When the Green Bay Packers selected Karl Brooks in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, expectations were understandably modest. Sixth-round picks are often viewed as developmental prospects or depth pieces who must fight for every snap they earn. Still, over the last three seasons, Brooks has steadily become one of Green Bay’s most important defensive linemen, proving that draft status means little once the games begin.
Now entering a pivotal 2026 season, Brooks faces perhaps the biggest opportunity of his young career. With several defensive line decisions looming for general manager Brian Gutekunst, Brooks has a chance to prove he deserves to be part of Green Bay’s long-term plans. The question isn’t whether he belongs on the roster anymore. Instead, it’s whether he can elevate his play enough to earn a contract extension before reaching free agency.
The opportunity is certainly there.
Brooks has consistently outperformed what most teams expect from a Day 3 draft selection. His versatility has become one of his greatest strengths. Whether lining up as a traditional defensive tackle in passing situations or kicking outside along the front to defensive end, Brooks has demonstrated an ability to pressure quarterbacks while also holding his own against the run.
His athleticism has always stood out. Despite not possessing elite size for an interior defensive lineman at only 6’3”, 296 lbs., Brooks wins with quickness, leverage, and an impressive first step. Offensive linemen often struggle to match his initial burst, allowing him to penetrate the backfield before blocking schemes fully develop.
That disruptive style fits exactly what Green Bay wants from its defensive front.
Interior pressure has become one of the NFL’s most valuable defensive assets. Edge rushers may receive most of the headlines, but quarterbacks consistently say pressure directly in their face is the most difficult to escape. Brooks has shown flashes of becoming that type of player.
The next step is proving he can do it consistently over an entire season.
Green Bay’s defensive line has undergone significant turnover over the past year. They traded Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts, added Chris McClellan through the draft, and the coaching staff continues to search for the ideal rotation. However, that uncertainty benefits Brooks.
Instead of fighting for a roster spot, Brooks enters camp competing for major playing time besides likely starter Javon Hargrave. More snaps naturally create more opportunities for sacks, quarterback hits, tackles for loss, and game-changing plays.
If Brooks becomes one of the defense’s most dependable interior defenders, the Packers may extend him before his contract expires rather than allowing him to test free agency.
General manager Brian Gutekunst has shown a willingness to reward homegrown talent that develops within the organization. Look no further than the Christian Watson and Jayden Reed extensions this offseason. Green Bay would much rather retain productive draft picks than spend significantly more replacing them on the open market. Brooks could become the latest example.
However, Brooks’ issue is consistency. He’s always shown flashes. In 2023, he became the first Packers rookie to record four or more sacks and multiple fumble recoveries in a single season since Clay Matthews did it in 2009. He also added six tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
But his production has declined since then. Brooks went from four sacks to 3.5 to just a half sack last season. If he’s going to play himself into a career beyond just 2026 in Green Bay, he will need to be much more like the rookie season version.
Elite defensive linemen don’t disappear for long stretches. They influence games week after week, even when the stat sheet doesn’t reflect it. Consistent pressure forces offenses to alter protections, speeds up quarterback decisions, and creates opportunities for teammates. If Brooks reaches that level, his value skyrockets. However, he has shown that is a big if.
The Packers don’t necessarily need him to become an All-Pro. They need him to become someone opposing offenses must account for every Sunday.
Green Bay’s new defensive philosophy is another factor working in Brooks’ favor. Modern NFL defenses rely heavily on rotating defensive linemen to keep players fresh throughout four quarters.
Few interior defenders play 80% of the snaps anymore. Instead, teams want waves of pass rushers capable of maintaining pressure regardless of who is on the field. Brooks’s snaps have increased steadily every year. He had 34% as a rookie, 41% as a sophomore, and 55% this past season. Maybe he will benefit from a scheme that relies more on rotation to help keep him fresh.
His motor allows him to maximize shorter stretches of playing time. Fresh legs often translate into explosive pass-rushing opportunities late in games when offensive linemen begin wearing down.
If Green Bay continues using a deep defensive line rotation, Brooks’ efficiency could become even more valuable than raw snap totals. With the addition of bigger bodies in Hargrave and McCellian to eat up snaps, they could free Brooks to go quarterback hunting with his fresher legs.
Brooks is also a foundation of Green Bay’s special teams. His snaps on special teams increased over 10% from 2024 to 2025. He plays on the field-goal and extra-point units. He famously single-handedly won the Packers a game against the Chicago Bears in 2024 by blocking the Bears’ game-winning 44-yard field goal attempt.
Continuing to show he can help Green Bay’s third unit will only strengthen his case for a new deal.
Still, as we know, contract extensions are about more than statistics. The Packers must determine whether Brooks projects as a foundational player over the next several seasons. They’ll evaluate his production, durability, leadership, versatility, and overall fit within the locker room.
Fortunately for Brooks, he appears to check several of those boxes already. He has earned praise for his work ethic since arriving in Green Bay. Coaches trust him to execute multiple responsibilities along the defensive front, giving the defense valuable flexibility. Players capable of filling multiple roles often become priorities because they allow coordinators to disguise pressures and create favorable matchups.
Financially, extending Brooks early could also benefit Green Bay. If he breaks out with a career season in 2026, his market value could rise substantially once free agency approaches. Signing him before that happens could ultimately save the organization millions compared to bidding against other NFL teams. We’ve seen Green Bay make similar decisions before with ascending young players.
However, Brooks must do several things this season to earn an extension.
First, he needs to establish himself as a full-time contributor rather than only a rotational player, something he has yet to do as a professional. Brooks has also gotten worse the more he has played. If that trend continues in 2026, he likely won’t be a candidate for a new deal.
Second, his pass-rush production must continue trending upward. Interior defenders who consistently generate pressure receive significant attention around the league.
Third, he must become more impactful against the run. Defensive tackles who excel on all three downs are considerably more valuable than specialists. In 2025, Brooks’ run defense grade was just 40.6. He needs to be significantly better to warrant any extension.
Finally, availability matters. The best ability remains durability. If Brooks stays healthy while producing throughout a 17-game schedule, he’ll strengthen his case considerably.
Every NFL season creates unexpected breakout stars, and Brooks has positioned himself to become one of Green Bay’s biggest success stories.
He has already exceeded the expectations that come with being a sixth-round draft pick. Now the challenge shifts from proving he belongs to proving he deserves a long-term investment.
The talent is evident, the versatility is undeniable, and the opportunity has arrived.
If Brooks takes another significant step forward in 2026, consistently disrupts opposing offenses, and becomes one of Green Bay’s most reliable defensive linemen, there’s every reason to believe Brian Gutekunst will begin extension talks before his rookie contract expires.
The Packers are always looking to reward players they draft and develop. Brooks has spent the past three seasons proving he can be a valuable contributor. For him to prove he should have more seasons, he’ll need to continue to take a step forward.
The opportunity will be there. 2026 will not only give him that opportunity, but also to prove he is a cornerstone worth keeping in Green Bay for years to come.
