The Green Bay Packers believe they can contend for a Super Bowl in 2026. The team looked like contenders in 2025 before injuries to key players helped derail the season. By the time the playoffs rolled around, the team was without their best defensive player in Micah Parsons, their best pass catching weapon in Tucker Kraft, their best offensive lineman in Zach Tom and their best interior pass rusher in Devonte Wyatt. But even if all those players are healthy in 2026 and return to form, the Packers must improve in this key area to contend in next season and beyond.
The Packers need to improve their run blocking. The team’s performance in that area noticeably declined in 2025 as compared to the previous season. In 2024, the Packers finished 5th in the league in rushing yards per game with 146.8, and 6th in average yards per carry with 4.7. In 2025, the team fell to 15th in rushing yards per game with 119.8 and 24th in yards per carry with 4.1.
The Packers offense returned the same three running backs in 2025 that they had the previous season. Josh Jacobs remained the starter and received the bulk of the carries. Emanuel Wilson was the change of pace back with Chris Brooks serving as the best pass protector of the three.
Despite having an identical cast at running back, the production fell off. The biggest reason: poor run blocking in front of these backs. Advanced stats showed the Jacobs still was making yards after contact in 2025 similarly to how he did in 2024, but the contact was happening sooner, frequently even behind or near the line of scrimmage.
Remember also that Jordan Love played through injuries in 2024 that limited his ability to evade the rush and made the Packers more of a run first team. Opposing teams knew the Packers would run early and often but they still couldn’t stop it.
The ironic thing is that Packers GM Brian Gutekunst tried to address the offensive line and how they block for the run last offseason. The team shuffled it’s offensive line and specifically tried to get bigger and more physical to improve their run blocking.
The Packers opted not to re-sign center Josh Myers who left as a free agent after four mediocre seasons in Green Bay. The Packers decided to move Elgton Jenkins from left guard to center, a position he played in college. Gutekunst expressed confidence that Jenkins could be an All-Pro center, but that never happened. Jenkins struggled when playing in the middle of the offensive line and admitted he was disappointed with his play. He missed the second half of the season due to injury. When Jenkins was lost for the season, Rhyan took over as the starting center.
The Packers also signed guard Aaron Banks as a free agent last offseason. At 6’5” and 325 pounds, Banks had a reputation as a big, strong mauler. His run blocking was expected to be an improvement for the line and Jenkins was expected to be a better run blocker than Myers. Unfortunately, Banks’ season was limited by injuries and inconsistent play. He improved later in the season when he got a little healthier, but his overall play was a disappointment.
Sean Rhyan emerged as the starting right guard after training camp. He was considered a better run blocker than pass protector. The UCLA alum was also considered strong, and he brought grit and attitude to the offensive line. But by midseason, the Packers were looking to replace him, first with Jordan Morgan and then with Anthony Belton.
The tackles also struggled this season. Left tackle Rasheed Walker didn’t live up to his past standards in his contract year. His run blocking was particularly suspect. Right tackle Zach Tom, who has graded out as the team’s best offensive lineman in each of the last three seasons according to Pro Football Focus, struggled with injuries that hampered his play for most of the year.
The offensive line will face more uncertainty this offseason. Walker and Rhyan are unrestricted free agents and may not be back. Jenkins carries a high cap hit and will not return to the team unless his deal is restructured. That means up to three starters could be different next season.
Contending football teams run the football effectively especially to finish off opponents. The Packers struggled to do that in 2025. It’s one of several reasons they struggled to finish games when they had leads. If they hope to improve on last year’s 9-7-1 record and string some playoff wins together, the offensive line has to run block better next season. It will be interesting to see how Gutekunst approaches this position over the offseason.