Packers Announce 2025 53-Man Roster: 11 DBs, 11 DLs — Only 4 ILBs and Late Surprises
Green Bay, WI — Aug. 27, 2025 (ICT). After the 4:00 p.m. ET deadline on Aug. 26, the Green Bay Packers finalized their initial 53-man roster for the 2025 season. The big-picture breakdown: 24 on offense, 26 on defense, and 3 specialists, underscoring a philosophy that prioritizes defensive depth—especially 11 defensive backs and 11 defensive linemen—while rolling with only 4 inside linebackers, a decision that sparked instant debate after cutdown day.
Green Bay also noted it can begin constructing the practice squad once the waiver process concludes at 11:00 a.m. CT on Wednesday (local time Aug. 27). Injury designations include: MarShawn Lloyd (RB) and Jacob Monk (OL) to IR/designated to return (out a minimum of 4 games), Omar Brown (S) to IR (no return), and Christian Watson (WR), Collin Oliver (DE), John Williams (OL) to PUP.
Key takeaways
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11 DBs, 11 DLs — only 4 ILBs: Carrying large DB/DL rooms gives the Packers flexibility for defensive packages and special teams, but leaves thinner depth at ILB (Walker, Cooper, McDuffie, Hopper). It’s a contrarian build that the team emphasized in its announcement.
Bo Melton position switch…and makes the 53: Moving from WR to CB this offseason, Bo Melton drew praise for his approach and performance, turning into one of camp’s standout stories.
UDFA streak hits 21 years: Nazir Stackhouse (DT) extends the club’s run of at least one UDFA making the initial 53-man roster every season.
Notable veteran cuts: Mecole Hardman (WR) — a three-time Super Bowl champion — and Isaiah Simmons (LB) were among those released; Corey Ballentine and Kristian Welch also departed in the final wave.
Late-camp move shapes OL: A trade for Darian Kinnard shortly before the deadline influenced the final trench math and depth decisions.
Initial 53-man roster (by position)
QB (2): Jordan Love, Malik Willis. Released: Sean Clifford, Taylor Elgersma.
RB (3): Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks. IR–Designated to Return: MarShawn Lloyd. Released: Israel Abanikanda, Amar Johnson, Tyrion Davis-Price.
WR (6): Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Matthew Golden, Malik Heath, Savion Williams. PUP: Christian Watson. Released: Mecole Hardman, Julian Hicks, Cornelius Johnson, Will Sheppard, Isaiah Neyor.
TE (4): Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, John FitzPatrick, Ben Sims. Released: Messiah Swinson, Johnny Lumpkin.
OL (9): Elgton Jenkins, Aaron Banks, Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, Sean Rhyan, Jordan Morgan, Anthony Belton, Darian Kinnard, Donovan Jennings. IR–Designated to Return: Jacob Monk. PUP: John Williams. Released: Kadeem Telfort, Trey Hill, Lecitus Smith, Tyler Cooper, JJ Lippe, Brant Banks.
DE (5): Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Brenton Cox Jr., Barryn Sorrell. PUP: Collin Oliver. Released: Arron Mosby, Deslin Alexandre.
DT (6): Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, Warren Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse. Released: James Ester, Devonte O’Malley.
LB (4): Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper. Released: Kristian Welch, Isaiah Simmons, Jamon Johnson, Jared Bartlett.
CB (6): Nate Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Bo Melton, Kamal Hadden, Micah Robinson. Released: Kalen King, Corey Ballentine, Tyron Herring.
S (5): Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Zayne Anderson, Kitan Oladapo. IR (no return): Omar Brown. Released: Johnathan Baldwin, Jaylin Simpson.
Specialists (3): Brandon McManus (K), Daniel Whelan (P), Matt Orzech (LS). Released: Mark McNamee. Note: The Packers extended LS Matt Orzech as part of the announcement.
Who was cut—and why?
The Packers released/waived 32 players to reach the 53. Among the most notable were Mecole Hardman and Isaiah Simmons, two offseason bets who couldn’t climb the final depth chart; Ballentine and Welch were familiar faces who also missed the cut. Several names are projected practice squad candidates if they clear waivers.
What’s next?
The waiver-claim window closes at 11:00 a.m. CT Wednesday, after which Green Bay can begin finalizing a practice squad (up to 17, with potential IPP exceptions). The 53 is not “locked”, and could change if the Packers are awarded claims or need to shift someone to IR post-cutdown.
Bottom line: Green Bay is betting on a defense-heavy build (11 DBs + 11 DLs), accepting a leaner ILB group while wagering on unique pieces like Bo Melton (CB) and Nazir Stackhouse (UDFA)—two development arcs to watch as the 2025 season kicks off.
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