Green Bay

Packers

If two missed field goals and a missed extra point in last season’s Wild Card round loss to the Bears didn’t spell McManus’ impending exit, then the selection of Florida kicker Trey Smack in the sixth round of this year’s draft almost certainly did. McManus, 34, converted 24-of-30 field goals during the regular season in 2025, but struggled on distances of 40-plus yards, going 6-for-12 from that range. The decision to release McManus will carry a dead cap hit just north of $4.3 million for the Packers in 2026 and a dead cap hit of $1.66 million in 2027. McManus will likely catch on with another team before training camp and get a chance to compete for a starting job for the upcoming season.

“They’re doing great,” Gutekunst said on an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “Tuck’s been in here every day, and he’s obviously a little bit ahead of schedule, just because his injury happened earlier than Micah’s did. But Micah’s such a - he’s a little bit of a freak. So I think some of that has taken over, and he’s doing really well, as well.” He continued, “So, certainly expect both of those guys back early in the season. And they’ll be a big part of what we’re doing moving forward.” Both players are attempting to return from torn ACLs, with Kraft’s injury occurring in November and Parsons’ occurring in December of last season. It certainly sounds like both players could avoid the Physically Unable to Perform list this summer, which would give each player a good chance to make good on their general manager’s words and return early in the 2026 regular season.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero was first to report the signing. Taylor, 36, has spent the last two seasons with the Jets and made four starts for them in 2025, throwing for 779-5-5 while completing 59.7 percent of his passes. The veteran signal-caller will serve as the new backup to Jordan Love after Malik Willis left for Miami earlier this offseason. Taylor hasn’t had many opportunities for success over the last four seasons while splitting time between the Giants and Jets, but with 15 years of NFL experience and 100 career games under his belt he should be a serviceable backup for the Packers if called upon for a spot start or two.

The last time we saw Claypool, he was trying out for the Bills. The former second-rounder did not make the team and was later revealed to have suffered a torn ligament in his toe. Claypool did not resurface with a team in 2025, but now has a chance to impress in the Packers minicamp in hopes of earning a training camp invite. At the peak of his powers, Claypool looked like a DK Metcalf clone. He totaled over 1600 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in his first two seasons with the Steelers, and was traded to the Bears during the 2022 season after falling out of favor in Pittsburgh. He will turn 28 this summer and could serve as decent depth for the Packers if he makes the team, especially as a replacement option for the oft-injured Christian Watson.

An October 2025 foot injury sidelined Van Ness for seven games and limited him to just six snaps in an eighth, yet the 24-year-old pass rusher notched a career-high 23 quarterback pressures last year. He has 11 sacks and 56 tackles through three NFL seasons. Van Ness will make up to $3.1 million this season and is slated to make $13.8 million in 2027. As is often the case when teams pick up a player’s fifth-year option, a long-term extension could also be on the way.

Kelly (6’5/256) logged 29 pressures on 201 rushes (14.4 pressure pressure rate) with 3.0 sacks and 7 sacks created, adding a very respectable 17.1 percent third-down pressure rate that highlights his situational pass-rush utility. Kelly’s long-arm usage and stride length allow him to stress tackles early in the rep, but his lack of bend and suddenness shows up when trying to corner or close at the top of the arc. Though his 90th percentile jumps are a positive data point, his athletic limitations are reflected in his 4.76s shuttle (13th percentile), 7.62s 3-cone (26th percentile) and 4.88s forty, which combine for an uninspiring 5.79 RAS. Against the run, he posted 60 tackles with 12.5 TFL, 8 run stops and 18 havoc plays, though his 84.5% tackle rate and inconsistent stack-and-shed technique reflect his need for added play strength. UCF’s pressure leader flashes the ability to disrupt both phases with his length and motor, but his rush plan and counter sequencing remain underdeveloped, leading to streaky production. Kelly has subpackage upside with a pathway to rotational value if his power, hand usage and finishing ability improve.

Jacobs spent two seasons at Maryland followed by three seasons at UAB. A torn ACL ended his 2023 season, and he unfortunately suffered a season-ending foot injury in 2024. He posted a 342/4 rushing line and a 15/82/1 receiving line in his final college season. Packers RB Josh Jacobs is Isaiah’s older brother.

Wade (6’3"/316) is a movement-based interior lineman with elite athletic traits, posting a 9.23 RAS highlighted by a 95th-percentile 5.02 forty and explosive short-area splits that show up on tape when climbing and pulling. He was one of the most efficient pass protectors in the country, surrendering a microscopic 0.2% pressure rate with zero sacks allowed across 413 pass-block reps. His initial quickness and lateral mobility allow him to win early in pass pro and consistently position himself between rushers and the pocket, while also making him a natural fit in zone-heavy run schemes. Wade’s profile is more finesse than force, as his average play strength and inconsistent anchor can lead to balance issues when defenders attack his frame with power. He flashes adequate technique but lacks the displacement ability to consistently uproot defenders in the run game, reflected in a middling 2.6 percent blown run block rate and inconsistent drive-block finishes. Wade’s experience across multiple spots and four straight seasons of 700+ snaps provides a strong developmental floor, but his projection is clearly interior-only at the next level. He projects as a zone-scheme guard whose athleticism and pass protection efficiency give him a path to early rotational value if he can improve his play strength.

Maryland (6’4/236) struggles as a blocker in the run game, profiling instead as a receiving tight end. He made steady box score progress through his first two seasons at SMU in 2022 and 2023. A promising 2024 campaign was cut short by an ACL tear suffered in Week 8. Over his four-year college career, he caught 113-of-166 targets for 1,493 yards and 19 touchdowns. Maryland should be viewed as a developmental prospect, albeit one with potential. His father, Russell Maryland, won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys as a defensive tackle after being drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in 1999.

Sturdivant, 23, flashed high-end athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine, while measuring 6’3/207. The 65/755/7 receiving line he posted as a redshirt freshman in 2022 ended up being a career-best. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler notes Sturdivant led all FBS freshmen in receiving that year. He spent two seasons at Cal before transferring to UCLA for two more, and ended up at Florida for a one-off campaign. He will need to contribute via special teams to have any short at the 53-man roster in 2026.