As December rolls in, the Green Bay Packers are navigating a stretch of meaningful games, each one carrying significant weight for their postseason hopes. But for a handful of players, these games could mark the end of their time in green and gold.

The NFL is relentless in its pursuit of competitive edges. Roster turnover is a cold inevitability, dictated by cap space, performance, and long-term planning. Sentimentality rarely enters the equation when front offices make tough decisions.

These five players have left their mark on the franchise, pouring sweat, blood, and effort into every snap. Yet, the reality of the league is catching up to them. Whether due to expiring contracts, declining production, or a youth movement at their positions, this December might be their last hurrah with the Packers.

Josh Myers

The Packers selected Josh Myers with the 62nd overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, handing him the keys to the starting center position from Day 1. It was a big vote of confidence for the Ohio State product, but three years later, it’s fair to wonder if the bet has paid off.

Myers has been durable, starting all 52 games he’s played. Unfortunately, his performance hasn’t kept pace with his availability. Once viewed as a steadying presence, he now looks like a player whose best football might already be behind him.

Pro Football Focus ranks Myers as the second-worst center among 39 players with enough snaps to qualify, a damning indictment of his struggles in both pass protection and the run game. The latter has been especially glaring—too often, Myers allows his man to slip by, disrupting plays before they can develop.

As an unrestricted free agent this offseason, Myers faces an uphill climb to secure his future in Green Bay. The Packers have internal candidates—like Elgton Jenkins or Sean Rhyan—who could slide over to center, along with potential draft options to bolster the position.

With limited cap flexibility and an eye on long-term upgrades, it’s hard to see a compelling reason for the team to invest in a below-average starter.

Eric Wilson/Isaiah McDuffie

The writing may already be on the wall for Eric Wilson and Isaiah McDuffie. The Packers sent a clear signal during the 2024 NFL Draft by investing second- and third-round picks in linebackers Edgerrin Cooper and Ty’Ron Hopper, setting the stage for a youth movement at the position.

Cooper has shown flashes of the playmaking ability that made him a Day 2 pick. He’s fast, physical, and starting to piece together the mental and technical aspects of the game. Whether he’s flying downfield in coverage or shooting gaps behind the line of scrimmage, Cooper has displayed the potential to be a dynamic defender.

Hopper, on the other hand, has been an afterthought. With only seven defensive snaps to his name this season, it’s clear the coaching staff isn’t ready to trust him in meaningful situations just yet.

Meanwhile, Wilson and McDuffie have been thrust into starting roles, and the results have exposed one of Green Bay’s biggest weaknesses. Both players have limitations in coverage and lack the sideline-to-sideline speed that modern linebackers need to thrive.

With both veterans hitting free agency this offseason, it’s hard to envision a scenario where the Packers retain both, especially as they look to overhaul the position. Between Quay Walker, Cooper, and Hopper already under contract, Green Bay will likely use the draft or free agency to add competition and raise the floor at linebacker. Wilson and McDuffie have given what they could, but the Packers seem poised to turn the page.

TJ Slaton

After a sluggish start to the season, the Packers’ defensive line has finally shown signs of life. Kenny Clark is back to collapsing pockets and Rashan Gary is wreaking more havoc off the edge. However, there’s still work to be done.

Unfortunately for TJ Slaton, he hasn’t quite caught the same wave.

When new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley came in, he shifted the philosophy up front. No more space-eaters and gap-holders—Hafley wanted his interior linemen to attack, to disrupt, to live in the backfield. It’s a great idea in theory, but not every lineman is built for that approach.

Slaton earned a starting job coming out of camp, but his production hasn’t matched the opportunity. In 13 games, he’s managed just one sack and 12 total tackles. While nobody expected him to suddenly become Aaron Donald, the lack of impact in all phases has been disappointing.

PFF grades him as the 102nd-best interior lineman among 116 qualifiers—a reflection of a season where Slaton has struggled to adjust to his new responsibilities.

With Slaton set to hit unrestricted free agency, the Packers are likely preparing to move on. Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Colby Wooden, and Karl Brooks form a promising core for the interior defensive line heading into next season. Paying to keep Slaton around when his fit in Hafley’s scheme looks shaky at best doesn’t make much sense.

Slaton was a solid find in the fifth round of the 2021 draft and carved out a role during his time in Green Bay. But as the Packers evolve their defensive identity, his tenure with the team appears to be nearing its conclusion.

Eric Stokes

For some players, the future in Green Bay is uncertain—a conversation written in pencil, ready to be adjusted. For Eric Stokes, that conversation might as well be carved in stone.

At this point, there’s little Stokes can do to convince the Packers he’s worth bringing back after the season. Green Bay already declined his fifth-year option—a decision that looks more prescient with each passing week. Even as the Packers deal with glaring struggles in their secondary, Stokes has given them no reason to second-guess that call.

Whether it’s the lingering effects of injuries or a broader regression in his game, Stokes is a shadow of the promising rookie we saw in 2021. He’s routinely beaten off the snap, unable to stick with receivers of any caliber, and has become a magnet for opposing quarterbacks looking for a quick strike.

What’s more troubling is the ease with which opponents exploit him. Stokes isn’t even forcing difficult completions—he’s giving up clean, uncontested wins that scream liability. His ball skills, once a point of optimism, have completely vanished. Stokes hasn’t recorded a pass breakup or interception since late in his rookie season, a baffling drought for a corner drafted in the first round.

The Packers have a mountain of questions at cornerback heading into the offseason. Jaire Alexander’s availability has become a dice roll due to injuries, and the depth behind him has been shaky at best. But one thing is crystal clear: Stokes will not be part of the solution. His time in Green Bay is nearing its inevitable conclusion.