The Green Bay Packers head into the 2026 offseason with a lot to like about their roster-but there’s no question the edge rusher position needs attention. And depending on how things shake out with Rashan Gary and Micah Parsons, that need could go from “nice to have” to “must address ASAP.”
Let’s start with the big question: Rashan Gary. He’s a potential cap casualty this offseason, and if the Packers decide to move on, they’ll be staring at a major void on the edge.
On the flip side, if Gary sticks around, the Packers will still need to bolster the position-just not with the same urgency. Either way, depth and production off the edge are going to be priorities.
Then there’s the Micah Parsons situation. The All-Pro pass rusher, who was acquired in a blockbuster deal, is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in December.
There’s real concern he won’t be ready for the start of the season, and even if he is, it’s fair to expect a ramp-up period before he’s back to full speed. That makes the need for a reliable rotational rusher even more pressing.
Enter Boye Mafe.
Mafe, the 25-year-old edge rusher from the Seattle Seahawks, is an intriguing free-agent target for Green Bay. He’s coming off a down year in 2025-just two sacks in 17 games-but the dip in production doesn’t tell the whole story. His snap count dropped for a second straight season, and he was used more as a rotational piece than a featured pass rusher.
But rewind to 2023 and 2024, and you’ll see the upside. Mafe notched 15 sacks over those two seasons, including a breakout nine-sack campaign in 2023.
That kind of production doesn’t just disappear. It suggests there’s still plenty left in the tank if he lands in the right situation-especially one that gives him consistent reps and a clearly defined role.
That’s where the Packers come in. With their current cap situation-$1.4 million over the limit-they’re not shopping at the top of the market.
But Mafe could be the kind of value signing who fits both the budget and the scheme. He’s the classic “buy-low” candidate: a player with proven upside who’s looking to reset his value.
Spotrac projects Mafe to land a two-year, $16 million deal in free agency. But given his recent dip in production, there’s a real possibility he signs a one-year “prove-it” deal instead-something in the $5-7 million range. That kind of contract would be far more palatable for a team like Green Bay that’s trying to balance roster improvement with financial flexibility.
If that’s the route Mafe takes, the Packers should absolutely be in the mix. He wouldn’t be expected to carry the pass rush on his own, but he could provide meaningful snaps opposite Gary (if he stays) or help hold down the fort while Parsons works his way back.
And if he hits? Suddenly, Green Bay has a high-ceiling edge rusher on a team-friendly deal.
Bottom line: the Packers need help off the edge, and Boye Mafe checks a lot of boxes-upside, affordability, and a track record of production when given the opportunity. If the price is right, this is the kind of move that could quietly pay big dividends.