Paul Bretl | 8/20/2025
GREEN BAY, Wis. — It’s deja vu for the Packers and linebacker Kristian Welch. As was the case during 2024 training camp, Welch has again put himself in a position to be in the conversation when it comes to making the initial 53-man roster.
A year ago, Welch was released during roster cutdowns in what Matt LaFleur called a “tough” decision, noting the plays he made throughout the preseason and the improvement Welch had throughout the summer.
Will there be a different outcome for Welch this time around?
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Special teams have been Welch’s calling card throughout his NFL career. Undrafted in 2020 coming out of Iowa, Welch stuck with the Ravens as a rookie because of his ability to help out on special teams. That first season, he played 200 special teams snaps across four of the six different phases.
Giving Welch an upper hand, even as a rookie, was his special teams experience at Iowa–a role he had filled with the team since his freshman year.
“I played special teams in college and the coaching in college helped my transition into the NFL,” Welch said at his locker on Tuesday. “The little nuances and stuff with special teams at the NFL are a little bit different. But I kind of adopted that into my game and kind of just went with it and that has been my role my entire career.”
In his six NFL seasons, Welch has played 1,496 special teams snaps, including 237 with the Packers in 2023. At Iowa, Welch played nearly 500 special teams snaps over his four seasons.
Particularly during this time of the year, that experience very much matters, and is one of the reasons why Welch regularly flashes during the preseason. Over the Packers’ two preseason games this summer, Welch has four solo tackles on only 14 kick or punt coverage snaps.
“It’s a huge advantage,” Welch said of his experience on teams. “I see it a lot, teammates or other opponents, like this dude has never had a punt rep that mattered or he hasn’t rushed a punt in significant playing time. It matters. Let just be real. If you have more playing time and you have those little tools you can put in your bag, it helps you. Absolutely take advantage.”
In a linebacker room where four roster spots are already accounted for between Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Edgerrin Cooper, and Ty’Ron Hopper, special teams is going to be Welch’s path towards playing time and making the roster.
However, while the fifth linebacker likely won’t have any or much of a role on defense, there is a prerequisite that the player must meet on that side of the ball in order to be on the team as well.
When in the game, Welch brings a level of stability to the position. The coaching staff knows what they will get from Welch, and there is absolutely value in that. He knows his role, he positions himself well, is a sound tackler, and often finds himself around the ball.
Most of training camp for Welch has been spent at the WILL or SAM linebacker positions, but against Indianapolis, he played MIKE as well. Again, when it comes to a player’s value and earning a roster spot, the ability to reliably step in at any one of the linebacker positions matters.
“I think he’s an instinctual player,” said linebackers coach Sean Duggan. “I think he does a good job of just playing fast and playing free. He finds ways to the ball, which you know that’s a huge part of it. You judge a linebacker based on how far you are from the ball at the end of the play, so I think he’s done a nice job.”
Competing with Welch for that potential final roster spot at linebacker is Isaiah Simmons. The versatility and athletic abilities that Simmons possesses brings a very unique skill set to both the Green Bay defense and special teams units. However, his preseason performances in particular have been very up and down.
Although perfection in the game of football can’t be obtained, it’s what Welch continues to chase. And even though the preseason is winding down and roster cuts are looming, that isn’t where Welch’s attention is either. Instead, he’s focused on the now, taking training camp one day at a time as he puts his best foot forward each day.
“I think I’m doing some things well. I’m far from perfect,” Welch said. “I’m always chasing perfection. I think a lot of my teammates would agree there with their own play. It’s just continuing to try to find ways to improve. Like I said, I think I’ve done some things well but still not there, right? I’m always trying to be perfect.”