Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur
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Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur both could lose their jobs at the end of the 2025 season
We are less than three weeks away from the Green Bay Packers hitting the clock on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Packers have seven total selections to work with. They could go multiple different ways with their first pick at No. 52 overall. Some of their top positional needs include edge rusher, cornerback, and defensive tackle.
Green Bay will likely address those needs during the early and middle rounds. When we get to the late rounds, it will look to strengthen depth at positions that have quality starters, even if those players are among the best in the league.
Running Back Named ‘Surprising Need’ for Green Bay Packers in 2026 NFL Draft
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report recently tagged each team with one surprising need to address during the draft. He chose running back for the Packers, and named these three as potential late-round options:
Noah Whittington- Oregon
Eli Heidenreich- Navy
Roman Hemby- Indiana
From Ballentine: “Josh Jacobs is still the man in Green Bay. There’s no denying that, but we saw him slow down a bit last season as he missed two games and the Packers gave some of the workload to Emanuel Wilson. Wilson took his talents to Seattle in free agency this offseason, leaving some doubt as to what the running back hierarchy will look like in Green Bay. Ideally, MarShawn Lloyd will finally get a chance to shine. However, he’s played just one game since the Packers drafted him in 2024 due to various injuries.
“Given how important age and health are at the position, the Packers might feel the need to add a dynamic talent to the backfield. Noah Whittington would be an interesting add. He’s a well-rounded prospect who can serve as a do-it-all backup. Eli Heidenreich doesn’t necessarily have a clean projection. He could wind up being a slot receiver or running back and Matt LaFleur is the kind of offensive mind that could figure out the best way to use him. Roman Hemby is a little more straightforward. He’s a one-cut runner who would excel in the Packers zone run game and take some of the burden from Jacobs.”
Examining the Current State of Packers’ RB Corps
Josh Jacobs Green Bay Packers
GettyJosh Jacobs #8 of the Green Bay Packers
Jacobs will remain Green Bay’s lead back for the foreseeable future, as he has two years remaining on the four-year, $48 million contract that he signed during the 2024 offseason. Jacobs powered through a lingering knee injury in 2025, rushing for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns in 15 games. He also recorded 36 receptions for 282 yards and one touchdown.
The Packers let Emanuel Wilson, who is now a member of the Seattle Seahawks, leave during free agency. He leaves behind a solid chunk of production to be picked up, rushing for 998 yards over the past two seasons combined. Other running backs currently on Green Bay’s roster include Chris Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd, Damien Martinez, and Pierre Strong Jr.
Brooks signed a two-year contract extension in early March, and will have a shot to be Jacobs’ primary backup. Fans have been waiting on the talented Lloyd, who was a third-round draft pick by Green Bay in 2024, to emerge, but his career has been plagued by injuries. If the Packers spend a draft pick on a running back in this year’s draft, it could signal the end for Lloyd.