GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers made headlines at their rookie minicamp this week, bringing in nine tryout players—and two names that will sound very familiar to NFL fans.
Headlining the group is veteran wide receiver Chase Claypool, a former second-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020 who nearly became a Packer in 2022. At that year's trade deadline, Green Bay offered a second-round pick for the Notre Dame product, but the Steelers opted for a similar offer from the Chicago Bears, believing it would yield a higher selection in the 2023 draft.
That decision didn't pan out for Chicago. Claypool played just 10 games for the Bears, catching 18 passes for 191 yards and one touchdown. In October 2023, the Bears shipped him to Miami along with a seventh-round pick in exchange for a sixth-rounder. The following year, he signed a one-year, $1.135 million deal with the Buffalo Bills but was released at the end of training camp. Claypool hasn't appeared in an NFL game since the 2023 season.
Now, the 6-foot-4 receiver is getting another shot in Green Bay, hoping to recapture the promise he showed early in his career with the Steelers. For a team always looking to add depth at the position, Claypool's size and experience could be intriguing.
Also joining the tryout list is Alabama-Birmingham running back Isaiah Jacobs—the younger brother of Packers star running back Josh Jacobs. It's a feel-good storyline that adds a family connection to the camp, and fans will be watching to see if the younger Jacobs can make his own mark.
Beyond the familiar faces, the Packers are also signing several undrafted free agents following the 2026 NFL Draft. Among them is Iowa State offensive lineman Dylan Barrett, who previously played at Wisconsin—a familiar name for local fans.
Other tryout participants include quarterback Kyron Drones from Virginia Tech. In 12 games during his senior season (2025), Drones completed 56.5% of his passes for 1,919 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He started 34 games over three years with the Hokies after beginning his college career at Baylor. A dual-threat weapon, Drones also rushed for over 1,847 yards and 22 touchdowns in college, including nine last season.
Rounding out the list is linebacker TJ Quinn from Louisville, who led the Cardinals in tackles in both 2023 and 2024 and earned third-team All-ACC honors.
With rookie camp in full swing, the Packers are leaving no stone unturned as they evaluate talent for the upcoming season. Whether Claypool or Jacobs can earn a spot remains to be seen, but the tryout list proves Green Bay is always looking for the next gem.