Packers decline CB Eric Stokes' fifth-year option

Cornerback Eric Stokes can become a free agent in March after the Green Bay Packers declined the 2025 team option in his contract.

Drafted 29th out of Georgia in 2021, Stokes and the Packers could work out a contract extension before the current deal expires. But he'll likely have some proving to do before general manager Brian Gutekunst floats new paperwork.

Picking up the fifth-year option would've been worth only $12.47 million, a relatively light guarantee because he failed to reach the required playing time threshold.

Stokes, identified last week as one of the players standing out in the offseason program by head coach Matt LaFleur, turned in a stellar rookie season in 2021. He played in 16 games, posting 55 tackles and an interception, but injuries limited him to 12 total games the past two seasons. He had surgery following right ankle and knee injuries in Nov. 22 and didn't appear in a game until Oct. 22 last season.

He was activated from the physically unable to perform list before the October loss to the Broncos, but his return was short-lived because of a hamstring injury. Stokes didn't suit up again until Dec. 17 and appeared in three regular-season games last season.

The deadline for teams to exercise fifth-year options for 2021 first-rounders was Thursday.