The 2026 NFL Season begins today for the Green Bay Packers. Technically. While meaningful football remains months away, Packers players will take the field for the first time on Tuesday as the quest for Lombardi #5 begins. While we won’t learn a lot from these sessions, there are still a few things fans should keep an eye on.
Injuries
This applies to both healthy and currently injured players. Last season OTA’s provided the first indications that Christian Watson was ahead of schedule, could we get similar hints with regards to players like Micah Parsons, Tucker Kraft or Devonte Wyatt? It’s no coincidence that losing these three dramatically impacted the Packers season last year, and signs that any of them are on track or better would be a big boost for Green Bay. Zach Tom is another player that dealt with injuries and also had offseason surgery, how does he look?
On the flip side the only real goal for OTA’s is getting out of them without injury. While it’s far less likely than a training camp injury, anything long term coming out of OTA’s would be a brutal start for a team that has less depth than the previous season.
Packers Rookies
Green Bay is known for taking their time with rookies. There are some exceptions here and there but generally speaking you won’t see them running with the starters right off the bat. Not including K Trey Smack there doesn’t seem to be a player that stands out as one that might be able to be one of those exceptions. That being said I think any of the Packers first three picks could have a decent shot at earning real playing time, and OTA’s may be our first chance to see if any of them break through early.
Players Taking The Leap
One of the consequences of having high cost players like Jordan Love and Micah Parsons means that roster building becomes a bit tougher. Additionally the cost of acquiring Parsons has further put a strain on maintaining roster depth.
This years Packers team has lost multiple starters from the previous season. Romeo Doubs, Elgton Jenkins, Quay Walker and Rasheed Walker are all gone now. The Packers have done a good job having replacements built into the roster, but those replacements now have to step up and be real contributors.
Two players in particular come to mind, Jordan Morgan and Matthew Golden. Both players should be seeing an uptick in play time (particularly Morgan) and both guys are going to be key to the Packers having success in 2026.
Golden looked sharp in OTA’s and training camp to start last season but then got lost in what was a crowded WR room. When he flashed though you saw everything the Packers did when they took him – strong hands and the ability to separate well. What stopped him from a bigger impact beyond the players was struggling with route work. If he gets off to a strong start in OTA’s don’t be surprised if he breaks out in year 2.
Morgan on the other hand sounds like he may have already taken that leap. According to GM Brian Gutekunst, Morgan had played well enough to unseat Rasheed Walker last season. Injuries and lack of depth on the O-line last year kept them from making that change. That isn’t an option this year. Morgan has been all but handed the position with the current state of the roster, and his ability to protect Jordan Love may be the biggest keystone to the entire Packers season.
