Packers reportedly re-sign free agent linebacker Isaiah McDuffie

Paul Bretl | 3/3/2025

GREEN BAY, Wis. — With free agency on the horizon, the Packers are reportedly bringing back linebacker Isaiah McDuffie.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Packers are re-signing McDuffie to a two-year, $8 million deal. McDuffie can earn up to $9.5 million through incentives.

McDuffie was a key figure in the Packers’ defense last season. His 728 snaps were the second-most at linebacker behind only Quay Walker. And while by the end of the season, Edgerrin Cooper was starting to see more playing time than him, McDuffie was still cemented in the lineup as the Packers’ third linebacker when lined up in their 4-3 base defense.

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Where McDuffie is at his best is against the run and at the line of scrimmage. He can shed blocks, fill gaps, and has the speed to flow sideline-to-sideline on boundary runs. McDuffie has also been a very reliable tackler throughout his career.

Beyond the defensive contributions, he’s been a regular special teams contributor for the Packers as well. This past season, McDuffie played 146 special teams snaps and did so across five different phases. In 2023, when he saw fewer snaps on defense, McDuffie played 222 special teams snaps, which was the fifth most on the team.

“I think he’s one of the toughest guys on our team,” said Jeff Hafley last season. “Another guy who gives everything he has every play. He studies it. If you ever want to turn on one clip and look for a guy running to the ball, turn on any clip he’s in, and you’ll find him when the whistles blown trying to take the ball away.”

As we saw late last season, Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper will be the Packers’ nickel linebackers, while McDuffie could compete with Ty’Ron Hopper for that third linebacker role when Green Bay is lined up in their base defense.

Bringing McDuffie back gives the Packers’ defense experienced depth and someone they can rely on if injuries strike or if Hopper isn’t ready to take that next step. The return of McDuffie won’t get in the way of Hopper moving into a larger role, but he does provide the Packers with some insurance if needed. At a minimum, with McDuffie back in the fold, Green Bay retains a core special teams contributor.

“He’s a guy you can count on and I would echo what Jeff says,” said former Packers linebackers coach Anthony Campanile, “he is what’s right with football. It’s still about being tough, doing your job, and he’s going to come every day coming to practice 1,000 miles an hour.

“You can’t wear that guy out. He’s a very prideful person, he really is a prideful person. He’s a guy like away from football you like to hang around because he’s a guy you can trust and he’s going to do his job and do the right thing all the time. It’s important to him, it’s super important to him.”

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