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Former Packers wide receiver Malik Heath.

With Jayden Reed finally ready to return, the Green Bay Packers are cutting ties with one of their disgruntled wide receivers before facing Chicago.

According to the team’s official transaction wire, the Packers released wide receiver Malik Heath from their 53-man roster on Saturday, December 6, clearing the roster spot needed to activate Reed — one of their top playmakers — from injured reserve.

Heath made the Packers’ roster as a UDFA in 2023 and has since played a backup role for their receiving corps, catching 31 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns on 44 targets over his 37 career games. He had not garnered much of a role in 2025, though, despite multiple injuries at the position seemingly presenting him with opportunities.

The Packers also officially announced they claimed defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks, a move reflected in December 5’s transactions.

The Packers (8-3-1) will kick off against the Bears (9-3) at 4:25 p.m. ET today.

Malik Heath Caused Stir for Packers Earlier in 2025

Heath has been a quality rotational receiver for the Packers for the past few seasons, but his standing with the team had seemed a little rocky over the last several weeks.

Signs of trouble related to Heath first showed in Week 11 when the Packers abruptly ruled him out due to a coach’s decision one day before playing the New York Giants. As Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted on social media on November 15, “anytime it’s the coach’s decision, you can assume it’s a disciplinary move.”

While Packers head coach Matt LaFleur declined to say why the team held out Heath, he had allegedly engaged in social media taboo that week, reposting a fan’s comment that criticized his target share and asked: “Why do they hate Malik Heath so much?”

Either way, LaFleur made it clear at the time that Heath was still part of the team.

“I’m just going to keep that between our team. It’s just one of those decisions,” LaFleur said in November 16’s postgame after defeating the Giants. “But I will say this about Malik: he’s definitely a valued member of our team. He does a lot of good work for us, and I look forward to seeing him tomorrow.”

Maybe Heath was always bound to lose his roster spot once the Packers had everyone healthy at wide receiver, but it will be interesting to see if LaFleur has anything more to say about the situation now that Heath has been cut loose from the 53-man roster.

Will Packers Re-Sign Malik Heath to Practice Squad?

Heath is not with the Packers anymore, but could they explore bringing him back on their practice squad in the coming days? His production and experience say yes, but the team’s presumed disciplinary action with him last month suggests otherwise.

If Heath has cooled off and is still on good terms with the Packers, then the team should have every reason to want him back. Romeo Doubs is a free agent in 2026, while Reed and Christian Watson are entering the final years of their respective deals. That’s reason enough to remain invested in Heath’s development at least until next offseason.

Then again, if Heath is still unhappy about his role and no longer believes he has a place with the Packers, then perhaps he will embrace his free agency and try to find a role with a team that is more willing to throw him the ball. It might not land him with a playoff contender, but he may find meaningful snaps with a team short on depth.