NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports that on the opening day of the Green Bay Packers’ organized team activities, the team officially inked contracts with two out of their three exclusive rights free agents. These signings, involving running back Emanuel Wilson and punter Daniel Whelan, deviate from the usual practice of waiting for the players to personally visit Green Bay before finalizing deals.
Exclusive rights free agents are players with fewer than three seasons in the NFL whose contracts have expired. Typically, they are undrafted free agents who made their way onto the team from practice squads or spring football leagues.
Under the ERFA process, the Packers tender offers to these players, who must sign if they wish to continue playing in the NFL, securing them on a one-year contract at a relatively low cost. However, in 2025, Wilson and Whelan will transition to restricted free agents, subject to tenders ranging from $2.99 million to $6.82 million this offseason.
Wilson, initially with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent, joined the Packers in May and impressed during preseason, rushing for 223 yards and two touchdowns in the summer. He is expected to be the third-choice running back behind Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon.
Whelan, undrafted out of UC Davis, spent the 2022 offseason with the New Orleans Saints before earning All-XFL honors in 2023. He secured a spot as the Packers’ punter last summer, boasting a 46.2-yard average on 57 punts, with 18 landing inside the 20-yard line.
Notably absent from the signings is tackle Caleb Jones, the third exclusive rights free agent for Green Bay in 2024. It’s possible he has yet to attend the Packers’ OTAs, so concerns about further offensive line depth loss should be alleviated. Jones, standing at 6’9” and 370 pounds, has been on the Packers’ roster for two seasons but has seen limited action, appearing in only one NFL game.
