The Green Bay Packers picked up the fifth-year option of defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt a year ago. That means the former Georgia star will be playing on a one-year contract worth $12.9 million in 2026. As of now, he will become a free agent next offseason unless the Packers sign him to a new deal. But will the Packers give a long-term contract to Wyatt or will 2026 be his final season in Green Bay?

Wyatt’s career got off to a bit of a slow start. In his first three seasons with the Packers, he started a total of five games with all of them coming in 2023. That was the season he recorded a career-high 5.5 sacks. While Wyatt wasn’t a starter, he did make an impact when he was on the field. He was one of the few defensive tackles who could get pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

In 2025, Wyatt finally became a full-time starter. He started all 10 games he played before suffering a gruesome season-ending injury. The Packers noticed his absence and the pass rush started to fall off when Wyatt was out of the lineup.

Star edge rusher Micah Parsons recognized the impact that Wyatt’s absence had on the defense. After Wyatt’s injury, Parsons described his teammate as “a player you can’t replace. It’s going to be challenging, but we’re going to have to really dial into our details, our fundamentals, to try to replace someone who is irreplaceable.”

He also said, “He makes my life easier. He understands how to rush, how to play, his play style. I just think he brings guys along.”

The Packers have already handed out multiple extensions this offseason. The team gave a new contract to wide receivers Christian Watson and Jayden Reed and to center Sean Rhyan. Multiple reports indicate that tight end Tucker Kraft will be the next player to receive a long-term extension. But then, will Wyatt be next?

There are reasons to extend Wyatt. He adds more pass rush than most defensive tackles and according to his teammates, makes the players around him better.

But there are reasons to choose not to sign Wyatt to a new deal. Gutekunst has a pattern when it comes to handing out third contracts. They are handed out to only a small number of players who are part of the core of the team and usually to players who also have established themselves as elite and have been to multiple Pro Bowls. Recent examples include Kenny Clark, David Bakhtiari, and Aaron Rodgers.

Wyatt was an older prospect when he was drafted in 2022. He will turn 29 in March so he will be over 30 during nearly all of any extension he signs with the Packers. Barring a very strong 2026 season, Wyatt would not fit the typical Packers criteria for another extension.

The Packers also have multiple players on the roster who can replace Wyatt and put pressure on the quarterback from the interior of the defensive line. The team signed veteran free agent Javon Hargrave to a two-year deal. They also traded up to select Chris McClellan in the third round of this year’s draft. If Hargrave proves he still has something left in the tank and McClellan shows he’s ready for a bigger role in 2027 than they would be cheaper alternatives to Wyatt.

The Packers could also add another defensive tackle in the 2027 draft. The Packers don’t have a first-round pick because of the Parsons trade, but they do have multiple picks on day two and three due to other trades and compensatory picks from the loss of free agents like Malik Willis and Romeo Doubs.

Ultimately, a lot will depend on how Wyatt plays in 2026. Gutekunst will likely take a wait and see attitude with Wyatt this season. If Wyatt returns to action and plays very well, he will increase his chances of another deal. But ultimately, he will have to play very well to get the Packers to go against their typical approach to signing players to third contracts.