Stokes will be in a contract season in Green Bay this year, as the team turned down the corner’s 2025 option.

Despite cornerback Eric Stokes being a “full go” in organized team activities, per head Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur, the former first-round pick did not have his fifth-year option picked up by Wednesday’s deadline. This shouldn’t be much of a surprise, as Stokes has only been able to play in 12 games over the last two seasons following his breakout rookie season of 2021.

According to Pro Football Focus, Stokes had a 65.5 grade in 2021, but was graded out at 53.7 and 51.5 the next two seasons. Stokes’ 2022 season ended midway through the year when he suffered ankle and knee injuries that not only required surgery but left him in a wheelchair for a point in time. Starting the season on the physically unable to perform list, in part due to a hamstring injury that he suffered during his rehab, Stokes played three games in 2023 before going down with another hamstring issue that left him on injured reserve once more. He was actually allowed to practice with the team for a few weeks in December, but was never actually activated back to the 53-man roster following his second hamstring issue of 2023.

This offseason, the Packers stated that they were going to visit experts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to try to identify the hamstring issues that both Stokes and receiver Christian Watson have faced. According to the team, they believe they have a plan that should keep their two fastest players on the field. Green Bay also changed up their strength and conditioning staff this offseason, as LaFleur hired Aaron Hill of San Francisco to replace Chris Gizzi.

In his post-draft press conference, LaFleur was asked about Stokes’ health, as the team was able to execute Phase 1 of its offseason program before the draft. He said that Stokes “looks great,” which is one reason why Green Bay has “a lot of confidence” in its cornerback room going into 2024.

Many thought that the Packers could go cornerback as high as the first round of last month’s draft, but general manager Brian Gutekunst waited until the seventh round to select Penn State cornerback Kalen King, meaning that the squad will have to rely on returning contributors Jaire Alexander, Carrington Valentine, Keisean Nixon, Corey Ballentine, Robert Rochell and Stokes — as well as the addition of King — this year.

Even if Stokes wins the starting outside cornerback job opposite of Alexander, which should be a battle between Stokes and Valentine, there’s no promise that the team will re-sign him in 2025. Last year, the Packers had a former first-round pick playing in a contract year in safety Darnell Savage. After being put in the doghouse for a stretch of play in 2022, Savage won the starting job in 2023. Ultimately, the team allowed him to walk in free agency to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who signed him to a three-year, $21 million contract.

Packers make eye-opening contract decision after draft

The Packers released a formerly successful rookie.

The Green Bay Packers finished short of their goal of winning the NFC North last season, allowing teams like the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers to defeat them in the season’s biggest games. The Packers have now found themselves in retooling-on-the-fly mode, in hopes of improving their team, including their cornerbacks room.

Recently, it was announced that the Packers have jettisoned a cornerback with a bevy of experience after he played well as a rookie and battled injuries for the past two seasons.

The news came amid Davante Adams’ praise for Packers QB Jordan Love. Grades were handed out for the Packers 11 recent NFL Draft picks.

On Thursday, reporter Mike Garafolo shared the latest news on Eric Stokes, the latest Packers player to be released.

Packers Release Former Draft Pick 

The Packers have decided to decline Stokes’ fifth-year option according to Garafolo’s sources. Stokes was the 29th pick in 2021 and played well as a rookie according to Garafolo. He’s expected to be a free agent next year and could be in line for a big payday.

The #Packers are declining the fifth-year option for CB Eric Stokes, source says. The 29th pick in 2021, Stokes played well as a rookie but has battled injuries the past two years. He’s slated for free agency next spring and can make a case for a big payday if he stays healthy. pic.twitter.com/oAjQlCeGfn

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) May 2, 2024

Stokes’ Impact on Packers 

Stokes had 55 tackles for Coach Matt LaFleur’s team in his rookie season, after entering the NFL from Athens, Georgia, home of Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs. He also had one interception.

As the Packers’ team improved, LaFleur and Green Bay began to play him less. Stokes played in 16, 9 and 3 games respectively among his three NFL seasons,

The Packers are releasing Stokes during a time in which they are expected to face new challenges in the NFC North. The Lions have moved on from last year’s number two wideout Josh Reynolds and are now rolling with Jameson Williams at the WR2 position alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown.

The Bears added Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze to a talented passing game that could quickly become the greatest in franchise history. Meanwhile, the Vikings still have Justin Jefferson, arguably the number one wide receiver in the entire National Football League, and have added JJ McCarthy and Sam Darnold at the quarterback position along with pass catching running back Aaron Jones, formerly of Green Bay.