The start of the NFL’s 2026 free agency period is only a few days away. Unrestricted free agents are allowed to begin negotiations with teams next Monday, March 9th, while the league’s new year begins at 4:00 PM on March 11th.
However, teams have decisions to make on the other two main categories of free agents. Restricted and exclusive-rights free agents are eligible for special contract tenders from their previous teams until next Wednesday, mechanisms which protect the teams and allow them to maintain
some level of limited negotiating rights with players who fall into those categories.
The Packers have 12 players who fall into one of these two categories and about whom they must decide prior to the new league year start. Although general manager Brian Gutekunst and his staff have made a few decisions already, they will need to do so for the rest of this group in the coming days.
Here’s a look at the players who are either RFAs or ERFAs this offseason along with updates on their status with the team.
Restricted Free Agents
Eight players who finished 2025 with the Packers are set to be restricted free agents, a category that describes players who have expiring contracts and three accrued seasons of NFL experience.
The team may issue a one-year contract tender to any RFA, which would allow the team to match any contract offer sheet that the player would sign with another team. Depending on the value of the tender, the Packers could also receive draft pick compensation if the player signs elsewhere and Green Bay elects not to match the contract offer.
However, the restricted free agent tenders are as follows:
First-round draft pick compensation: $8,046,000
Second-round draft pick compensation: $5,767,000
Right of first refusal only: $3,520,000
Any RFA player who does not receive a tender before the start of the league year on Wednesday, March 11 will become an unrestricted free agent and can negotiate freely with any NFL team. The Packers are expected not to tender several of these players, as their market value would likely be lower than the smallest tender.
Decisions pending
- Brenton Cox, Jr., EDGE
- Jonathan Ford, DT
- Darian Kinnard, OL
- Arron Mosby, EDGE
- Josh Whyle, TE
Contract Extended
The Packers extended Brooks a week before the start of free agency, agreeing to a 2-year, $4.85 million deal to bring him back as a third-down back and special teams contributor.
Will not be tendered
Exclusive-Rights Free Agents
Players with two or fewer accrued seasons of experience but whose contracts are expiring are exclusive-rights free agents. Teams may issue a one-year contract tender to these players, which has the value of the league-minimum salary for the player’s experience level. If a team does tender one of their ERFAs, then that player may only negotiate a new contract with their previous team. In most cases, ERFAs sign their tenders and return for the following season.
Like RFAs, an ERFA player who does not receive a tender before the start of the league year will also become an unrestricted free agent and can negotiate with any team.
Decisions pending
- Kamal Hadden, CB
- Donovan Jennings, OL
- Bo Melton, WR/CB
- Lecitus Smith, OL
