The Green Bay Packers are in the midst of a pivotal off-season. The team has invested heavily in the offensive line and defense since the end of the 2023 campaign. In fact, 9 of their 11 draft picks in the 2024 NFL Draft focused on those two areas.
As the 2024 season approaches, the Packers will continue to focus on the long-term health of their team. At this point, that doesn’t include extending one of their former first-round draft picks.
The Green Bay Packers Refuse To Extend 25-Year-Old Starter
A contract year is officially underway for Eric Stokes. Green Bay Packers declined to exercise Stokes’ fifth-year option for 2025. Stokes becomes an unrestricted free agent after the 2024 season.
The #Packers are declining the fifth-year option for CB Eric Stokes, source says. The 29th pick in 2021, Stokes played well as a rookie but has battled injuries the past two years. He’s slated for free agency next spring and can make a case for a big payday if he stays healthy. pic.twitter.com/oAjQlCeGfn
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) May 2, 2024
This, of course, doesn’t mean Stokes won’t be back with the team in 2025, however, he will have to earn another contract.
Eric Stokes Has Had An Up And Down Career In Green Bay
Eric Stokes had a promising rookie season after being drafted in the first round in 2021. When Jaire Alexander got injured, Stokes was the team’s primary cornerback for the remainder of the season.
He played poorly in 2022 and then suffered serious knee and ankle injuries in the middle of the season, which forced him to miss the second half of 2022, as well as the first half of 2023.
In 2023, Stokes returned, but he was injured again (this time a hamstring injury). Despite his ability to play, his performance was not nearly as good as it had been in 2021.
If you’re not STOKED for Eric Stokes yet…..just check out his highlight reel 👀
🎥: @BookOfEli_NFL pic.twitter.com/qkLpldUsE9
— Game On Wisconsin (@gameonwi) April 30, 2021
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