In one of the Packers’ many moves during the first week of free agency, they re-signed free agent linebacker and special teams player Kristian Welch to a one-year deal. The four-year veteran, who went undrafted out of Iowa in 2020, joined Green Bay in 2023 after a three-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens.

Now, Welch didn’t play any snaps on defense last season. He is a predominant special teams contributor. The former Hawkeye played 60% of the team’s special teams snaps, which equates to 210 snaps total. Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia should be excited about having one of his top players back in the fold.

The Packers will still need to find a better overall linebacker to join Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie in the middle of the defense. Welch only has 27 career tackles in four seasons after all. The release of former All-Pro linebacker De’Vondre Campbell at the beginning of free agency has left a void in the middle of Green Bay’s defense. Reports indicate that Green Bay has indeed been in the market for a linebacker. They were interested in former Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell, who later signed with Carolina on a three-year deal. Perhaps GM Brian Gutekunst could look to possibly add a free agent on a cheaper contract.

The other option is the draft. They could look to address the position in the first or second round if there is not a nice free agent acquisition out there.

Regardless, the re-signing of Kristian Welch is a quality move for familiarity reasons and for depth along the defense and special teams units.