In an offseason where the Green Bay Packers have dished out some hefty extensions and drafted defense early, the future of the interior defensive line is now crystal clear.
Javon Hargrave was a splash signing in free agency for Jonathan Gannon’s defense. Hargrave had arguably his best statistical season when he played for Gannon in Philadelphia. However, let’s not confuse what this signing is. Hargrave will be expected to contribute significantly over the next two years. Hargrave is a veteran entering his age-33 season. The Packers signed him to help in the short term.
Devonte Wyatt‘s three-year extension will keep Wyatt in Green Bay for the long haul. The $57 million deal, with $20 million guaranteed, represents a significant investment. Had Wyatt stayed healthy last year and played the way he was before the injuries, he would’ve commanded even more. At age 28, Wyatt is in the prime of his career and now locked in with the Packers through the 2029 season. That’s a piece on the interior that will be a huge part of the future.
In the draft this April, Green Bay selected Missouri’s Chris McClellan in the third round. McClellan can play multiple positions up front, which drew plenty of interest from the Packers.
“I think, for me, the combination of being able to play the nose, the three, and actually rush the passer,” Brian Gutekunst said. “There’s a lot of these guys that don’t do that. He can. And that set him apart a little bit for us.”
McClellan’s third-round selection made it clear that he is intended to be a big part of the future on the defensive line. A third-round pick isn’t a throwaway selection, especially given that Green Bay didn’t have a first-round pick this year. McClellan was the second player taken by the Packers in the 2026 draft. It puts even more emphasis on what the team thinks of him.
“First of all, 6’4”, 315 lbs,” Gutekunst said. “Can stop the run. He holds his ground very, very well. Very good pass rusher, can play up and down the line. Very versatile, which we like very much. Played in the SEC. Young player, proven already at a very high level at college. He’s going to be a good fit here.”
McClellan is an ideal fit for what Green Bay is trying to do in Gannon’s defense, especially on a team that values versatility as much as any other in the NFL.
Those are the two big pieces that Green Bay needs to hit on: Wyatt and McClellan.
There are others like Karl Brooks, Nazir Stackhouse, Warren Brinson, and a couple more. However, Brooks is on a rookie deal that expires after this season. Will Green Bay keep him around after 2026? Brinson was a sixth-round pick last year and will be battling for a chance to earn reps this year. The same can be said for Stackhouse, an undrafted free-agent addition last year.
Hargrave is a nice addition and isn’t just a filler piece. He could be starting in 2026 unless McClellan has a huge training camp. There’s a world where both start, but that’s a different topic for a different day.
Hargrave isn’t a play for the future, though. Brooks, Brinson, and Stackhouse could theoretically be around in the longer term, but the pillars of the interior — if things go according to plan — are Wyatt and McClellan. Green Bay is banking on those two players.
