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Just hours earlier, the Packers re-signed kicker Lucas Havrisik to return to the practice squad ahead of a brutal playoff-race matchup with the Bears

Just hours earlier, the Packers re-signed kicker Lucas Havrisik to return to the practice squad ahead of a brutal playoff-race matchup with the Bears

Green Bay, Wisconsin. Today

The Green Bay Packers entered the week of their matchup with the Chicago Bears with a move that surprised many fans, yet made perfect sense given the circumstances: re-signing kicker Lucas Havrisik and bringing him back to the practice squad just hours before news of Devonte Wyatt’s injury began to spread. A small transaction on paper, but one that carries significant meaning for the team’s stability during a turbulent stretch.

According to ESPN sources, the Packers evaluated several options before deciding to bring Havrisik back. With the team navigating a series of tightly contested games where every point and every kick could influence the playoff race, the coaching staff believed Havrisik — who spent time with the Packers during the offseason — was the most familiar and fitting choice to reinforce the roster.

Havrisik, 25, known for his powerful long-range leg and confident demeanor, has been viewed as one of the more intriguing young kicking prospects in the NFL. Although he didn’t make the final roster in preseason cuts, the coaching staff stayed in touch and monitored his progress in recent months.

An internal source shared that Havrisik was “completely ready” and even arrived at Lambeau Field just hours after receiving the team’s call. He reportedly completed a warm-up session that very night, demonstrating both professionalism and a strong desire to seize the opportunity.
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Head coach Matt LaFleur said during his press conference: “We need reliability at every position, especially on special teams. Lucas understands the system, has a strong work ethic, and brings the kind of healthy competition we’re looking for.”

Havrisik’s return is seen as perfectly timed as the Packers prepare for a matchup with the Bears that holds both technical and emotional weight. The league’s oldest rivalry always produces fierce battles, and every small detail can become the difference-maker.

With the defense absorbing a major blow following Devonte Wyatt’s injury, the Packers need stability across all remaining positions. Analysts note that Havrisik may not be an instant game-changer, but he is a meaningful addition that allows the Packers to enter the game with greater confidence.

And in a week filled with upheaval, the return of Lucas Havrisik serves as a positive signal that the Packers are still firmly focused on the bigger picture — the demanding playoff race ahead.

San Francisco 49ers Face a Difficult Decision With a Key Veteran in the 2026 Offseason
SANTA CLARA, California – The San Francisco 49ers are facing one of the most difficult decisions of the 2026 offseason as the future of one of the team’s veteran cornerstones has become one of the most discussed topics. The issue this time is not about on-field performance, but rather the growing financial pressure. At the center of the situation is the contract of Trent Williams, who is still considered one of the best left tackles in the NFL. According to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the 49ers must make a decision soon because Williams carries a cap hit of approximately $38.84 million for the 2026 season. The situation becomes complicated because parting ways with Williams is almost impossible financially. If San Francisco trades or releases him before June 1, the team would still be responsible for $34.15 million in dead cap, making any decision to separate extremely costly and risky. What is notable is that the issue has nothing to do with Williams’ performance. Even at 37 years old and turning 38 in July, he continues to perform at an elite level. According to PFF, Williams recorded a 91.5 overall grade, ranking third among offensive tackles across the NFL. In addition, Williams earned a 92.8 run-blocking grade, ranking second in the league. He played 996 offensive snaps during the 2025 season and allowed only four sacks all year. Those numbers clearly show that he remains one of the most important pillars of San Francisco’s offense. Because of that, the most frequently mentioned solution is a contract restructure. This move could help the 49ers reduce the 2026 cap hit by pushing some of the money into future years. However, Williams’ side could request additional guaranteed money, since his current contract no longer contains guaranteed salary for 2026. The situation becomes even more complicated because the 49ers also have several other plans during the offseason. The team hopes to retain wide receiver Jauan Jennings and is reportedly interested in free agents Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs. These priorities increase the salary-cap pressure, making Trent Williams’ contract one of the most important decisions San Francisco must handle this offseason.