NFL

Packers sign DT Devonte Wyatt to three-year, $57 million contract extension

In most cases, securing starting-caliber players for the remainder of their prime is good business. Franchises normally get a hometown discount when doing so, thus incentivizing them to proactively offer contract extensions.

The Packers may have gone too far here. Wyatt, 28, is a fine starter with some upside still in the tank, but his on-field performance hasn’t been worth this kind of money.

He’s best used as a twitched-up interior disruptor, backed up by his 16 career sacks. Wyatt’s explosiveness is his calling card, and he uses it masterfully on passing downs. Against the run, however, the 2022 first-round pick still struggles. Wyatt is a bit undersized for Green Bay’s 3-4 front, and it shows when opponents run at him.

Wyatt hasn’t exactly had a clean bill of health, either. He played in an impressive 33 games over his first two seasons, but the defensive tackle hasn’t been on the field nearly as often since. Wyatt played just 379 snaps last year, as he battled an ankle injury.

Extensions obviously prioritize future performance, and there’s a chance Wyatt’s arrow is still pointing up. He’ll need to prove that he’s fully healthy first, but a rise to Pro-Bowl level can’t be ruled out. After all, he possesses the rarest trait a defensive tackle can hold: pass-rushing ability. Further refinement as an early-down defender would do wonders in unlocking Wyatt’s potential. Stay tuned.

NBA

Lakers sign SF Matisse Thybulle to one-year, $3.3 million contract

This agreement is for the veteran’s minimum, landing Thybulle with his third NBA team.

Aside from keeping Austin Reaves on a new four-year pact, the Lakers’ offseason has been about adding defense. The big ticket addition was acquiring Walker Kessler, a stabilizing force around the rim. Los Angeles rightfully didn’t stop there, as Thybulle is the latest — and probably final — addition.

The book on Thybulle for years was that of an elite perimeter defender but poor shooter. In reality, the swingman still can’t shoot, though his three-point percentage has reached an acceptable level — albeit on the easiest of difficulties. Consistently left open from deep, Thybulle made 43.8 percent of his attempts in 2025 and 39.8 percent last season. Those marks, at least to a point, will cause defenses to possibly think twice before leaving the 29-year-old wide open.

Thybulle’s shooting does matter, though it’s obviously not what the Lakers are paying him for. On certain nights, there’ll be 15-20 minutes available for Thybulle to do what he does best: harass ball handlers and deflect passes. On a per-minute basis, there might not be a better wing defender in the sport, though again, Thybulle’s offense precludes him from keeping a major role.

Los Angeles now has 16 players with guaranteed contracts, so Rob Pelinka & Co. still have business to attend to. In the meantime, we’ll see if Thybulle can force his way into the team’s rotation, either through strong play or by necessity for a perimeter stopper.

Thybulle averaged 5.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per game last season with the Trail Blazers.