The Green Bay Packers didn’t make a splash this offseason. They didn’t go out and sign a big-name free agent or trade for a star. Instead, they quietly kept doing what they’ve been doing all along: retaining their own guys.
Linebacker Isaiah McDuffie is the latest example. The team agreed to a one-year contract extension with him on Thursday, per 247 Sports. It’s not a flashy move, but it keeps a guy who knows the system and has been a steady presence in the locker room.
McDuffie has played five seasons in Green Bay. He’s appeared in 80 games and started 38 of them. He’s not a star, not by any stretch. But he’s reliable. He’s racked up 320 tackles in those five seasons and contributed on special teams, which is where a lot of depth guys earn their keep. The Packers clearly see value in that.
How McDuffie fits into a crowded linebacker room
The Packers have a deep group at linebacker right now. Edgerrin Cooper is the young talent they’re building around. They also brought in Zaire Franklin, a veteran addition who adds physicality and experience. McDuffie slides into that mix as a rotational piece and a trusted backup who can step in when needed.
That linebacker core is one of the better ones in the NFC. It’s a big reason why people around the league view Green Bay’s front seven as one of the strongest in the conference. If the Packers are serious about making a Super Bowl run, that group is going to have to carry a lot of the weight.
What about Micah Parsons?
The real star of this defense, whenever he gets back, is Micah Parsons. He tore his ACL in 2025 and missed the rest of that season. There’s no clear timeline on his return yet. If he’s healthy by Week 1, great. If not, it might be later in the year. Either way, once he’s on the field, he changes everything for that unit.
Parsons draws so much attention from offensive lines that it frees up everyone else. McDuffie and the other linebackers will benefit from that. It makes their jobs easier when opposing offenses have to account for a guy who can blow up a play from any angle.
New defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is running the show now. He’s calling the plays and putting his stamp on the scheme. With Morris at the helm and a healthy Parsons eventually returning, this Packers defense could be a problem for the rest of the league. But they need guys like McDuffie to hold it together in the meantime.
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