The Green Bay Packers have been a major disappointment thus far in 2026. In Week 1, they blew a 12-point second-half lead against the Vikings. They then had to comeback to beat the Jets in overtime, who are expected to be one of the worst teams in the league again this season. On Thursday, they were humiliated by the Falcons who had not run a play in the red zone in their first two games this season. The Falcons crushed the Pack 35-14. The Packers have many issues to iron out, but the biggest problem thus far this season has been the offensive line. The offensive line hasn’t done a good job of run blocking or pass protecting. But is there any way the Packers can improve their struggling offensive line? The odds don’t look good.
Injuries are part of the problem. The Packers best returning lineman, Zach Bako-Bewele, is out for the season with a torn patellar tendon. He graded out as the team’s top run blocker and pass protector over each of the last two seasons. They lack a replacement who can come close to replicating the level of play a healthy Bako-Bewele can provide.
Left guard Aaron Banks has missed two of the first three games due to tendonitis in his knee. That is a chronic condition that will need to be “managed” throughout the season.
The Packers suffered another potential injury Thursday night against the Falcons. Center Sean Rhyan went for x-rays on a finger on his right hand after the game. That is his snapping hand. As mediocre as Rhyan has been, he has also been the team’s most consistent offensive lineman over the first three games.
GM Brian Gutekunst didn’t do enough to address the offensive line over the offseason. He knew about Bako-Bewele’s knee injury last season and probably about Banks’ situation. Over the offseason, the team did not sign any major free agents to address the offensive line and only added one draft pick, interior offensive lineman Jager Burton who he added in the fifth round. Burton allowed 10 pressures and five quarterback hits in his first NFL start against Atlanta.
The other linemen have also struggled mightily. Jacob Monk has started at right guard. Last year, the Packers were reluctant to play Monk in any game that mattered. Pro Football Focus said he gave up six pressures and three hits against Atlanta. He just does not appear to be a starting-caliber NFL player.
Anthony Belton took over for Bako-Bewele at right tackle against Atlanta and the results were not pretty. He also gave up six pressures and three hits. He seems too slow to handle players coming off the edge. Belton was partially responsible for the blocked field goal Thursday night along with Jonathan Ford.
The team has no proven depth along the line. Even the players that have been pressed into starting like Monk, Burton and Donovan Jennings, lack experience in the NFL. That lies on Gutekunst who failed to add more experienced depth.
LaFleur can be blamed for not having an adequate plan to deal with the current situation and the way some players were cross trained and others were not. He also hasn’t called plays that reduce the burden on his inexperienced and struggling offensive line. The team continues to emphasize trying to complete long passes downfield. Jordan Love doesn’t have the time to make those throws very often and certainly not on a consistent basis.
The coaching of offensive line coach Luke Butkus has been criticized. The linemen have not been using proper technique and just look lost on the field. They don’t seem to know their assignments either.
The offensive line also cannot open holes for the running game. The Packers rushing attack ranked last in the NFL entering Thursday’s game. The two backs that carried the ball against Atlanta gained a combined just 17 yards on eight carries.
Now, the offense is playing the opposite of complimentary football. They can’t run, which keeps the team behind the sticks and forces them into must pass situations. That allows opposing defenses to tee off on the quarterback when they know the Packers have to pass. The offense cannot sustain drives and that tires out the defense who have to be on the field for too long. Against Atlanta, the Packers lost the time of possession battle 37:05 to 22:55.
If the present rate of pressure continues, Love will be hard-pressed to stay healthy this season. The team will also continue to struggle to win football games.
Gutekunst already added Cordell Volson to the practice squad. He may have to make another addition via trade or a player not currently on an NFL roster.
The only other hope for improvement is that some of the younger players may improve as they gain experience but right now, the Packers offensive line is a real mess. If it isn’t fixed soon, this season that started with so much promise may be over before the tundra starts freezing. Sadly, there is plenty of blame to go around and not many obvious solutions on the table.
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