Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) during in the first quarter of a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The Green Bay Packers have their work cut out for them as they prepare to kick off the 2026 NFL season in Week 1 on the road against the archrival Minnesota Vikings. The Packers will start the season without their top running back and their best pass rusher.
Josh Jacobs has been placed on the commissioner's exempt list as a result of misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property charges from a May 23 disturbance at his home. His initial court appearance is Sept. 10.
The Packers will also be without All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons until Week 5 at the earliest. Parsons is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last December and the defense will have to make adjustments as that unit attempts to play compete without him.
These are two major issues for the Packers, but they are not excuses. Head coach Matt LaFleur understands that their NFC North opponents are not going to give the Packers any breaks in one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL.
The Packers have struggled in their most recent postseason performances. At the conclusion of the 2023 season, the Packers led the San Francisco 49ers by 7 points in the divisional playoffs before they failed to hold on for the victory.
The Packers have lost Wild Card games in each of the last two seasons, including a 31-27 decision to the Chicago Bears last year that saw them blow a 27-16 lead late in the fourth quarter.
As a result of these playoff defeats, the Packers have gained a reputation for choking in the playoffs. LaFleur understands this and he will have to find a way to help his team get over their early-season issues and then their tendency to give away leads in the postseason.
Look for Jordan Love to have a huge season
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur celebrates the touchdown of running back Marshawn Lloyd (32) in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Jordan Love has followed the spectacular play of predecessors Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers with three excellent seasons as the Packers starter. He knows that even more is expected of him this season since he won't have Jacobs in the backfield until he is removed from the exempt list and then serves a likely suspension.
Love completed 291 of 439 passes last year for 3,381 yards with 23 TD passes and just 6 interceptions last season. He cut the number of picks from 11 in 2024 to 6 last season, and he should be able to maintain that accuracy.
Receivers will carry the load
While the Packers won't have wide receiver Romeo Doubs this season, the Packers have a trio of game-changing pass catchers in Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden. Watson is probably the best of the bunch and he is coming off a season in which he caught 35 passes for 611 yards and 6 touchdowns. While those numbers are not overly impressive, he returned from a torn ACL and should be a dominant figure this season.
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Reed had injury issues last season and was held to 19 catches, but he led the Packers in receptions in 2023 and '24. Golden was a first-round pick a year ago and the Packers worked him into the lineup carefully. He caught 29 passes for 361 yards last year and then added 4 receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown against the Bears.
This trio of wideouts should be formidable, but what should make the Packers passing game explosive is the return of tight end Tucker Kraft. He was on his way to an All-Pro season last year when he tore his ACL in Week 9. While Kraft is looking for a new contract from the Packers, he appears to be fully recovered and should play a key role for Green Bay all season. That includes the Week 1 game against the Vikings.
Packers will struggle on the ground without Jacobs
Many observers expect Jacobs to take a plea deal when he goes to court this week. A suspension is the likely result, and it could be for six games. At that point, Jacobs could be eligible to return.
MarShawn Lloyd will get the assignment in the Green Bay backfield until Jacobs can return. Lloyd has been held to just 1 game and 6 carries for 15 yards since he was drafted in 2024. The Packers are almost certainly going to have to count on their passing attack for the bulk of their offense unless Lloyd can overcome his lack of experience or Jacobs is allowed to return to the lineup.
The Packers also have Chris Brooks in the backfield and they recently added Kaleb Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Brooks has three season of NFL experience including the last two with the Packers. He has never had more than 183 rushing yards in a season.
Johnson was drafted in the third round a year ago by the Steelers. He was limited to 28 carries for 69 yards and never gained a foothold in the Steelers organization.
It seems unlikely that Lloyd, Brooks or Johnson will have a big impact on the Green Bay running game.
However, the Packers will survive, Love will have a Pro Bowl season and Green Bay will earn a spot in the playoffs.