The Green Bay Packers are primarily focusing on the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, but they haven’t completely wrapped up their free agency activities. As per the team’s official transaction records, the Packers have secured former Baltimore Ravens linebacker and special teams player, Kristian Welch, for the 2025 season.
His contract, according to Over the Cap, is a one-year deal worth $1.17 million. Welch, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020, has previously played for the Packers. He spent a significant portion of the 2023 season on their active roster, participating in 14 games and making six tackles while solely contributing to special teams.
Although Welch was not included in the Packers’ initial roster in 2024, he appeared in 15 games last year with the Denver Broncos (six games) and Ravens (nine games), marking his first two career starts and accumulating 13 tackles along with a fumble recovery. Welch must earn his spot on the Packers’ roster during this summer’s training camp, but he might be considered as a potential successor to veteran linebacker Eric Wilson, a key special teams player who left in free agency.
Over his five NFL seasons, Welch has logged 1,956 special teams snaps. Assessing Kristian Welch’s Effect on the Packers’ Linebacker Lineup: Welch is a crucial addition for depth following Wilson’s departure, but his exact role — whether extensive or minimal — with the 2025 Packers is yet to be determined. The Packers appear solid at the linebacker position about two weeks before the draft begins. They will have former first-round choice Quay Walker and 2024 rookie star Edgerrin Cooper as main starters, and they have extended a two-year, $8 million contract to key rotational player Isaiah McDuffie.
Furthermore, 2024 third-round pick Ty’Ron Hopper is poised to expand his role with the team after a relatively quiet rookie year. If Hopper progresses, Welch might struggle to secure a spot on the 53-man roster, especially if the Packers draft another rookie linebacker. Packers Might Seek Additional Linebacker Talent in 2025 NFL Draft: The Packers will face more pressing needs than linebackers when the draft kicks off in two weeks, but selecting a linebacker remains a possibility.
Though the Packers are likely confident in their linebacker situation for 2025, they must decide on Quay Walker’s fifth-year option for 2026 before the deadline on May 2. If they choose not to pick up his option, the team may soon find itself in need of another starting linebacker, even with Cooper and McDuffie present. Major linebacker additions could be postponed until the 2026 offseason, providing another year to thoroughly assess Cooper’s development and Walker’s potential extension. Nonetheless, selecting a linebacker in the 2025 draft, even in the later rounds, could offer some security regardless of future developments. The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled to commence at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 24.
