Paul Bretl | 8/28/2025
GREEN BAY, Wis. — It’s been a whirlwind 48 hours for new Packers’ linebacker Nick Niemann.
Niemann signed with the Houston Texans this offseason after spending his first four NFL seasons with the LA Chargers. From a contract standpoint, this may have been one of the more surprising cuts around the NFL, with Houston signing Niemann to a two-year deal that included $4 million guaranteed.
“I was caught a little bit by surprise but, at the same time, they also have a deep linebacker room,” Niemann said of being released. “It was very competitive, so you want to think positive but, at the same time, it’s a business and it’s hard to make a roster. Just got to accept it and move on.”
Hit like and subscribe to my YouTube Channel ‘The Paul Bretl Show’ for more Packers coverage.
That took place on Tuesday. Niemann then said he spent some time trying to decide what was next for him. However, that decision ended up being out of his control with the Packers claiming him on waivers and there wasn’t a lot of time for thinking either.
By 5:00 AM Wednesday morning, Niemann was on a flight out of Houston headed for Green Bay. He arrived, took his physical, and was on the practice field Wednesday afternoon.
“Got here today and here we are – we’re practicing,” Niemann said. “That’s how it goes around the league. You get a new opportunity, you’ve just got to dive in and learn as you go and hit the ground running.”
A sixth-round pick by the Chargers in 2021, Niemann has played 366 defensive snaps during his first four NFL seasons, with 247 of them coming in 2023, where he made three starts.
In what his a somewhat small sample size, Niemann has been a very reliable tackle, missing only two of his 34 career attempts. In coverage, he’s allowed a completion rate of 65% on 20 targets and only 8.5 yards per catch with one interception.
“(There’s) A lot of guys that have been here but a good room to learn from at the same time,” Niemann said of the Packers’ linebacker room. “You’ve got guys that have been in this system and are established and bring a lot of stuff to the table. You’ve got to learn from them and try to bring your own thing to it and contribute where you can.”
But where Niemann’s bread-and-butter has been during his NFL career is on special teams. In his four seasons with the Chargers, Niemann has played at least 300 special teams snaps each season, totaling 1,336 for his career, and contributing to five of the six different phases.
Out of 200 eligible special teams contributors across the NFL in 2024, Niemann ranked 30th in PFF’s grading system.
“Just having a good feel and having trigger,” Niemann said of playing special teams. “Being physical, playing fast, and being disruptive is pretty much it. That’s what I try to do.”
In a linebacker room that features Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker, Isaiaha McDuffie, and Ty’Ron Hopper, Niemann’s role in Green Bay will be as a special teams contributor. That is why Brian Gutekunst claimed him on waivers, with my guess being that they saw him as an upgrade in that regard over Kristian Welch.
With getting a very late start, Niemann is going to be learning Jeff Hafley and Rich Bisaccia’s schemes on the fly.
Although not an apples-to-apples comparison, quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion recently described what it was like getting Malik Willis up to speed last season, which included a more narrow week-to-week focus on the game plan rather than the big picture scope of how the offense operates.
Niemann will certainly still be drinking out of a firehose, as they say, with all of the new information, but this process can help make it more digestible. Either way, he’s excited for the opportunity to join the Packers.
“Man, just coming into an organization with this fanbase, this history – everyone has good things to say about this,” Niemann said. “I’ve talked to other guys that have played here and it’s nothing but good stuff to say, from the staff, fans, support staff, the community feel here of everyone is living and breathing Packer football. Just can’t wait to be a part of that.”