There are a lot of expectations for the 2025 version of the Green Bay Packers. After posting a 9-8 record in 2023, the Packers improved their record to 11-6 last season, only to fall short in the NFC Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Many experts and fans predict that Green Bay will be a favorite to capture the NFC North title and, in the process, make the playoffs for a third straight season.
In order to make this prediction a reality, there are several key members of Matt LaFleur’s team in a make it or break it situation for a team looking to capture their first Super Bowl title in fifteen years.
1. Matt LaFleur – Head Coach
Some may argue that LaFleur’s name is on this list, while others will point out that the Packers have made the playoffs in five of his six seasons as the team’s head coach. While he has put together an impressive 67-33 regular season record, it’s the 3-5 postseason record that has management concerned.
New Packers president Ed Policy has gone on record saying he will not talk about contract extensions this season. A deep playoff run could certainly help LaFleur’s case for a new deal. Although the team has been competitive with LaFleur holding the clipboard, it seems as though 2025 is a Super Bowl appearance or bust season for the Packers’ head coach.
The challenge for LaFleur isn’t just about his win-loss record, but rather proving that he can elevate his team in the postseason. Will he be able to make the appropriate adjustments and decisions to not only help the Packers secure multiple playoff victories, but just as importantly, secure his job?
2. Jordan Love – Quarterback
Entering his fifth season — and third as the Packers’ starting quarterback — Jordan Love is currently ranked between seventh and tenth in the 2025 NFL MVP odds, according to many of the best sports betting apps. While he played two fewer games last season than the year before, Love’s completion percentage was the second-lowest of his short career, and he finished with seven fewer end-zone connections.
While that isn’t entirely his fault, as the team’s offense was more run-heavy than usual, the Packers will need their star to hit more of his targets this season in order to advance deeper into the playoffs.
Having to follow in the footsteps of Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre is no easy task, but Love has shown he has the talent and physical ability to be one of the best in today’s NFL, it’s just a matter of fine-tuning his decision-making and ability to read defenses.
3. Lukas Van Ness – EDGE
Selected 13th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, there were high hopes for the raw but explosive Iowa product. With two seasons on Lukas Van Ness’s resume, the team and fans are still waiting for the rawness to turn into consistent talent and the explosiveness to translate onto the NFL field on a consistent basis.
Recording just seven sacks in 34 games, the Packers’ defense needs Van Ness to step up this year to help Rashan Gary on the edge as a legit pass-rushing option. While it does take some players time to transition from college game speed and toughness to the NFL level, the Packers need Van Ness to be more than just a rotation player.
With all of the tools to be a successful NFL player, Van Ness needs to step up his game mentally in order to be a consistent threat that can help elevate the team’s defense to a championship level.
4. Devonte Wyatt – Defensive Tackle
When the Packers grabbed Devonte Wyatt in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the plan was to team him with Kenny Clark to form a dynamic and disruptive interior presence. In three seasons, Wyatt has only shown glimpses of what made him a star with the Georgia Bulldogs.
Equipped with all of the physical tools, explosiveness, quick hands, and a powerful body, Wyatt needs to step up to the plate and become the defensive anchor that can either stop the run or rush the passer that the Packers expected they were adding.
One of the Packers’ biggest defensive weaknesses has been the interior of their front line, allowing opposing quarterbacks time in the pocket or to escape outside pressure. If Wyatt can become a reliable three-down player, it could change the look of Green Bay’s defense.
5. Matthew Golden – Wide Receiver
It might be unfair to expect a rookie to have a breakout season, but for a player who was the Packers’ first wide receiver drafted in the first round in over twenty years, Matthew Golden will be asked to step up and produce right away.
If the former Texas Longhorn can quickly create a relationship with Love as a dependable target, it could force LaFleur to alter his playbook and let Love create offensively. Not since Davante Adams has Green Bay had a true number-one receiver who can constantly get open and make big game receptions. Based on what he showed during his one year in Texas and two seasons with the Houston Cougars at the start of his college career, Golden has the speed, hands, and creative route-running to become an offensive threat in his first year.
