Although the legal tampering period for free agency doesn’t begin until March 10th, the Green Bay Packers don’t have to wait to re-sign their own players. They have the opportunity to lock in a few key contributors before the frenzy of free agency begins.
The Packers find themselves in an intriguing position. Following a disappointing exit in the Wild Card round, they’re left to reflect on what went wrong while also recognizing how close they are to something special.
The good news is that the foundation for a Super Bowl contender is in place. The roster is strong, the salary cap is manageable, and Green Bay has clear areas to address to take the next step.
The challenge now is identifying which players are critical to that next step. Not every pending free agent will return, but there are a few the Packers simply can’t afford to lose.
Here are four Packers who must be re-signed immediately to keep the team moving forward in 2025.
1. Brandon McManus
There aren’t many free agents the Packers absolutely need to re-sign this offseason, but kicker Brandon McManus sits firmly at the top of that short list. In a season where stability was desperately needed in the kicking game, McManus delivered.
McManus connected on 21 of his 23 field goal attempts during his time in Green Bay and was perfect on all 31 of his extra points. That level of consistency is exactly what the Packers have been searching for since Mason Crosby’s prime.
After a carousel of free-agent kickers and inconsistent performances in recent years, McManus gave Green Bay the reliability they’d been missing.
Yes, he missed a field goal in the playoffs, but one misstep shouldn’t overshadow his steady contributions throughout the season. The last thing the Packers want is to return to the uncertainty of the kicker market. Finding a reliable option is easier said than done, and the risk of instability at such a critical position isn’t worth the gamble.
Re-signing McManus should be one of Green Bay’s top priorities this offseason. Locking him in early ensures the Packers won’t have to revisit the issue and can focus their resources on addressing other areas of need.
2. T.J. Slaton
The Packers’ run defense emerged as one of the team’s core strengths this season. Green Bay ranked tenth in rushing touchdowns allowed, seventh in total rushing yards allowed, and an impressive third in yards per attempt.
At the heart of that success was T.J. Slaton, the team’s largest presence on the defensive side of the ball.
Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 330 pounds, Slaton brought a commanding physicality to the Packers’ defensive line. His size and strength made him a vital piece in the middle, where he consistently disrupted opposing run games and occupied blockers to free up teammates for tackles.
Slaton’s growth was evident this season. He earned a starting job over former first-round pick Devonte Wyatt during the preseason and held onto the role all year.
While he won’t often make highlight-reel plays or rack up gaudy stats, his disciplined play and ability to anchor the line were crucial to Green Bay’s defensive success. He does the dirty work, allowing other playmakers to shine—a role every good defense needs.
Now an unrestricted free agent after completing his rookie contract, Slaton presents an interesting decision for the Packers. He won’t command a massive deal, and Green Bay shouldn’t overpay for his services. However, letting him walk would create a hole in a defensive line that thrived in large part due to his presence.
Re-signing Slaton at a reasonable price would allow the Packers to maintain one of their key strengths while keeping continuity along the defensive front. Following a season where he played some of the best football of his career, bringing him back should be a priority.
3. Daniel Whelan
As the Packers’ punter, Daniel Whelan was nothing short of a game-changer, flipping field position and consistently putting opponents in tough spots. Now, as an exclusive rights free agent, re-signing him is a no-brainer.
Whelan averaged an impressive 46.1 yards per punt in 2024 and placed nearly 40 percent of his punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. His ability to pin teams deep gave Green Bay’s defense a massive advantage throughout the season.
Whether it was booming kicks to flip field position or precision punts to eliminate return opportunities, Whelan was a weapon in every sense of the word.
Negotiations between Whelan and the Packers shouldn’t take long. As an exclusive rights free agent, Green Bay holds all the leverage, but it’s clear the two sides need each other. Whelan has proven his value, and locking him into a multi-year deal is the logical move.
4. Emmanuel Wilson
Green Bay overhauled their running back position last year, letting Aaron Jones walk and bringing in Josh Jacobs in his steed.
They won’t need to do that all over again this season, instead, they should build on the success they had in 2024. Jacobs, Chris Brooks and 2024 third-rounder MarShawn Lloyd will all be back. That list should include Emmanuel Wilson as well.
Wilson, another exclusive rights free agent, isn’t going to change games by himself. What he does bring is steady production and reliability, qualities every successful backfield needs. He’s shown he can gain tough yards on the ground and contribute in pass protection.
Re-signing Wilson should be a straightforward decision. His deal will be team-friendly given his exclusive rights status, and he provides valuable insurance behind Jacobs and the rest of the backfield. With Wilson in the mix, the Packers can maintain the continuity and balance that helped make their rushing attack effective in 2024.
