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.