The Green Bay Packers didn’t get the ending they wanted in 2025. A season that began with promise was ultimately derailed by injuries and inconsistency, leaving them short of their playoff goals once again in the Jordan Love era. But while the disappointment stings, it also brought some much-needed clarity for general manager Brian Gutekunst as he looks ahead to 2026.
This roster has long been praised for its depth and construction - and rightfully so - but the results haven’t matched the blueprint. Gutekunst has already shown he's willing to break from tradition, being more aggressive than we’re used to seeing from Green Bay in both free agency and on the trade market.
That mindset will need to continue this offseason. Because even with injuries playing a role, the way 2025 ended means some tough decisions are coming.
And there are a few players the Packers simply need to move on from if they want to take the next step.
Let’s break down three names that top that list - starting with a former first-round pick whose production didn’t match the price tag.
1. Rashan Gary, EDGE
There’s no sugarcoating it - Rashan Gary’s 2025 season didn’t live up to expectations. On paper, 7.5 sacks and 20 quarterback hits might look serviceable.
But dig a little deeper, and the concerns start to pile up.
Gary didn’t record a single sack from November through the end of the season. For a player set to carry a cap hit north of $28 million in 2026, that’s a glaring issue. The Packers need consistent, game-changing production from their high-priced pass rushers, and Gary didn’t deliver down the stretch when it mattered most.
Now entering his age-29 season, Gary still has value - just not at that number, and probably not in Green Bay. There will be teams interested in giving him a short-term look, especially if the Packers are realistic about the return.
A fourth-round pick? That’s a win.
Multiple Day 3 picks? Even better.
A third-rounder? That would be a savvy piece of business by Gutekunst.
Either way, it’s time for a reset at edge rusher. Pairing a new face with Micah Parsons - who continues to be the motor of that front - could give this defense the fresh energy it needs.
2. Nate Hobbs, CB
The Packers' secondary was already in flux heading into the offseason, and the departure of defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley - now head coach of the Miami Dolphins - only adds to the uncertainty. That puts even more pressure on the cornerback room, which simply didn’t live up to expectations in 2025.
Nate Hobbs was one of the biggest disappointments. Signed to a $48 million deal, Hobbs carried the eighth-highest cap hit on the team at $13.05 million. But the on-field results didn’t match the investment.
He played just 11 games in his first season with the Packers, posted a 10% missed tackle rate, and allowed a passer rating of 111.1 when targeted. His 11.5 yards per completion allowed was the worst mark of his career. And with only two pass breakups on the year, Hobbs didn’t bring the kind of impact Green Bay needed - especially with the instability around him.
Unless the Packers see him strictly as a slot option - and even that’s a stretch - it’s hard to justify keeping him around at that price. The cornerback room needs a full rework, and moving on from Hobbs is a clear step in that direction.
3. Rasheed Walker, OT
Rasheed Walker’s story is one of those classic late-round finds - a seventh-rounder who developed into a starter and gave the Packers quality snaps over multiple seasons. But all good stories have an ending, and this one feels like it’s arrived.
Walker is set to hit free agency, and he could command more money on the open market than any other Packers free agent. But with the way things ended in 2025 - and the young talent waiting in the wings - it’s hard to see a reunion making sense.
Green Bay has high hopes for Jordan Morgan (a first-round pick) and Anthony Belton (a second-rounder), both of whom are expected to take big steps in 2026. That makes Walker expendable, especially when you consider his late-season struggles.
According to Pro Football Focus, Walker allowed nine pressures over the final two games and committed two costly penalties in the playoff loss to Chicago. His run-blocking grades dipped below 50 in those contests, highlighting a drop-off in form at the worst possible time.
Walker’s journey in Green Bay should be appreciated - he outplayed his draft slot and gave the Packers meaningful snaps. But given his likely price tag and the team’s investment in younger linemen, it’s time to turn the page.
Bottom Line
The Packers are at a pivotal point in the Jordan Love era.
The foundation is there - a promising young quarterback, a smart front office, and a roster with talent on both sides of the ball. But to truly compete, the margin for error gets smaller.
That means making tough calls, even on players who’ve been key parts of the locker room.
Moving on from Rashan Gary, Nate Hobbs, and Rasheed Walker isn’t just about clearing cap space - it’s about reshaping the roster to fit the next phase of this team’s evolution. And if Gutekunst continues to be aggressive, as he has in recent years, expect those moves to come sooner rather than later.