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The Green Bay Packers' defensive front is one of the team's biggest strengths, featuring stars like Micah Parsons, free agent pickup Javon Hargrave, and veteran tackle Devonte Wyatt. Despite the unit's undeniable production, Green Bay's front has sustained numerous injuries in recent years, yet the team has continued to show confidence in its defense.
The front office continued that notion on Monday, reaching a deal with Wyatt on a contract extension that will keep him in green and gold for the foreseeable future. The Packers inked the former first-round pick to a three-year extension worth $57 million.
Fresh off signing his new deal, Wyatt will come into the 2026 NFL season with vastly elevated expectations after cementing his spot as one of the highest-paid players at his position in the entire league. He suffered a fractured fibula and torn ligaments in his ankle during the Packers' Week 13 win over the Detroit Lions, sidelining him for the final seven games of the season.
Wyatt has dealt with nagging issues over the past two seasons, suiting up in 24 of 34 total games during that stretch. His new deal will thrust Wyatt into a greater spotlight in 2026, especially with Parsons set to miss the first chunk of the season on the PUP list.
Jonathan Gannon will lean on his star tackle as the Packers look to shore up a run-defense unit that faced its share of struggles in 2025.
Devonte Wyatt Must Bounce Back From Injury To Shore Up Packers' Struggles Against The Run
Despite boasting no shortage of star power on the defensive line, the Packers struggled to stop the run a season ago. Green Bay ranked among the bottom half of the NFL in run defense (No. 18 in rushing yards), and will look to overwrite that trend with improved production in 2026.
Wyatt will be tasked with spearheading such a notion, especially given the timing of his new extension. Green Bay got to work this offseason, pairing their star tackle with another savvy veteran in Hargrave, who will provide valuable volume alongside Wyatt in his first season with the team.
The Packers are counting on Wyatt to bounce back after a shortened 2025 campaign, looking to re-establish themselves as one of the top overall defenses in the entire league this season.
Prior to his injury, Wyatt was on pace for a career year a season ago, racking up 27 total tackles, six for loss, and 4.0 sacks in a shortened season. He'll look to get out to another fast start in 2026 and prove he's worth the extension he earned.
