As the calendar turns to the New Year, the Green Bay Packers are gearing up for a postseason run. But while the team focuses on its Super Bowl ambitions, a handful of individual players may be bracing for their final snaps in a Packers uniform.
The NFL is an unforgiving business. Front offices are tasked with making cold, calculated decisions that prioritize the franchise’s future over individual players’ stories. For some, that reality will soon come crashing down, as their time in Green Bay appears to be nearing its end.
Here’s a closer look at five Packers who might be playing their final game(s) with the franchise.
1. Eric Stokes
The writing is already on the wall for Eric Stokes, but that doesn’t make it any easier to see his time in Green Bay likely coming to an end.
Stokes burst onto the scene as a rookie, showcasing a rare blend of size, speed, and athleticism that allowed him to thrive opposite Jaire Alexander. His ability to hold his own in coverage gave the Packers a promising tandem at cornerback and hinted at a bright future.
But that promise was short-lived. Injuries derailed his development, sidelining him for much of his second and third seasons. Entering 2024, Stokes hadn’t played meaningful football in over a year and a half. And while he managed to stay healthy this season, the player Green Bay saw as a rookie hasn’t returned.
The decline has been sharp and undeniable. Stokes has struggled mightily in coverage, often looking a step behind and failing to make the kind of plays that once made him a rising star. It’s been a tough watch, and the Packers responded accordingly, declining his fifth-year option and effectively signaling that 2024 would be his last season under contract.
Although the door isn’t officially closed—Green Bay could theoretically re-sign him in the offseason—there’s little reason to believe a reunion is in the cards. Both sides would benefit from a fresh start.
2. Malik Willis
The Packers pulled off one of the most lopsided trades of the season, acquiring Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans for a mere seventh-round pick in 2025. What looked like a minor preseason move has turned into highway robbery for Green Bay, as Willis has been nothing short of terrific in his role.
Originally a third-round pick in 2022, Willis has found new life in Green Bay. He started two games early in the season when Jordan Love went down with an injury, leading the Packers to two critical victories.
Later, in a late-October matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Willis stepped in again and delivered another win. His composure, athleticism, and playmaking ability have been a revelation.
In six games this season, Willis has completed an impressive 73.2 percent of his passes for 414 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. His mobility has also added a dynamic element to Matt LaFleur’s offense, as he’s rushed 19 times for 135 yards and a touchdown.
Although Willis isn’t Love, his presence ensures Green Bay doesn’t lose all hope if Love were to miss time. He has cemented himself as the best backup quarterback in the NFL.
Even better, the Packers have him under contract for just $1.4 million in 2025, making him one of the best value deals in the league.
With all of that working in their favor, the Packers won’t feel any pressure to trade him in the offseason. However, they’d be wise to keep their ears open for trade offers.
Willis’ strong performances and potential make him an intriguing asset for quarterback-needy teams, especially franchises desperate enough to overpay. With a handful of organizations perpetually searching for answers at quarterback, it’s not far-fetched to imagine a team offering a first- or second-round pick for Willis.
For Green Bay to entertain a trade, the price would have to be steep. Anything less than a high draft pick likely wouldn’t justify losing Willis, especially when the Packers could collect a compensatory pick if he leaves in free agency after 2025. But in a league where desperate teams make desperate decisions, all it takes is one general manager to overpay.
3. Eric Wilson and/or Isaiah McDuffie
No position on the Packers’ roster has faced more scrutiny than linebacker. Long a problem area for the team, Green Bay entered the 2024 season with a patchwork solution after moving on from the underperforming De’Vondre Campbell.
The result has been a mix of promising young talent and stopgap veterans stepping into roles they may not have been ready to fill full-time.
Quay Walker, the 2022 first-round pick, was supposed to be the centerpiece of the linebacking corps. With all the physical tools in the world, Walker flashes brilliance at times, but his struggles diagnosing plays often leave him out of position.
For much of the season, he looked more like a project than a finished product. Ironically, just as Walker began to turn the corner and play the best football of his career, he was sidelined by an injury.
Fortunately, rookie Edgerrin Cooper has been a revelation, providing a level of playmaking Green Bay hasn’t seen from the position in years.
He has the speed and instincts to attack the backfield, while his athleticism allows him to hold his own in coverage against tight ends and running backs. His emergence gives the Packers a cornerstone at linebacker moving forward.
