Nine Packers players will take the field in 2025 with a contract extension already on their minds, and a few could cash in early

The Green Bay Packers have a clear modus operandi to negotiate and structure salaries. Outside of a few quarterback exceptions, the team likes to offer three- to four-year extensions, and nothing is guaranteed beyond the signing bonus.

But beyond that, the Packers rarely extend players who have two or more years under contract. That means the 2025 season is extremely impactful for some players who are entering the second to last year of their deals.

Good performances this season may drive Green Bay to act early and finish up some extensions next offseason, before it gets even more expensive.

Players entering their second to last year who are realistic extension candidates next year:

Jayden Reed

A second-round pick in 2023, Reed has been the most productive Packers wide receiver since. Therefore, he is the most likely to receive an extension among all the receivers in the room. The Packers took Matthew Golden and Savion Williams in the draft, but that could very well be a preparation to replace Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, who are entering the final year of their rookie deals now. Reed is under contract through 2026, and it’s realistic to expect an extension next offseason—especially if he reduces the drops.

Dontayvion Wicks

Talking about drops, Wicks was the worst wide receiver in football last year in that regard. However, he has a high ceiling and is one of the best separators in the league as well. There was a regression in 2024, yes, but Wicks had a promising rookie season and drops tend to be volatile. If he can cut that this year and be more productive, an extension wouldn’t be completely off the table. Wicks' decision to switch agents is an indication of his plans.

Tucker Kraft

If Kraft plays somewhere close to the level he did in 2024 or better, the Packers will certainly want to extend his deal as soon as possible. He is the tight end with the most yards through his first two seasons in franchise history, and his ability to create yards after the catch helps the offense to create explosives out of nowhere. To make things better, the tight end market is not insane compared to receivers, for example, and the chances of generating surplus are higher.

Luke Musgrave

This is a difficult one, because Musgrave spent parts of his first two seasons on injured reserve and lost the starting job to Kraft last year. But if he rebounds this season, the Packers can see the value in a player who has rare speed for his size.

Elgton Jenkins

Jenkins wants a contract adjustment now, but the Packers have the standard to avoid extensions with two years left to play. So there could be a middle ground this year, with a revised deal to make him happier but without compromising the future. And if he plays center at a high level in 2025, Green Bay could consider a new extension next offseason. However, it’s a delicate situation, since the Packers don’t tend to give third contracts for non-quarterbacks. And the last few, David Bakhtiari and Kenny Clark, didn’t have (or hasn’t in Clark’s case) the expected return.

Devonte Wyatt

The Packers exercised Wyatt’s fifth-year option, so now he’s under contract through 2026 as well. In his first three NFL seasons, the defensive tackle has been a premier interior rusher, but his issues stopping the run have limited his role. He needs to evolve to be paid again.

Lukas Van Ness

This is a unique situation this year, because the Packers can exercise Van Ness’ fifth-year option next offseason if he plays well. A real extension probably wouldn’t come before 2027.

Keisean Nixon

Nixon signed a three-year deal with Green Bay last season. For a returner and part-time cornerback, it was player-friendly money. But Nixon transitioned to a boundary corner, making it a great value for the team. If he plays well as a de facto CB1 in 2025, it will be time to make a long-term decision.

Carrington Valentine

Valentine came into the league as a seventh-round pick in 2023, so he will be eligible for an extension after the 2025 regular season. Even if he’s underutilized at times, the young cornerback has been good when he’s on the field, and Brian Gutekunst has said he trusts him to start. A good season now puts him in position to get a second deal in Green Bay if the price is right.