, it’s hard to imagine the Packers letting him walk at just 27 years old.
So, the projected core in 2026 and beyond? Golden, Williams, and likely Watson. That’s a strong trio, but it also complicates the futures of Reed and Wicks.
Jayden Reed: A Slot Star in a Crowded Room
Coming into 2025, the expectation was that Reed would take a leap. He had been the offense’s go-to YAC guy-until Kraft emerged and took over that role.
But then came the Week 2 injury, and Reed never really got his season off the ground. He played in just eight games, including the playoffs, and finished with 19 catches for 207 yards and a touchdown, plus 28 yards rushing.
It’s fair to wonder what his numbers would’ve looked like with a full season under his belt.
In 2024-his last full season-Reed played about 75% of his snaps from the slot, which is also where Golden thrives. That overlap creates a redundancy that could limit Reed’s long-term role.
With Reed sidelined, Matt LaFleur used Savion Williams in more of a gadget role, running jet sweeps and creating mismatches. That’s not Reed’s game, and it signals a potential shift in how the Packers want to use their receivers.
After the team drafted Golden and Williams, reports surfaced that Reed and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, met with the Packers to discuss his status. Reed downplayed the meeting, saying it was misunderstood and simply part of bringing Rosenhaus on board.
But it’s hard to ignore the timing. Reed likely saw the writing on the wall.
If Green Bay doesn’t offer him an extension this offseason, 2026 becomes a pivotal year. If Golden and Williams continue to carve out bigger roles, Reed could find himself the odd man out. And if that’s the case, it’s hard to see him sticking around in 2027.
Dontayvion Wicks: The Route Technician with Upside-and Questions
Wicks is a different story. Unlike Reed, Golden, or Williams, there’s no one else on the roster with his particular skill set.
He’s the best route runner on the team, full stop. His ability to create separation is elite-he led all NFL receivers in 2024 with an 82.14% success rate in that category.
That’s the kind of number that gets you compared to guys like Davante Adams, and for good reason.
He’s also had moments where he’s looked like a future star. His breakout came on Thanksgiving against the Lions, where he racked up six catches for 94 yards and two scores in a game that he nearly won single-handedly. That kind of performance shows what he’s capable of when healthy and locked in.
But consistency and durability are still question marks. Wicks missed a few games as a rookie and sat out two more this past season, including the Wild Card loss to the Bears.
There were also concerns about drops heading into 2025. To his credit, he cleaned that up for the most part-but it’s still something the front office will factor into any long-term decision.
So, can the Packers trust Wicks enough to invest big money? That’s the million-dollar question.
The Likely Path: Wait and See
Right now, it feels like the Packers are going to let this play out. Reed and Wicks both have upside, but they also come with enough question marks that it doesn’t make sense to jump the gun on extensions. With Romeo Doubs likely on his way out-he led the team with 85 targets last season-there will be opportunities for both Reed and Wicks to step up.
If either of them seizes that moment in 2026, they’ll put themselves in position for a new deal. But it’s unlikely that Green Bay will pay WR1 money unless one of them truly earns it. The team already has significant investments elsewhere, and with Golden, Williams, and potentially Watson locked in, there’s not a lot of room-or budget-for overpaying at the position.
Still, the door isn’t closed. One strong season could change everything. For Reed and Wicks, 2026 is shaping up to be a make-or-break year.