GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers have reportedly extended tenders to the majority, if not all, of their exclusive-rights free agents. Sources indicate that running back Emanuel Wilson, punter Daniel Whelan, safety Zayne Anderson, and offensive lineman Kadeem Telfort received tenders this week. An exclusive-rights free agent is a player with one or two years of experience whose contract has expired; the team has exclusive rights to retain such a player.
Wilson, who was not selected in the 2023 draft, joined the Packers after a brief stint with the Broncos. In 2024, with AJ Dillon sidelined all season and MarShawn Lloyd out for most of it, Wilson stepped up as Josh Jacobs’ main backup, rushing 103 times for 502 yards and four touchdowns. Among the 46 running backs with 100 or more carries, he stood seventh with 4.9 yards per carry—about half a yard more than Jacobs. He was 14th in yards after contact per carry, at 3.0 yards, according to Sports Info Solutions, and he did not fumble. On five third-and-1 attempts, he converted all into first downs.
Whelan averaged 46.1 yards per punt with a net average of 40.2 yards, ranking 25th and 26th in the league, respectively, but third in Packers history. He consistently gave the team an advantage in field position and excelled as a holder on kicks. “I often talk about how some guys are on the rollercoaster,” special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia remarked. “It clinks and clanks as it climbs, but it hasn’t reached the peak yet. He’s still on that climb. I believe he hasn’t played his best game yet, so there’s much room for improvement.”
Anderson, who went undrafted in 2021, didn’t see any defensive action with the Chiefs in 2021 and 2022 or with the Packers in 2023, but he started two games and played 123 snaps in 2024. He proved to be a reliable backup, recording seven tackles, one interception, and two passes defended. Moreover, he ranked second on the team with nine special teams tackles.
“It feels surreal,” he said after intercepting a pass against the Saints. “I’ve been striving for this for years, and now I’m finally playing some defense. It feels like a long time coming, but I have to thank God for being with me all these years, and for the opportunity the coaches have given me. I feel incredibly blessed.”
Telfort, an undrafted free agent in 2023, spent his first year on the practice squad without playtime but participated in 16 games in 2024. He played 23 snaps during the regular season and was thrust into action for 39 snaps in the playoff loss to the Eagles after Elgton Jenkins got injured and rookie Travis Glover struggled. “I made a significant leap from last year to this year, focusing on the details,” Telfort shared during training camp. “Talking to veterans like Elgton and Zach Tom, I ask questions to clear my mind and play faster, giving me an edge.”
The Packers also have two other exclusive-rights free agents, receiver Bo Melton and defensive end Arron Mosby, whom they are likely to retain as well. Melton, a seventh-round pick by Seattle in 2022, caught 16 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown in 2023, and added eight receptions for 91 yards plus eight rushes for 54 yards in 2024. Mosby, an undrafted free agent in 2023, contributed eight tackles, half a sack, and two passes defended in 2024—more pass breakups than cornerback Eric Stokes.
