Packers release Manny Wilkins, opening up a roster spot for a potential addition

With the compensatory pick calculation window closing for free agency on Monday afternoon, the Green Bay Packers may be looking to add a player or two on the margins in the coming days. Now the team has a roster spot open to do just that if they see fit.

On Monday, the team announced that it has waived quarterback Manny Wilkins after one year in Green Bay. Wilkins signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent last season and competed in training camp with Tim Boyle and Deshone Kizer for the backup role behind Aaron Rodgers. That job went to Boyle, with the team releasing Wilkins and Kizer after training camp, but Wilkins returned to the team on the practice squad, spending all of 2019 on that unit.

However, the Packers now have a new presumptive backup quarterback in town, in the form of first-round pick Jordan Love. The team also has reportedly agreed to terms with an undrafted rookie signal-caller as well, Jalen Morton from Prairie View A&M. As a result, five quarterbacks is probably one two many for a team to carry in an offseason, and Wilkins appears to be the victim of a numbers game.

Wilkins’ release effectively leaves the Packers with one spot open on their 90-man offseason roster. Green Bay has 63 players currently under contract, with another two players having their rights belonging to the Packers due to recent waiver claims: Gerald Willis and Jamal Davis. Those two were claimed off waivers from the Dolphins, but likely are not listed on the team’s official roster since they cannot complete their physicals yet. Then the Packers also have their nine draft picks and 15 reported undrafted free agent signings, taking them to 89 players.

If the Packers decide to bring back a veteran like Tramon Williams or sign a free agent with the comp pick window closing, they now have a roster spot to do just that.