The Green Bay Packers only had four off-ball linebackers on the 90-man roster. Not anymore. On Friday, the team signed back Kristian Welch, a preseason standout in 2024 but who ended up not making the 53-man roster . After a season with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, he's back in Green Bay.
Welch had a really impactful preseason last year, especially in the third game against the Ravens. He finished the exhibition games with 13 tackles, eight stops, and allowing an impressive 44.6 passer rating when targeted.
At first, Welch had been signed by the Packers in 2023 to the practice squad and promoted to the active roster during the season as a special teamer. Despite the great defensive performance in preseason, he didn't make the team in 2024, though, and was quickly signed by the Broncos. Cut Midway through the season, he spent some time back with the Ravens, which was also his first team in the NFL.
Why the Packers made the move
Before signing Kristian Welch, the Packers only had Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, and Ty'Ron Hopper on the roster. Eric Wilson left Green Bay and signed back with the Minnesota Vikings in free agency.
Welch offers the Packers most of what Wilson did—special teams ability and defensive depth at the linebacker position. Moreover, at 26, he still has more upside.
Last season, combining his stints with both the Broncos and Raiders, Kristian Welch played 285 special teams snaps and 53 defensive snaps. The defensive performance wasn't impactful, but the linebacker was solid on special teams with four tackles, despite one missed tackle and one penalty.
Season of off-ball linebacker moves
After a stellar rookie season, Edgerrin Cooper is expected to have a bigger role in 2025. But the Packers have made and have to make several moves at the position. Eric Wilson was let go, Isaiah McDuffie signed a two-year extension to stay around, and the Packers have to decide on Quay Walker's fifth-year option.
Kristian Welch is a Wisconsin native. Undrafted in 2020, he spent three seasons in Baltimore before originally signing with the Packers.
