Cheeseheads, we made it. The long season of questions, lists, arguments, and hot takes is over. The Green Bay Packers will play their first game of the 2026-2027 in Minnesota this Sunday. With the game less than a week away, here are the final questions that will be answered in week 1’s Packers – Vikings game.
1. Will the newly formed offensive line work?
Of all football cliches, “football is won in the trenches” is one of the most easily provable. Just look at the spending that NFL general managers on their offensive and defensive lines, and you will see the money a good lineman can make.
The Packers offensive line was a big part of the 5 game losing streak that ended last season. Of the 5 starting offensive linemen, only Rasheed Walker and Aaron Banks were playing in their position by the end of the season. Injuries ended the seasons of Elgton Jenkins and Zach Bako-Bewele and took Banks out of a number of games.
Their replacements had mixed results, with Anthony Belton and Jordan Morgan being generally disappointing at guard, but Sean Rhyan played well enough to earn a contract extension. Additionally, Rasheed Walker took a significant step back in his performance at left tackle.
This year, Morgan is returning to his college position at left tackle, Bako-Bewele should be ready for week 1, and Rhyan is showing upside as the starting center. The guard position is a question mark, with Banks again being injured and the right guard position being a 3 player competition between Anthony Belton, Jacob Monk, and rookie Jager Burton.
The new crew won’t have an easy time against Brian Flores’ blitz-heavy defense. Since becoming the Vikings defensive coordinator in 2023, the Vikings have had the highest blitz average at 44%, 10% more than the next highest team. It’s been effective, as they have the 6th highest number of total pressures and pressure percentage over the same time span.
Pressure on the quarterback can ruin an offense’s gameplan quickly. If the Packers – Vikings game ends in a victory for Green Bay, the offensive line will have given Jordan Love enough time to make plays.
2. What will the 2026 Packers offense look like?
The Packers have had major changes to their offensive playmakers over the offseason. The receiving corps has shrunk, and Josh Jacobs is currently unavailable after being placed on the Commissioner’s exempt list.
While the Jacobs situation certainly happened against the wishes of the Packers, the receiving corps change was intentional. Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion wicks parted ways with Green Bay for New England and Philadelphia respectively.
The remaining pass catchers have exciting upside along with injury history. Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Matthew Golden all missed games injured last season and Tucker Kraft is returning from an ACL tear.
Health is also a concern for the next running back up in Marshawn Lloyd. He has only appeared in one game since being drafted in 2024, and has spent the rest of his early career injured. Even with a healthy offseason so far, need at running back likely pushed the Packers to trade for Pittsburgh’s Kaleb Johnson.
Given all of the change of offensive playmakers, Matt Lafleur’s offense could look much different from 2025. Whatever change happens, it will need to be effective to win against a stingy defense for the Packers – Vikings season opener.
3. Can the Packers get any pass rush without Micah Parsons?
From the time when Micah Parsons tore his ACL against the Broncos in December until they played again in the preseason in August, the Green Bay Packers did not win a single football game. While other factors contributed to the end of the season slide, his absence was a major factor.
Parsons will begin the season on the PUP list, meaning that his earliest possible return is week 5. The question in the meantime, or if it takes time for Parsons to get back to speed, is how will the Packers’ pass rush perform?
The Vikings offense is currently a question that will be determined by their new starting quarterback, Kyler Murray. While Kevin O’Connell wasn’t able to make the offense work with J.J. McCarthy, but won 14 games with another first round castoff in Sam Darnold in 2024. With many players remaining from that offense, the Packers – Vikings game could feature two very powerful teams.
As stated for the Packers offensive line, an effective pass rush can quickly send any offense scambling. The Packers will have to rely on Lukas Van Ness, Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave, and Barryn Sorrell to keep Murray running. Van Ness has not yet proven his first round pedigree, Wyatt is returning from injury, Hargrave is likely past his athletic prime, and Sorrell is starting his second year after having very limited snaps as a rookie.
Every team has questions as they wait on the eve of a new football season. The Packers have questions at positions that could sink their season before it can get going. A strong performance in week 1 could be the sign that Green Bay is ready to be a serious competitor to bring another title to Titletown.
