The Most Important Packers: No. 26 — P Daniel Whelan
Key takeaways
- Sports Money The Most Important Packers: No. 26 — P Daniel Whelan By Rob Reischel,
- Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights.
- Green Bay headed into the 2025 season with one of the NFL’s top rosters, then traded for star defensive end Micah Parsons 10 days before the year began.
Sports Money The Most Important Packers: No. 26 — P Daniel Whelan By Rob Reischel,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Rob Reischel is a Wisconsin-based reporter who covers the NFL.Follow Author Jul 03, 2026, 08:22am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Summary The Green Bay Packers endured a highly disappointing 2025 season, finishing 9-8-1 despite a strong roster and acquiring star Micah Parsons. They blew a 21-3 halftime lead to the Bears in the Wild Card round, losing 31-27, and ended the year with five straight losses. A recurring issue was collapsing late, blowing double-digit leads in three key games, a statistical anomaly. As the team faces a challenging 2026 without a first-round pick, punter Daniel Whelan stands out. Whelan had a record-breaking 2025, leading the NFL with a 51.7-yard gross average, a franchise best. Coach Matt LaFleur calls Whelan a "weapon" and "game-changer" for his ability to flip field position, highlighting his importance despite the team's struggles.
Green Bay Packers punter Daniel Whelan (19) led the NFL in gross average last season.Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.The Green Bay Packers were arguably the most disappointing team in football last year. And perhaps no one did less with more than Packers’ coach Matt LaFleur.