The Green Bay Packers are bringing back another one of their restricted free agents, Josh Whyle, according to Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber. Whyle will return on a one-year deal.
Whyle was the victim of a trend that happened across the league last year, as teams’ backup tight ends pivoted more toward the run-blocking mold, in anticipation of the increased emphasis on the dynamic kickoff, than the pass-catcher mold. Whyle — who had been brought in on a pre-draft visit by the Packers, so they’ve had their
eyes on him for a while — ultimately failed to make the cut with the Tennessee Titans last summer.
Green Bay is afforded the ability to use backup tight end spots on pass-catchers in part because of the impact that running back Chris Brooks makes on special teams, particularly on the kickoff return unit. Among receivers and tight ends, the Packers ranked dead last in the NFL in special teams snaps played in 2025.
Initially, Whyle was brought into Green Bay as a practice squadder, but after a flurry of changes at the position in-season (Ben Sims was waived claimed by the Minnesota Vikings, Tucker Kraft tore his ACL and John FitzPatrick tore his Achilles tendon), Whyle was pushed up to the 53-man roster.
If you paid enough attention, Whyle actually replaced Luke Musgrave on obvious passing downs down the stretch last season. It will be interesting to see how this room shakes out, as now Kraft, Musgrave and Whyle are all set to play their final season in Green Bay in 2026, barring contract extensions.
In the eight games he was available for last year, after being promoted to the 53-man roster, Whyle played 38 percent of the team’s offensive snaps as a move tight end or out of the backfield.
It seems unlikely that Whyle was retained on the $3.5 million first right of refusal tender, so assume that his price is significantly lower than that.
