According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Green Bay Packers have released wide receiver Jalen Wayne, the cousin of NFL legend Reggie Wayne.
Jalen Wayne signed with the Packers on July 19, just days before the start of training camp, wearing the number 2 jersey, but failed to catch a single pass in the Green Bay Packers’ final preseason game against the Cleveland Browns.
An undrafted free agent in 2023, Wayne had a fleeting NFL career, previously attending training camps with the Buffalo Bills and Browns. During his time with the Bills, Wayne was notably given jersey No. 87, a nod to the number his famous cousin wore during his successful NFL career.
Final stop in Green Bay: Packers release Jalen Wayne
Jalen Wayne’s professional football career also included a brief stint in the Canadian Football League (CFL), where he signed with the Montreal Alouettes in January. The Alouettes, the defending CFL champions, released him in June due to a surplus of talent at the receiver position.
In his college career at South Alabama, Wayne got off to a modest start, catching just eight passes for 115 yards in his first three seasons. However, he made significant strides in his performance over the following seasons, catching 144 passes for a total of 1,863 yards in his final three years, demonstrating his potential as a capable receiver.
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Although Wayne showed promise in college and has NFL pedigree, he has had short and uncertain stints in his professional career, underscoring the challenges of securing a spot in the NFL. The Packers’ decision to release him marks another chapter in his ongoing search for a permanent position in professional football.
The Packers have not commented publicly on the specifics of the decision to release Wayne, but the move comes as NFL teams are making final roster cuts ahead of the regular season. Wayne’s inability to make a significant impact during preseason games likely influenced the Packers’ decision as they refine their roster to build a competitive team for the upcoming season.
