The Green Bay Packers continue to fine-tune their roster ahead of training camp and the 2025 season. A player once seen as a potential roster fit back in March may no longer be in the team’s plans as June nears.
That seems to be the case in Green Bay, where the team has already parted ways with a player signed shortly after the 2024 season concluded. In order to bring in new talent, a corresponding move must be made—and on Wednesday, one defensive back found himself on the losing end of that roster adjustment.
Former BYU standout Kaleb Hayes was waived by the Packers on Wednesday to make room for another veteran cornerback—Green Bay signed former Houston Texans defensive back Gregory Junior.
Hayes, who went undrafted out of BYU, has had several stops around the league, including stints with the Jaguars, Giants, and Broncos. He signed a reserve/futures deal with Green Bay in January 2025. Now 26, Hayes will look to find another opportunity to continue his NFL career.
Though Hayes didn’t get much of a chance to prove himself in Green Bay, Junior may have better luck. Joining the team ahead of OTAs on May 27, the former sixth-round pick from Ouachita Baptist has played in 10 career games, tallying 17 tackles (including two for loss) and one pass deflection.
Junior’s athletic traits likely caught the attention of Green Bay’s front office. Though he measures 5’11”, he boasts an impressive 39.5-inch vertical and clocked a 40-yard dash time just over 4.4 seconds—physical tools that any team would value in a defensive back.
Whether he can capitalize on those traits and earn a spot on the final roster remains to be seen. But if Junior manages to stand out during training camp, this could prove to be one of the Packers’ more impactful offseason additions.
