The Green Bay Packers are determined to take the next step this offseason. After sneaking into the playoffs as a Wild Card team, they’ve set their sights on joining the short list of legitimate Super Bowl contenders in 2025.

Achieving that goal will require tough decisions from general manager Brian Gutekunst, who must balance maintaining the team’s core with making necessary upgrades.

Part of that process involves moving on from players who no longer fit Green Bay’s long-term vision. Here are four Packers whose exits would be additions by subtractions this offseason.

Eric Wilson

Surprisingly, Eric Wilson earned a starting linebacker role during the preseason, an unexpected outcome given his profile as a depth player and special teams contributor. However, the regular season quickly exposed his limitations.

As a full-time defensive player, Wilson lacked the skill set to handle the demands of his expanded role. Blown coverage and inconsistent tackling became glaring issues. Green Bay’s defense struggled early on, in part because Wilson was overextended.

His tenure as a starter didn’t last long, as rookie sensation Edgerrin Cooper seized the job midseason and provided the athleticism and instinct the position needed.

Wilson’s strengths are better suited to a backup and special teams role, and he’s been a reliable contributor in that capacity. But as Green Bay continues to retool its linebacker group with younger, higher-upside players, there’s little room for Wilson moving forward. His status as an unrestricted free agent makes this an easier decision for the Packers.

As the Packers aim to turn their Wild Card appearance into a deep playoff run, parting ways with Wilson is a step toward building the kind of balanced, disciplined defense they’ll need to get there.

Eric Stokes

Eric Stokes’ tenure with the Packers serves as a harsh reminder of how unforgiving the NFL can be. A career that started with promise and excitement quickly unraveled, leaving both player and team wondering what could have been.

Stokes entered the league as a surprise first-round pick when the Packers selected him 29th overall out of Georgia. The pick came with high expectations, a lucrative rookie contract, and the added bonus of a fifth-year team option.

Early returns justified the selection. As a rookie, Stokes shined, thriving opposite Jaire Alexander and showcasing the speed, instincts, and coverage ability that had made him a first-round prospect. Green Bay appeared to have found its cornerback duo of the future.

But the honeymoon didn’t last. Poor play and a string of injuries derailed Stokes’ career, starting with a disappointing sophomore season.

Inconsistent coverage and a lack of ball production became glaring issues, and he never recaptured the form he showed as a rookie. By the time injuries piled up—including multiple setbacks to his lower body—Stokes went from a promising young star to a liability in the Packers’ secondary.

Last offseason, Green Bay declined Stokes’ fifth-year option, signaling that their confidence in him had all but evaporated. Now an unrestricted free agent, Stokes leaves Green Bay as a cautionary tale about the volatility of NFL careers, especially at a position as demanding as cornerback.

The decision to move on from Stokes marks a necessary reset for the Packers’ secondary. His struggles on the field have been a drag on the unit for years, and getting fresh blood in the cornerback room will provide an opportunity to rebuild with youth and upside.

Josh Myers

Josh Myers embodies much of what defines the Packers’ current roster: solid, dependable, and capable of holding his own in the NFL. He’s a serviceable center who has provided stability on the offensive line, and Green Bay could certainly do worse.

But if the Packers are serious about elevating themselves from playoff contenders to Super Bowl favorites, “solid” won’t be enough.

Myers enters free agency with an uncertain future. While he narrowly avoided a potentially costly postseason injury that could have derailed his free-agent prospects, it remains unclear whether the Packers will bring him back.

Myers’ ability to hold his own in the middle of the offensive line has been valuable, but Green Bay has options to upgrade at the position.

Last year, the Packers invested a first-round pick in offensive lineman Jordan Morgan. Morgan’s development opens the door for Green Bay to reshuffle its line, potentially sliding Elgton Jenkins or Sean Rhyan to center while slotting Morgan into a starting guard spot.

This move would allow the Packers to move on from Myers, freeing up salary cap space that could be better allocated toward acquiring impact players at other positions.

Myers’ tenure in Green Bay has been steady, but the team seems poised to look for greener pastures. With Super Bowl aspirations in mind, the Packers must focus on turning a roster full of “solid” players into one that features more game-changers. Letting Myers walk might be a necessary step toward that goal.

Jaire Alexander

It’s never easy to part ways with a player as talented as Jaire Alexander, but the time has come for the Packers to make that difficult decision. While his abilities as a cornerback remain undeniable, Alexander’s availability and off-field dynamics have reached a breaking point that might make Green Bay better off without him.

When healthy, Alexander is one of the league’s premier cornerbacks. His ability to lock down elite receivers and change games is a rare commodity. The Packers’ defense is unquestionably better when he’s on the field.

The problem is that Alexander hasn’t been on the field nearly enough. Over the past four seasons, he has played seven or fewer games in three of them, a staggering and unacceptable number for a player expected to anchor the defense.

No matter how talented he is, availability is a key factor for any franchise cornerstone—and Alexander’s track record leaves much to be desired.

Off-field concerns add another layer of complexity.

Alexander’s issues with the coaching staff, most notably under former defensive coordinator Joe Barry, created tension in the past. While new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley initially seemed to smooth things over, Alexander’s comments after the season have reignited questions about his relationship with the team. That kind of friction, especially from a high-profile player, can ripple through a locker room in negative ways.

Moving on from Alexander would come with its costs. The Packers would undoubtedly sacrifice some production in the secondary, but they might gain something just as valuable: improved locker room chemistry and a more cohesive team culture.

Alexander’s time in Green Bay has been full of highs and lows. While his talent is undeniable, his availability and off-field dynamics suggest it might be time for the Packers to turn the page.

Letting him go would be a tough but necessary step toward building a more stable and unified roster for the future.