The Packers have built a reputation for quickly taking care of their own homegrown players when it comes to contract extensions, and this season could follow the same blueprint in Green Bay.
With new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon’s arrival, and a potential rotation taking root along the defensive line with Devonte Wyatt and Javon Hargrave, former sixth-round pick Karl Brooks may be the biggest winner of some fluidity in snap distribution this upcoming season.
Karl Brooks a contract extension candidate for Packers
Over at Packers on SI, veteran reporter Bill Huber argues that Brooks could be among the favorites to play his way into a new contract extension during the 2026 campaign.
“Brooks will be in the next-man-up battle behind presumptive starters Devonte Wyatt and Javon Hargrave,” Huber points out. “He was drafted to be a penetrating, playmaking defensive lineman. Maybe new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon can get him back on track.
“As with Valentine, his base salary was raised to $3.674 million.”
Brooks has been a rotational player to date, with 34 total tackles through his first three seasons, and eight sacks along with them. If he thrives in an expanded role in the defense, there’s little question he could be in line for an even more significant pay raise and even more significant job security moving forward, via a new deal to come.