Well, we officially find ourselves in the deep recesses of the NFL offseason. The options of what we can talk about with the Green Bay Packers are dwindling before our eyes. This is the time of year where a ton of NFL writers and pontificators start pulling out the always trusted rankings and lists. This is also the time of year where those lists try and say some pretty shocking stuff just to drive traffic.
I mean, fifteen, Chris Simms’ really? These types of rankings are only done to fill the void of any true NFL news and should only be taken with a grain of salt. Around this time of year last year, we had Ben Solak proclaim that he didn’t believe the Packers would make the playoffs in 2025. That didn’t prove to be true. So, it’s important to be careful of what you take in during the early summer portion of the NFL off-season.
But analyzing the team and where the Packers currently stand is a worthwhile endeavor. So, over the next couple of weeks, let’s do that. Let’s focus on the possible concerns that face the Packers heading into the 2026 NFL season.
Possible Concerns For the Packers
5. The New Running Back Problem
Even prior to the Josh Jacobs news that came out this past week, I already viewed the running back position as being a possible need for the team going future. Now, it just shot up the boards of actual need for the team going forward. There is a lot to still be decided with regards to Josh Jacobs and much of that is on the legal side at this point in time. I don’t want to speculate much further than that. I will say that the accusations toward Jacobs are serious and should reflect as much.
On the football side of things, this does put the Packers in a precarious position with their running backs. If Jacobs can’t go then it’s the Chris Brooks and Marshawn Lloyd show. And Lloyd hasn’t been healthy since he arrived. This all could spell disaster for the team even before mandatory minicamp even takes place.
4. Players Returning From Injuries
Green Bay ended last season missing some of their best players due to injury. Micah Parsons, Tucker Kraft, and DeVonte Wyatt all went down toward the end of last season. Tucker Kraft and Wyatt should be back sometime during training camp but Micah Parson will likely start on PUP (physically unable to perform). If any of these guys have a setback of any kind, it could spell disaster before the season even begins.
Developmental Concerns For the Packers
3. Offensive Line Shortcomings?
The Packers offensive line wasn’t the best last season. Some players showed some regression while others found themselves injured. Jordan Love found himself on the run too often, and even injured at one point due to the failings of the o-line.
The presumed starting lineup features a lot of young players that absolutely need to grow for this team to take the next step. If they do not, then the Packers will likely regress over all as a team. Jordan Morgan will go into training camp receiving starting reps at left tackle after playing all over the place over the past couple of seasons. Aaron Banks will likely hold down the left guard position in which he did not live up to his contract last season, however, he was playing injured and as he healed, did play better.
Sean Rhyan took over the center position once Elgton Jenkins was placed on IR and honestly looked better than Jenkins. Rhyan started out pretty shaky at first, but improved as the year went on. Anthony Belton, a lot like Morgan, was used in all of the wrong places, but as he took over the right guard spot later on in the season, he really started to blossom.
Finally, Zach Tom will, hopefully, come back from his injury plagued season and look like his pro-bowl caliber self. If these don’t happen, look out, Jordan Love.
2. Young Wide Receivers Don’t Perform
The Packers must feel pretty confident in their receiving room to have let Romeo Doubs walk and for them to trade Dontayvion Wicks to the Eagles. That now just leaves Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, and Savion Williams as their top four receivers.
If these young guys don’t develop, then Love may not have many weapons to throw to. Which could cause all kinds of problems. This could be even truer if Watson finds himself injured again and if Tucker Kraft doesn’t come back fully healed from his ACL injury.
Final Packers Concern?
1. Jordan Love
Finally, Jordan Love is the straw that stirs the drink. If all of these offseason pundits are right and Love is just a mid-tier quarterback at best, then the season is already sunk. The only way for a team to get over the hump is through elite quarterback play. And I, biasedly, believe that Love is an elite quarterback. If I’m wrong, then the Packers might have to start over at that position sooner than they would have hoped.
Which of course, would spell doom for the next few years. Let’s hope I’m right and not the offseason pundits saying junk for clicks.
But regardless, and always.
Go Pack Go!
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Damon is a diehard, fully-immersed cheesehead who currently lives in southern Missouri. He teaches at a local high school and has a family YouTube channel about all things Packers. You can follow him on twitter at @packersfamily and on YouTube at The Packers Family.
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