Add in Ty’Ron Hopper, a third-round pick with upside who’s waiting for his opportunity, and Green Bay has the makings of a young, dynamic linebacker group.
That leaves the futures of Eric Wilson and Isaiah McDuffie in doubt. Both veterans have been admirable this season, filling in where needed and providing stability in a turbulent unit. However, neither is a long-term solution, and with Walker, Cooper, and Hopper under contract next season, Green Bay likely doesn’t have room for both Wilson and McDuffie.
The Packers could consider bringing one of them back if the price is right, but both players are set to hit unrestricted free agency and may be seeking a payday bump that Green Bay isn’t inclined to offer. The team has cheaper, higher-upside alternatives already on the roster, making it unlikely they’ll prioritize retaining either veteran.
4. Josh Myers
Josh Myers leaving the Packers this offseason has become one of the worst-kept secrets in Green Bay.
Drafted in the second round in 2021, Myers was immediately thrust into the starting center role, where he’s remained ever since. But after three-plus underwhelming seasons, it’s clear the Packers are ready to move on.
Myers has struggled to meet expectations in every phase of the game. While he possesses a high football IQ and a strong grasp of the mental side of the position, his physical tools have consistently failed to catch up. He often struggles to hold blocks against stronger defensive linemen and fails to create the kind of running lanes the Packers’ coaching staff expects from their center.
The result has been a steady decline in performance. Myers’ Pro Football Focus grade has dropped in each of the past three seasons, hitting rock bottom this year. Among 42 eligible centers, he ranks 39th—a damning statistic for a player once expected to anchor the offensive line.
With Myers set to hit free agency, the Packers are unlikely to retain him.
Fortunately, they have no shortage of options to replace him. Internally, Green Bay has several intriguing possibilities. First-round pick Jordan Morgan could slide into a guard spot, allowing the versatile Elgton Jenkins or Sean Rhyan to shift to center. The team also has high hopes for Jacob Monk, whose athleticism and versatility make him a long-term developmental project.
Beyond internal candidates, the Packers will likely explore the draft and free agency.
While a marquee free-agent signing at center is possible given Green Bay’s projected cap space, the more plausible approach is using a Day 2 or early Day 3 pick to address the position. General manager Brian Gutekunst has shown a knack for finding talent in the middle rounds, and the center position is ripe for an infusion of youth and upside.
No matter which path the Packers take, all signs point to Myers’ departure. His tenure in Green Bay has been a disappointment, but the team appears well-positioned to find a solution.
5. Jaire Alexander
The vibes around Jaire Alexander haven’t been great for a couple of years now. Once considered one of the league’s premier cornerbacks, Alexander has faced scrutiny both on and off the field as questions about his role, health, and future with the Packers linger.
Last season, tensions boiled over between Alexander and former defensive coordinator Joe Barry. Barry’s preference for a passive defensive scheme clashed with Alexander’s desire to play aggressively, pressing opposing receivers at the line of scrimmage.
The conflict came to a head when Alexander appointed himself team captain for a pre-game coin flip without approval. The move resulted in a one-game suspension for disciplinary reasons.
The offseason brought hope for a reset when Green Bay replaced Barry with Jeff Hafley, whose defensive philosophy seemed more aligned with Alexander’s strengths. To his credit, there’s been no indication of ongoing friction between Alexander and the coaching staff this year.
Yet, the weird vibes haven’t completely disappeared—this time, surrounding his injury status.
Alexander has essentially missed the Packers’ last eight games. While he technically suited up in Week 10 against the Chicago Bears, he played just a handful of snaps before exiting for good. This marks the third time in four seasons that Alexander has appeared in fewer than eight games, raising concerns about his durability.
Injuries are an unfortunate reality of the NFL, and Alexander can’t be blamed for his misfortune. However, what’s puzzling is the disconnect between his practice participation and game availability. He’s been practicing for weeks, yet the Packers have ruled him out well in advance of recent games. Something doesn’t add up, and the uncertainty is unsettling for a team that relies on him to anchor their secondary.
The best ability is availability, and right now, Alexander’s lack of it is forcing the Packers to evaluate their options.
Moving on from Alexander would be a bold and unexpected move, but it’s not entirely out of the question. Cutting him after this season would result in $18.1 million in dead cap but free up $7.3 million in space—money that could be used to pursue a more reliable alternative at cornerback.
A decision of this magnitude would send shockwaves through Green Bay, but it’s one the front office may have to consider if Alexander’s availability continues to be an issue.
