Packers Retain Core 20 Starters, Assess Rookie Contract Decisions for 2026

The Green Bay Packers finished the previous season with an 11-6 record but were disappointed with their performance, settling for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs and losing in the Wild Card round to the eventual Super Bowl champions. General manager Brian Gutekunst has emphasized the need for increased urgency and championship contention as the team returns 20 of 22 starters and has made roster upgrades via free agency and the draft. Wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks, who had an impressive rookie season in 2023, struggled significantly in 2024, leading the team in targets but with a low catch rate and numerous drops, highlighting inconsistency in his development. Looking ahead to 2025, the Packers face critical decisions as many young players from the 2022 draft class approach the end of their rookie contracts, forcing tough choices on which players to retain, including key contributors like Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson. The team’s ability to build on its young talent and manage contract extensions effectively will be pivotal to its future success. Additionally, parallels were drawn between Packers legends and sports greats, such as Brett Favre’s trade and MVP trajectory, illustrating the franchise's history of turning trades into championship-caliber players.