Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (32) participates in drills during the third day of training camp on July 25,
Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (32) participates in drills during the third day of training camp on July 25, 2025, at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The Green Bay Packers have no shortage of questions marks on offense going into Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, and more specifically with running backs MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks, and wide receiver Matthew Golden.
At running back, the Packers won’t have Josh Jacobs for at least this week as he awaits the NFL’s ruling on a punishment after he got into legal trouble this offseason.
That leaves an uncertain situation in Green Bay’s backfield with Brooks and Lloyd.
Meanwhile, at wide receiver, the Packers are hoping their 2025 first-round pick, Golden, can take that next step in his career after his dismal rookie campaign.
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With all that said, let’s find out if any of these players should be in your fantasy football lineup to start the season.
MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks start or sit advice
NFL: Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos
Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks (30) warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
With Josh Jacobs out for the foreseeable future, the Packers’ running backs situation is one of, if not the, hardest situations to figure out in Week 1.
Lloyd and Brooks are slated to be the top-two backs on Sunday, with Kaleb Johnson serving as the RB3, but there’s simply no telling who is going to get more work between the former two.
Lloyd figures to have the edge because he’s a 2024 third-round pick, but Brooks brings the experience that Lloyd doesn’t have after he has barely played during his career because of injury.
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Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich estimated it would be a committee approach early on, but he also stated the Packers want to get Lloyd the ball.
“I think, as we go, it’s going to be running back by committee for a little while, just to kind of see where everyone’s at. So I’m not going to say, X amount of touches or anything like that, but we definitely want to get (Lloyd) the ball. He does have explosive ability and playmaking ability,” Stenavich said.
What we do know is Lloyd brings more upside as a runner, which could lead to more early-down work, but Brooks is the superior pass protector and that could have him dominating third-down and obvious passing snaps.
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Take this for what it’s worth, but the Vikings were not great against the run last season, with Minnesota sporting the 12th-worst run defense in the NFL.
Our best guess is Lloyd leads this backfield by a small margin, but we would not bet on that. You’re best off just waiting to see how this unfolds in Week 1.
Verdict: Sit Lloyd and Brooks
Matthew Golden start or sit advice
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden will be the guest on the season premiere of Clubhouse Live, our weekly Packers
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Golden is coming off a disappointing season in which he posted just 361 receiving yards and zero touchdowns, which made him irrelevant in re-draft leagues.
By all accounts, Golden looks primed to take a step forward in his second year, but his upside might be limited with the Packers having a ton of mouths to feed with Jayden Reed, Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft all back.
For that reason, we’re keeping Golden on the bench until he emerges as a clear-cut factor in Green Bay’s passing attack.
Verdict: Sit