The Green Bay Packers‘ list of pending free agents is continuing to grow.
Players such as offensive tackle Rasheed Walker, wide receiver Romeo Doubs, linebacker Quay Walker, and quarterback Malik Willis are all expected to leave Green Bay during free agency.
The roster could get even thinner if center Elgton Jenkins and defensive end Rashan Gary get cut, both of which are strong possibilities. On Friday the Packers decided they will let another key contributor test the open market.
Green Bay Packers Will Not Place Tender on RB Emanuel Wilson
According to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Green Bay is choosing not to place a tender on Wilson, who was a restricted free agent. He now becomes unrestricted, and is free to sign anywhere. Had the Packers placed a tender on him, they could have matched any offer from another team, or received draft-pick compensation if Wilson left.
The Packers are not placing a tender on running back Emanuel Wilson, per source.
He will be a free agent. Rushed for 496 yards and three touchdowns last year,l.
Wilson entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2023, but was waived just three days later. He caught on with the Packers a week later, and went on to make their 53-man roster. Unfortunately, his rookie season was cut short after just seven games due to a shoulder injury.
Wilson proved to be a solid backup running back for Green Bay, rushing for 502 yards and four touchdowns in 2024, and 496 yards with three touchdowns in 2025. In a Week 12 start against the Minnesota Vikings, Wilson rushed for a career high 107 yards, scoring two of his three touchdowns.
Release of Emanuel Wilson Backs up General Manager Brian Gutekunst’s Recent Comments
While speaking to the media during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, Gutekunst reinforced that the Packers are still very committed to starting running back Josh Jacobs.
“Absolutely,” Gutekunst said, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. “He’s a very important cog in what we’re trying to do here.”
Some speculated that Green Bay could move on from Jacobs given his knee issues last season, as well as potentially saving $11.4 million in salary cap space. Jacobs powered through his banged-up knee, playing in 15 games and rushing for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also recorded 36 receptions for 282 yards and one touchdown.
Jacobs had a huge first season with the Packers, racking up 1,671 total yards from scrimmage, along with 16 total touchdowns. He has two years remaining on his four-year, $48 million contract that he signed with the team during the 2024 offseason. If he has another strong year in 2026, Green Bay could sign him to an extension.
Alternatively, it could let Jacobs play out his contract and become a free agent at the end of the 2027 season. He will be 30 years old by then, which is a dreaded age for skill position players. Regardless of how it plays out, the Packers clearly believe he can keep carrying to load for now after not placing a tender on Wilson.
Other running backs currently on Green Bay’s roster include Chris Brooks (who is a restricted free agent), MarShawn Lloyd, Damien Martinez, and Pierre Strong Jr. Lloyd was a third-round pick in 2024, but has been plagued by injuries. The Packers could target another running back with one of their picks in this year’s draft.
