Are Packers already done with linebacker position for 2026 season?
Based on the moves Green Bay has made at linebacker this offseason, they may not be looking for, or even have room for a draft pick at the position.
The 2026 draft class is strong at linebacker, and full of athletes the Green Bay Packers are likely to be drawn to. Based on the current construction of their linebacker depth chart though, the Packers might already be finished making moves at that position. At present, Green Bay has Edgerrin Cooper, Zaire Franklin, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper, Nick Niemann, Jamon Johnson and Kristian Welch in their linebacker room.
Quay Walker, who was previously the Packers’ ‘Mike’ linebacker and leader of the group, left in free agency, joining the Raiders on a three-year, $40. 5 million deal. That meant a move at linebacker to replace him was always likely unless Green Bay was comfortable letting McDuffie and Hopper, a former top-100 draft pick, fill the gap.
Clearly that was not the case, as Zaire Franklin was acquired in a trade with the Colts that sent defensive tackle Colby Wooden in the other direction. A veteran player turning 30 before the 2026 season starts, Franklin figures to take over the Mike role and start alongside Cooper. The Packers made conscious decisions to bring back Niemann and Welch, as both were free to walk away as free agents.
General manager Brian Gutekunst picked out linebacker as a position that needed more competition when speaking with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine, and his actions have backed that up. It is interesting though that they have purposely stocked the roster with so many linebackers, especially given the change in defensive coordinator. Jonathan Gannon’s famous line is that he does not have a scheme, but if he had to be pinned down, his defenses deploy more 3-4 principles than the 4-3 that Jeff Hafley ran for two years in Green Bay.