Packers won't tender restricted free agent RB Emanuel Wilson
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As is the case with Zayne Anderson, the Green Bay Packers will not be placing a tender on restricted free agent Emanuel Wilson, which will allow the veteran running back to become an unrestricted free agent, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
A restricted free agent is any player with an expiring contract and three accrued seasons in the NFL. If not given a tender before the start of the new league year, a restricted free agent becomes an unrestricted free agent.
The move is, like Anderson, strictly financial and does not prevent Wilson from returning or indicate the Packers' interest in a return. The lowest tender -- the right of first refusal -- would cost $3.5 million on a one-year deal in 2026. If the Packers want Wilson to return, they believe they can re-sign him at a cost lower than the lowest tender.
Over the last two seasons, Wilson has rushed for 998 yards and seven touchdowns and caught 26 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown over 34 games as Josh Jacobs' top backup. His rushing success rate was 58.8 percent, an elite number. In his first start of 2025, Wilson rushed 28 times for a career-high 107 yards and two scores during a win over the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field.
The following players are restricted free agents for the Packers this offseason:
- RB Emanuel Wilson
- S Zayne Anderson
- OL Darian Kinnard
- DE Arron Mosby
- TE Josh Whyle
- DL Jonathan Ford
- RB Chris Brooks
- DE Brenton Cox Jr.
Given the cost of the tenders, it's possible the Packers will let all eight become unrestricted free agents.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers won't tender restricted free agent RB Emanuel Wilson
