Packers UDFA has more guaranteed money than draft picks

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 4: Nyjalik Kelly #9 of the UCF Knights looks down the field against the Kansas Jayhawks during the the second half at FBC Mortgage Stadium on October 4, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Eston Parker/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images

Cap guru Ken Ingalls has reported some of the Green Bay Packers’ top guarantees for their undrafted free agents in the 2026 class. According to Ingalls, edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly received $247,500 in guarantees, followed by offensive linemen Josh Gesky ($200,000), receiver J. Michael Sturdivant ($200,000) and linebacker TJ Quinn ($150,000).

Reporting has also dropped on the Packers’ 2026 draft pick signings, as all but second-round pick cornerback Brandon Cisse have signed. Green Bay’s final draft choice in the 2026 class was kicker Trey Smack, who received $206,532 in guaranteed money, all in the form of a signing bonus.

Yes, that means that Kelly actually received more in guarantees than a draft choice, and that both Gesky and Sturdivant were close to Smack’s mark.

This is a pivot in strategy for the Packers, who usually aren’t big spenders in undrafted free agency, despite having a 21-year streak of rostering an undrafted rookie. In 2025, for example, the undrafted rookie with the most guarantees that they signed post-draft was nose tackle Nazir Stackhouse, who made $165,000 in guarantees. Only two other players make more than $15,000 guaranteed to sign with Green Bay: linebacker Jamon Johnson and safety , who each received $115,000.