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Packers Rookie Gives Up 53-Man Roster Opportunity to Care for Ill Parents

Green Bay, WI – Just days before final cuts, Green Bay Packers rookie running back Amar Johnson has decided to step away from the 53-man roster battle to return home and care for his seriously ill parents.

Johnson, 22, joined Green Bay as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL Draft. In the preseason, he made his mark with 67 yards on 7 carries and a 39-yard touchdown run against the New York Jets—capped by his first Lambeau Leap—showing depth potential behind Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, MarShawn Lloyd, and Chris Brooks.

Head coach Matt LaFleur praised him after the game: “Amar has speed and toughness. He’s the type of player we want to build with.” 

Within hours, Johnson issued a statement mirroring the heartfelt message fans have seen in other “family-first” moments around the league:

“Thank you Green Bay Packers for the incredible opportunity to chase my NFL dream. But right now, my parents—who sacrificed everything for me—are fighting illness. My father has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and my mother is recovering from breast cancer surgery. I need to be with them. The NFL is a dream, but family is my foundation. Thank you, Cheesehead Nation, and I hope to be back soon. #GoPackGo

General manager Brian Gutekunst offered support : “Amar is a young talent with a big heart. We respect his decision to put family first, and the door is always open for his return.”

Johnson’s choice doesn’t significantly disrupt the Packers’ RB depth—anchored by Jacobs and Wilson while awaiting Lloyd’s full return—but it underscores that football is more than touchdowns and tackles; it’s about human values.

On social media, fans began rallying around the hashtag #AmarStrong. If his family situation stabilizes, Johnson could pursue another NFL shot in 2026—perhaps even rejoining Green Bay’s practice squad—with his preseason tape giving him a real chance.

Chiefs Linked To Saints Super Star With 5x Pro Bowl & 2x All-Pro in Blockbuster Trade, Per Source
Kansas City, MO — According to a circulating on X (Twitter), the Kansas City Chiefs have been “linked” to Alvin Kamara—the New Orleans Saints superstar, five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro—as a potential target ahead of the trade deadline. The speculation has heated up as various outlets have also floated Kamara as a logical “fit” should the Chiefs look to add a versatile, late-season playmaker on offense. At 30, Kamara is a rare dual-threat RB who excels as both a runner and receiver. He tied the NFL single-game record with six rushing touchdowns (Christmas Day 2020 vs. the Vikings), and he has recently been recognized as the Saints’ all-time leader in rushing yards. Across his career: 5× Pro Bowl, 2× Second-Team All-Pro, and a skill set tailor-made for Andy Reid’s motion/spacing concepts—screens, angle/choice routes, safe check-downs, and short play-action. Tactically, if a move ever materialized, Kamara would immediately put stress on short-to-intermediate coverages, force defenses to roll a safety, and give Kansas City intriguing two-back looks alongside Isiah Pacheco on 3rd-and-medium and in the red zone. In this hypothetical scenario, Kamara voices a desire for a fresh challenge after hitting so many personal milestones in New Orleans: “I’ve achieved just about everything with the Saints, and I want a new challenge for myself. What could be better than a team competing directly for a Super Bowl? Just thinking about wearing Red and Gold really excites me.” Source: @nflrums X As of now, there has been no official confirmation from the Chiefs or the Saints regarding any talks. Still, Kamara’s résumé and toolbox explain why his name is quickly paired with Kansas City whenever rumors of an offensive upgrade surface. With 5× Pro Bowls, 2× All-Pro honors, and a proven knack for tilting games as both a runner and receiver, even a whisper on social media is enough to make Chiefs Kingdom perk up.