The Green Bay Packers trimmed the fat in the wide receiver room heading into next season, but still had space for a veteran player on a value deal ahead of the NFL draft.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Monday, April 20 that wideout Bo Melton is back in Green Bay for the 2026 campaign after inking his one-year contract tender worth just shy of $1.15 million.
“NFC North updates: 🏈 Vikings restricted free agent LB Ivan Pace signed his tender today, per his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln,” Schefter wrote. “🏈 [Green Bay] Packers exclusive rights free agent WR Bo Melton also signed his tender today.”
Bo Melton Back as Reserve in Somewhat New-Look Packers’ Wide Receiver Room
Melton is a second-string receiver alongside 2025 third-round pick Savion Williams and veteran journeyman Skyy Moore, who is now with his third team in five seasons (Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers).
Green Bay’s starting WRs are Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden, after Romeo Doubs left in free agency for $68 million over four years from the New England Patriots.
The Packers also traded Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles last week in return for a fifth-round draft pick this year and a sixth-rounder in 2027.
Melton, a seventh-round pick out of Rutgers in 2022 who will play the upcoming campaign at age 27, has appeared in 38 games for the Packers and made two starts across his three-year professional career.
Melton has seen a total of 486 offensive snaps and 339 special teams snaps in Green Bay. He has tallied 28 receptions for 416 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver. Melton also served as a kick returner in 2025, bringing back 19 kickoffs for 467 total yards (24.6 yards per return).
Packers Still Face Question of QB2 Behind Starter Jordan Love
Green Bay’s group of pass-catchers appears pretty well set, especially with tight end Tucker Kraft on schedule to return in time for Week 1 after an ACL tear derailed what may have otherwise been a Pro Bowl campaign for him in 2025.
Arguably the biggest question facing the Packers’ offense — save from how they will improve the offensive line both in terms of top-end starting talent and depth, particularly considering the team has no first-round pick in this week’s draft — is who will serve as backup quarterback behind starter Jordan Love?
Malik Willis filled that role for the past two seasons, but he left for a three-year contract from the Dolphins in free agency, joining two other Packers defectors in new Miami GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley.
Willis appeared in 11 games for Green Bay over two seasons, starting three of those. His talent, both natural and in the context of the offense, proved critical at multiple junctures for the Packers, which is why the question of his replacement looms so significantly.
Green Bay has quarterback Desmond Ridder on the roster, but could also be potential trade suitors for Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts or Will Levis of the Tennessee Titans in the coming days/weeks.
