With both the UFL and NFL in their offseason lulls, it's the perfect time to dive into some offseason content. As the UFL awaits the next wave of NFL signings for the 2026 player acquisition cycle, we're taking a look back at how each NFL team has utilized spring football as a developmental pipeline during the modern era of spring football since 2022. We continue the series with the Green Bay Packers, highlighting every spring league player the organization has signed over the past four years.
2022 Cycle:
With the 2022 USFL bring back spring football the Packers would sign six players at the completion of the season. While Sal Cannella (New Orleans Breakers), and Dexter Williams (Philadelphia Stars) would be released at the conclusion of training camp, the other four signees' path was a bit less linear.
Osirus Mitchell (Birmingham Stallions) and Ishmael Hyman (Michigan Panthers), both would be waived in September due to injuries in camp, and would receive settlements.
Micah Abernathy (Houston Gamblers), would actually make the active roster, only to bounce back and forth on the Packers roster, and practice squad before joining the Atlanta Falcons.
K Ramiz Ahmed (Pittsburgh Maulers), would earn a practice squad opportunity, even appearing in one game due to an injury to Mason Crosby. Ahmed would receive another elevation however, would injure his leg in pre game warm ups, and would not be signed after the season.
2023 Cycle:
2023, saw four spring football players earn opportunities with the Packers during this signing class. Elijah Hamilton (St. Louis Battlehawks) and Cole Schnieder (Birmingham Stallions) would both be released during training camp, however 2023 USFL MVP QB Alex McGough (Birmingham Stallions) would earn a spot on the practice squad. McGough would spend 2023, and most of 2024 with the Packers, even transitioning to Wide Receiver. He would not be resigned in 2025, rejoining the Birmingham Stallions before his eventual retirement prior to the 2026 UFL season.
The gem of this class (and maybe the team) would be Punter Daniel Whelan from the D.C. Defenders, who has been the starting punter for Green Bay since 2023. He was recently signed to an extension that should keep him with the franchise until 2028.
The Packers would also sign EDGE Deandre Johnson (Houston Roughnecks) during the offseason period going into the 2024 NFL season. He’d be released during OTAs.
2024 Cycle:
Post Merger the Packers would sign three players from the newly formed UFL. EDGE Zach Morton (San Antonio Brahmas), and DL Keonte Schad (Houston Roughnecks) would both be released at the conclusion of training camp. RB Nate McCrary (Michigan Panthers), would receive an injury settlement and later be released in September.
2025 Cycle:
Lucas Harvisik (Arlington Renegades) would join the Packers in October of 2024, eventually providing relief for Brandon McManus who was dealing with an injury. Harvisik appeared in three games for Green Bay in 2025, going 4 for 4 on FGs and 7 of 9 on extra points. He also hit from 61 yards for a franchise record. Harvisik is in line to compete with Trey Smack, a 6th round draft pick out of the University of Florida.
In total, sixteen players signed with Green Bay since 2022, with several managing to provide value making the active roster or practice squad. Leading the charge is Punter Daniel Whelan who has managed to carve a nice niche with the Packers becoming a vested NFL veteran with the team. It is worth noting Lucas Harvisik also has a chance to make an impact if he holds off the rookie Trey Smack. The Packers have yet to sign any players from the 2026 UFL class, however more transactions are expected towards the final week of July.