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Packers Rising Star Cut From Final 53-Man Roster After Refusing to Be a Backup to a Rookie! 

Green Bay, WI — August 30, 2025
The NFL is always unforgiving in late August, but this twist left the Lambeau locker room stunned. Colby Wooden — a third-year defensive lineman who earned rotational work (including a spot start) in 2024 and became a quiet favorite for his motor and versatility — has been released from the Packers’ final 53 after a week of internal friction.

Wooden’s rise once read like a grit-and-grind tale: a young interior/edge tweener who flashed early effort plays and positional flexibility, proving he could slide between interior gaps and 5-tech in sub-packages.

But things shifted when the staff informed him he would take a backup role behind rookie Nazir Stackhouse, who impressed with knock-back power and leverage through the preseason — and made the 2025 53-man roster as part of a deeper, heavier defensive line group.

“He said he would never be a backup to a rookie who had just walked into the building — on the strength of only a few eye-catching preseason snaps. When we pushed back, he skipped a practice in protest. In Green Bay, that kinda crap just doesn’t fly.” — Matt LaFleur

From that moment, the decision was nearly irreversible. The Packers parted ways with Wooden — a shock to many who had penciled him in as rotational depth in a newly streamlined defensive line room.

The move clears the runway for Nazir Stackhouse to jump straight into a larger early-down role, while sub-package usage keeps Green Bay’s “speed + pursuit” identity intact. In a pressure-tilted front that forces early QB decisions, a rookie who can control first contact, anchor, and finish tackles is the kind of bet worth tracking.

The open question: is this the end of Wooden’s Titletown chapter, or merely the start of another elsewhere? At 23–24 years old, with NFL snaps and flashes on tape, he’s unlikely to linger on the market — provided he’s willing to embrace a role that fits and compete his way back up.

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Packers Offensive Line Leader Elgton Jenkins Praises Two Rookies for Making the Unit More Complete: “They Are the Future of the Packers”
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Ahead of the new game week, Elgton Jenkins spoke about his leadership role on the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line—both a responsibility and a privilege. He said that, alongside the veterans in the room, the goal is to “pull” the younger players up to the standard every day and turn each practice into real progress. Jenkins reserved special praise for two rookie offensive linemen: Anthony Belton (OT, Round 2, No. 54) and John Williams (OL, Round 7, No. 250). Belton has the profile of a modern edge tackle, while Williams is a flexible piece who can play tackle/guard depending on the package—very much in line with the Packers’ philosophy of building dependable depth. In pass protection, Jenkins emphasized that Belton keeps his shoulders square, stays calm versus blitz looks, and shows enough anchor when defenders try to long-arm him on the edge; Williams communicates well through twists/stunts, executes clean pass-offs in the pocket, and helps keep Jordan Love a stable platform. In the run game, both rookies expand the toolbox—from inside/outside zone that demand quick reach and firm combos to gap/power concepts that require precise second-level fits. “They are the future of the Packers — these two young guys bring the energy, discipline, and standard an offensive line needs to dominate. My job is to keep them on track so we get better every week.” — Elgton Jenkins said. Jenkins acknowledged that a dense schedule and “multiple” defensive fronts are forcing the O-line to mature quickly in high-leverage moments: third-and-long, two-minute drills, and slide/half-slide protections against pressure from multiple sources. “Once the young guys start to ‘catch the rhythm,’ the whole unit pops at the same time,” he said. Expert view: From a technical standpoint, Belton fits vertical/45 sets on the edge, is improving his anchor versus bull rushes, and is increasingly confident holding the corner without constant chip help; Williams brings the frame, tight hand usage, and low pad level, plus reliable MIKE-point ID and clean climbs to the second level—traits that set him up for early swing duties (tackle/guard). Within the Packers’ developmental framework—where disciplined footwork and communication are priorities—this duo has a clear pathway to grow from late-day draft picks into meaningful contributors.