Last season could have been a massive year for Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt.
Wyatt had already totaled three sacks through the first three games of the season. Unfortunately, what could have been a breakout year for the 2022 first-round pick was derailed when he rolled his ankle in the fourth quarter of the Week 4 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Wyatt missed the next three games but, upon his return, never regained the same impact he had to start the season. He wouldn’t register another sack until Week 15, finishing with only five on the year.
“I don’t like speaking on it—I’m more of a go out there and show you type of guy, but I’m pretty sure I would have had a great year if I didn’t get injured,” Wyatt said following the last practice of mandatory minicamp on Thursday.
This offseason, the Packers exercised Wyatt’s fifth-year option, handing him a guaranteed salary of $12.9 million in 2026 with the expectation that he will continue to improve in an expanded role.
Despite appearing in 47 career games, Wyatt has started just five and has never played more than 50 percent of the defensive snaps in a season. But with the Packers moving on from nose tackle TJ Slaton, he’s expected to take on a full-time starting role in Year 4.
This will be a crucial year for Wyatt, who will undoubtedly get plenty of opportunities to go out and show why he deserves a long-term contract. For that to happen, Wyatt will need to continue to build on his early career success and do his best to avoid getting hurt. In addition to missing three games early in the season, Wyatt also exited early in Week 17 and during the playoff loss to the Eagles.
After getting bit the injury bug multiple times, he says he has been working on ankle mobility and staying hydrated to be more proactive about his health.
Following a disappointing 2024, the Packers hope their four-man pass rush will become one of their strengths next season. Wyatt has flashed great potential over the years, and if he can stay on the field, he could be an X-factor in 2025.
“I think he’s had some moments where he’s been outstanding, and I think we can build on that,” Matt LaFleur said Thursday of Wyatt. “I think he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do throughout the course of the offseason. I think he’s in a much better place, and I think he’ll be ready to go. Again, another guy I expect to go out there and play his best ball going into Year 4.”
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers DT Devonte Wyatt ready to show out after injury-plagued 2024