The Green Bay Packers could see up to six starters hit unrestricted free agency in 2026. On offense, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom, and Rasheed Walker are all set to become free agents. On defense, Quay Walker is also in line for free agency. However, General Manager Brian Gutekunst wants to keep the former bulldog in the long term.
Over The Cap projects Green Bay to have -$7.1 million in effective cap space in 2026, ranking sixth-lowest in the league. The Packers will have to make some tough decisions, as it will be virtually impossible to retain all their starters without putting themselves in an even more challenging cap position.
The Packers need draft assets to ensure they have the ammunition to offset potential losses in free agency. With that in mind—and considering Green Bay invested heavily in the wide receiver position during the draft—a Packers wideout has been rumored to be a trade target for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
According to Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan, the Steelers have inquired about Romeo Doubs.
Romeo Doubs has built chemistry with quarterback Jordan Love dating back to their time taking snaps together on the scout team. As contract talks loom, the deal Khalil Shakir signed with the Buffalo Bills—worth $15 million annually—could serve as a baseline. Doubs has had a more productive career than Shakir, but concerns persist. He suffered two concussions last season, and while he’s been a steady presence, he hasn’t emerged as Green Bay’s clear-cut No. 1 wideout.
With Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Matthew Golden, and Savion Williams under contract for 2026, the Packers may not view a long-term deal for Doubs as a pressing priority. Given his injury history and current role, the smart move could be to explore trade options now rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency.
In 2023, Romeo Doubs led the team in targets, ranked second in receptions, and tied with Jayden Reed for the team lead in receiving touchdowns. Although his role slightly shifted last season, he still finished third in targets, remaining a consistent part of the offense.
The most likely scenario is that Doubs finishes the final year of his rookie deal in Green Bay. However, given the long-term structure of the Packers’ receiving corps and the overall roster, it wouldn’t hurt for Brian Gutekunst to at least pick up the phone and explore what Pittsburgh might be willing to offer.