The Green Bay Packers are among the most consistent teams in the NFC, having made the playoffs in six of the last seven seasons. That is no guarantee of anything for the upcoming season, especially because the Packers play in one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL. The archrival Chicago Bears woke from years of hibernation to win the NFC North title a year ago and they are likely to pick up where they left off.
The Detroit Lions were favored to win the division a year ago, but a poor second half derailed them. Head coach Dan Campbell is likely to have the Lions back on track. If Kevin O’Connell has the right quarterback in Kyler Murray, the Vikings could become a playoff threat this year.
As a result, head coach Matt LaFleur has much to be concerned about this year. The Packers have to be worried about the first half of the season because they are unlikely to have Micah Parsons back in the lineup until late October or early November. If they can survive the first two months of the season — and that is the easier half of their schedule — the Packers should be a playoff contender and perhaps the division champions.
Here’s how their positions grade out heading into training camp:
Quarterback
There is little doubt that Jordan Love has moved into the top 10 of quarterbacks in the NFL. He is coming off his best season as a starter, and there’s every reason to believe that his climb will continue in his age 27 season.
Love is a physically gifted athlete who has a strong arm, a quick release and an accurate delivery. He completed 291 of 439 passes last season for 3,381 yards with a 23-6 touchdown to interception ratio. LaFleur has to be most impressed with the way Love avoided interceptions. His play inspires confidence and he has a full understanding of what it takes to lead the team
He may never be in the class of predecessors Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, but he can be an elite quarterback who leads his team to another winning season.
The one area that could be an issue is at the backup QB position. Malik Willis is gone as he has moved on to the Miami Dolphins, and the Packers have signed Tyrod Taylor to take over as the No. 2 signal caller. This appears to be something of a downturn for Green Bay.
Grade: 8.5
Running backs
Josh Jacobs is a dangerous running back who can take some of the heat off of Love. He was limited last year by a knee injury in the second half of the season and he failed to gain 1,000 yards. He was close to that total with 929 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He is also powerful in short-yardage situations.
While the Packers are counting on Jacobs to be healthy this season, he may not be able to concentrate on overpowering tacklers and getting into the end zone. Jacobs was arrested in Wisconsin on multiple domestic violence charges in the offseason. Jacobs has vehemently denied the allegations and the District Attorney has not filed formal charges, but the investigation remains open.
Backup Chris Brooks is an asset on third-down plays
Grade: 7
Receivers
This position could be the team’s greatest strength. The Packers should have three top-notch receivers in Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden. Watson is the best of the bunch and he made a strong recovery last year from a torn ACL. Both Reed and Golden have explosive speed and Watson is not slow. However, he is the biggest receiver of the bunch at 6-4 and 210 pounds, and the Packers need him to make the tough catches when coverage is tight.
Tucker Kraft is the team’s X-factor at tight end. He was having an All-Pro season last year before he tore his ACL in Week 9. If he is back in top form, the Packers will have one of the best passing offenses in the NFL.
Grade: 8.5
Offensive line
The Green Bay offensive line was a major disappointment last year and that group will have to step up in 2026. OLT Jordan Morgan is just average and right tackle Zach Tom has not distinguished himself either.
The interior offensive line features Aaron Banks at left guard, Anthony Belton at right guard and Sean Rhyan in the middle. Banks may be the most talented of the group, but he was a disappointment last year after coming over from the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent.
Grade: 5.5
Defensive line
The Packers need their defensive line to step up and perform at a dominant level until Parsons returns from his ACL tear. Devote Wyatt had a remarkable year that included 14.5 sacks until he suffered an ankle injury.
Former Viking Javon Hargrave is a two-time Pro Bowler. He had an excellent season in 2025 for Minnesota and he should be a solid fit at defensive end. Rookie DT Chris McClellan will have a chance to start.
Grade: 7.5
Linebackers
Parsons was one of the top three defensive players in the league through the first 13 games of the season. He had 12.5 sacks and a remarkable 60 QB pressures. The Packers are hoping he will be close to top form when he returns. LB Edgerin Cooper is an excellent athlete who registered 117 tackles last season.
Zaire Franklin has been a star with the Indianapolis Colts and the Packers are counting on him stepping in for Quay Walker, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. OLB Lukas Van Ness looks the part of a game-changing player, but he has failed to live up to that role through his first three seasons.
Grade: 7
Secondary
The Packers know they have a pair of excellent safeties in Evan Williams and Xavier McKinney. That duo is as good as any in the league.
The CB play can be questionable. Keisean Nixon had a career-best 17 passes defensed, but he gives up too many big plays. Second-round selection Brandon Cisse could move into the starting lineup because he has eye-catching athleticism, but he did not display great ball skills at South Carolina.
Grade: 6.5
Special teams
The Packers were unhappy with their kicking game last year as Brandon McManus ranked 24th in the league in FG accuracy. That 80 percent figure was not good enough to bring him back and the Packers released him in May. Green Bay used its sixth-round draft pick to select PK Trey Smack of Florida. Smack has a huge leg and should be a big improvement.
There were no complaints about punter Daniel Whelan who led the NFL with a 51.7-yard gross average. The Packers added Skyy Moore to upgrade the team’s brutal return game. He has excellent speed and instincts.
Grade: 7.5
The Green Bay Packers are among the most consistent teams in the NFC, having made the playoffs in six of the last seven seasons. That is no guarantee of anything for the upcoming season, especially because the Packers play in one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL.