Why I Love The 2026-2027 Green Bay Packers

[OldSchool101]

As far as my primary likes for 26-27?

Another thing really no one is talking about. There’s a very silent but dangerous and deadly undertow happening in Green Bay. D Coaching changes. What The Bears gained in O abilities last year? GB just matched it with D ability in 2026 imo. It’s not a coincidence either.

Obviously we’ve switched Coordinators. Yet Babich as our DB coach/Pass game Coordinator, Covington as our LB’s coach. Then Daniel Bullocks was poached from the 49ers and hired as our CB coach and we all know how good the 49ers have been preventing big yards performances. He’s largely been mentored by Robert Saleh all the way back to Jacksonville. Then Demeeco Ryans mixed in more recently. From 2019-2024, the 49ers are the ONLY 1 NFL team to rank top 10 in Defense across that 6 year span.

Our D staff is now a conglomeration of the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and SF49ers staff. My hope is MLF stays the H out of their way!

GB has quietly established an All Star cast D coaching tree. Add to that Bullocks, Babich and Covington have the Queens of the chessboard. Micah Parsons, Xavier, Cooper, Franklin, Evan now entering year 3. Wyatt and Hargrave. Now McClellan added inside to compete for primary depth options. LVN can play versatile across that DL. Then good depth with Brenton Cox Jr and Barryn Sorrell coming on strong to close out 2025. We could do much worse than DDS and Colin Oliver all the way 3 deep on each side. Then several alternatives to use at CB with St Juste and Cisse added.

We also haven’t even considered that Brian set himself up. We now have the monetary ability to grab a substantial Add if needed before trade deadline.

 

[Schultz]

That’s good research. It doesn’t diminish CB’s though as a group. Of 114 CB’s on PFF that group ranks 29th in collective ranking. While that might not be DPOY it’s a very solid group of CB’s. As someone wise in here tried to allude that group got “picked on”? That’s just absurd. The only outlier CB was Forbes at 93/114. Take out the high and low on any good experiment with good sample. That’s #24/114 ranked collectively. Or the top 21% of the NFL. Doesn’t sound like a group that got “picked on”. If anything that group did the picking. That top 10 group picked off 21 passes for INT.

Once again in benefit of these debates I keep seeing St Juste in a positive light. Last year of CB’s with 40+ targets, he allowed 53.5% in pass completion. Good for #20 in the NFL of 101 (40+ targets) qualifiers.

Just because i was curious here is how that list corresponds with PFF grading:

Mike Jackson - 4th
Riley Moss - 42nd
Tyson Campbell - 29th
Emmanuel Forbes - 93rd
DJ Turner - 19th
Keisean Nixon - 41st
Quinyon Mitchell - 16th
Kool-Aid McKinstry - 25th
Kamari Lassiter - 11th
Cooper DeJean - 7th

Mixed bag I guess. I would not put a ton of stock into being a Pro Bowl player at this point, much less a Pro Bowl *alternate*. Lest we forget Shedeur Sanders ended up being the AFC's starting QB in this year's Pro Bowl and for the season he had the 5th-worst passer rating of ALL-TIME - and the worst of any Browns QB with 6+ starts (not sure which says more there, 5th-worst all-time or worst Browns QB...)

Regarding Bullard and Nixon, TBH I think Nixon tends to get a bit over-hated by Packers fans but at the same time I would have a very, very hard time watching their tape from this past season and come away with the conclusion that Nixon is the better player and/or the player with a higher ceiling

I notice there are 33 CBs that PFF ranked higher than Nixon that are not on this list of 10.

 

[OldSchool101]

I notice there are 33 CBs that PFF ranked higher than Nixon that are not on this list of 10.

I’ll take you for your word there.
I 100% agree he needs to clean up parts of his game like getting grabby and causing negative plays. If he could get into respectable 6-8 across a season that would help.

Although if someone is going to make assertions of quality and going to use PFF as evidence? We should factor that 114 CB’s eligible and the median grade would be around #57 ranked (1/2 way mark) So an average graded CB by PFF standard is give or take +- #47 to #67 or C+ to C- grade area. Thats roughly average with some wiggle.

90% of that top PD list is better than the average #47-67. Go look that’s not by chance. Nixon actually graded at #42/114. So he’s slightly better than an average CB in that respect.
Then we can look at the outlier who is Emmanuel Forbes, he logged 3 INT which was #9/114 also. Plus he logged a FF so he gave the Rams Offense the ball back 4 times. He tied for #5 in Takeaways (4) by a CB of 114 qualified. He ranked tied #9 in the league across ALL DB’s in takeaways. That includes Safeties and CB’s or over 212 players. That top 95% tile for Forbes in game changing Takeaways. Forbes also recurses a 56% QB pass completion % in 2025. I think we all know a QB with 56.6% throwing his way is putrid. So the 1 outlier (Forbes) is really not nearly as bad as his low PFF grade. It was his missed Tackle % that drug his grade down imo.

Now I’m not putting all the weight in PFF but it’s a relatively reliable metric. PFF actually list Penalties, so I’m pretty confident those are already factored into his grade. According to them Nixon is a C+/B- on a C scale.

 

[Heyjoe4]

That’s good research. It doesn’t diminish CB’s though as a group. Of 114 CB’s on PFF that group ranks 29th in collective ranking. While that might not be DPOY it’s a very solid group of CB’s. As someone wise in here tried to allude that group got “picked on”? That’s just absurd. The only outlier CB was Forbes at 93/114. Take out the high and low on any good experiment with good sample. That’s #24/114 ranked collectively. Or the top 21% of the NFL. Doesn’t sound like a group that got “picked on”. If anything that group did the picking. That top 10 group picked off 21 passes for INT.

Once again in benefit of these debates I keep seeing St Juste in a positive light. Last year of CB’s with 40+ targets, he allowed 53.5% in pass completion. Good for #20 in the NFL of 101 (40+ targets) qualifiers.

I hope a change of scenery brings out the best in St. Juste. It certainly worked when we lost Hyde and Hayward, umm, sadly for the Packers.

 

[OldSchool101]

Love what I’m reading about Coach Daniel Bullocks and Bobby Babich.

Babich is stressing Turnovers to get us off a #28 in the league ranking in that category. His philosophy is to “make plays not chase plays”. It’s about preparing and rehearsing to make INT and Forced Fumbles on each opportunity, but in a way that promotes it by rehearsing it until it’s expected and routine like. The mental aspect is a big component of success imo. You’ve got to mentally play like you’re a duo CB/WR and attack the ball like it’s yours. It’s no wonder Babich Coached units from the very top Turnover squads regularly. Let’s hope this is finally not just talk as he’s had proven success in most seasons as a DB coach or Coordinator.

Daniel Bullock, our new CB Coach, is stressing tackling. As fundamental as that sounds he’s putting emphasis on that aspect being a deciding factor for who starts at CB. That’s good news for Nixon. because he’s been a solid graded Tackler. However on the other side is Carrington Valentine and that’s not good news for him. He’s been dismal level recently at tackling and he’ll need to firmly clean that up or lose his job as a starter.

 

[CarryTheG14]

Love what I’m reading about Coach Daniel Bullocks and Bobby Babich.

Babich is stressing Turnovers to get us off a #28 in the league ranking in that category. His philosophy is to “make plays not chase plays”. It’s about preparing and rehearsing to make INT and Forced Fumbles on each opportunity, but in a way that promotes it by rehearsing it until it’s expected and routine like. The mental aspect is a big component of success imo. You’ve got to mentally play like you’re a duo CB/WR and attack the ball like it’s yours. It’s no wonder Babich Coached units from the very top Turnover squads regularly. Let’s hope this is finally not just talk as he’s had proven success in most seasons as a DB coach or Coordinator.

Daniel Bullock, our new CB Coach, is stressing tackling. As fundamental as that sounds he’s putting emphasis on that aspect being a deciding factor for who starts at CB. That’s good news for Nixon. because he’s been a solid graded Tackler. However on the other side is Carrington Valentine and that’s not good news for him. He’s been dismal level recently at tackling and he’ll need to firmly clean that up or lose his job as a starter.

Babich was a real popular name when we hired Hafley.

Daniel Bullocks... Nebraska? Going to check now..

I was right,. 2006. Mingya, I'm getting old.

 

[OldSchool101]

As I’ve and others have mentioned, Much will be determine by our OL play. Yet let’s also remember that during the last several seasons the Packers were young. Real young. As in youngest in the league for several years running.

This season things are evening out in age. GB is no longer the youngest team now, so the youth from a few seasons ago are now going in as seasoned Veterans.

Now Gb has a plethora of players entering what is normally a peak period with the bulk of athletes.
Love =7th year (4th as Starter)
Banks =6th year (2nd with GB)
Morgan =3rd year (2nd as Starter)
Rhyan =5th year (3rd as Starter)
Belton =2nd year
Tom =5th year
Kraft =4th year
Musgrave =4th year
Reed =4th year
Jacobs =8th year
Sky Moore =5th year
Christian Watson =5th Year

 

[milani]

As I’ve and others have mentioned, Much will be determine by our OL play. Yet let’s also remember that during the last several seasons the Packers were young. Real young. As in youngest in the league for several years running.

This season things are evening out in age. GB is no longer the youngest team now, so the youth from a few seasons ago are now going in as seasoned Veterans.

Now Gb has a plethora of players entering what is normally a peak period with the bulk of athletes.
Love =7th year (4th as Starter)
Banks =6th year (2nd with GB)
Morgan =3rd year (2nd as Starter)
Rhyan =5th year (3rd as Starter)
Belton =2nd year
Tom =5th year
Kraft =4th year
Musgrave =4th year
Reed =4th year
Jacobs =8th year
Sky Moore =5th year
Christian Watson =5th Year

Seasoned veterans.

 

[OldSchool101]

Last year the trade off had to be Kenny to attain Parsons. For myself, Hargrave is that similar inside strength to Clark and in the last 4 full season Javon actually outperformed Kenny in QB pressures, TFL And Sacks. What’s more impressive is Javon did it in over 450 LESS snaps. While not all performance data metrics show up perfectly, he does show to have the upper hand over Clark in pure disruption. Obviously it can depend on how a player gets used and his good the players are next to him also.

If Wyatt is back early season? Wyatt + Hargrave are = or > greater than Wyatt + Clark in 2024. Yet GB didn’t have Parson at all and still performed very good. I think the GB D added enough D options over 2024.
Parsons + Lukas is clearly better than Gary + Preston (2024 version).

Hargrave + Wyatt > Kenny + TJ Slaton

we also only had 6 games of J’aire in 2024 and Eric Stokes’ play was very uninspiring. If we start the best 2 of Valentine, Nixon, Cisse and St Juste, this should be a slight tick up in quality of depth at CB at minimum. That’s if zero players in that group
improve.

The LB group losing Eric Wilson in 2025 was probably our biggest loss. That and Kingsley leaving in 2026.
I do think JJ role will get overshadowed by DDS though.

 

[CarryTheG14]

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LOL, the fall is going to be hilarious

 

[OldSchool101]

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LOL, the fall is going to be hilarious

A big story line in Chicago this 2026 season is going to be at Center and Left Tackle. Those positions have a real potential of backing up some in 2026. The chances are the Bears OL will have a slight tick backwards towards destabilizing in 2026.
Generally speaking, QB’s won’t thrive when the OL has several positions decided by newer competition. Losing Trapillo to close the season was not a favorable situation. He graded easily into the top 1/2 of the league and those LT are not easy to replace and even harder when your Cap is spent already.

Chicago also has a Rookie (Bradbury) competing as their starter. That’s NOT an ideal scenario for them after such a strong 2025 grouping. It’ll be very difficult to strike Gold 2X imo.
Guys like Hargrave or Wyatt by means of Gannon are going to apply pressure early and often in the middle. The Packers bolstering the middle of their Defense will 100% test Chicagos lack of experience at 2 Offensive Line positions.

 

[CarryTheG14]

A big story line in Chicago this 2026 season is going to be at Center and Left Tackle. Those positions have a real potential of backing up some in 2026. The chances are the Bears OL will have a slight tick backwards towards destabilizing in 2026.
Generally speaking, QB’s won’t thrive when the OL has several positions decided by newer competition. Losing Trapillo to close the season was not a favorable situation. He graded easily into the top 1/2 of the league and those LT are not easy to replace and even harder when your Cap is spent already.

Chicago also has a Rookie (Bradbury) competing as their starter. That’s NOT an ideal scenario for them after such a strong 2025 grouping. It’ll be very difficult to strike Gold 2X imo.
Guys like Hargrave or Wyatt by means of Gannon are going to apply pressure early and often in the middle. The Packers bolstering the middle of their Defense will 100% test Chicagos lack of experience at 2 Offensive Line positions.

I think there are a lot of causes for concern for Chicago.

The line for sure. Thuney is 33 years old too.

Caleb Williams took a baby step. The only difference was he made a lot of low % incredible throws in big moments.

The TO amount and differential will both decrease.

They STILL can't rush the passer.

I was praying for their O/U win line to be 10.5 . I would have bought it to 11.5 and been happy

 

[milani]

I think there are a lot of causes for concern for Chicago.

The line for sure. Thuney is 33 years old too.

Caleb Williams took a baby step. The only difference was he made a lot of low % incredible throws in big moments.

The TO amount and differential will both decrease.

They STILL can't rush the passer.

I was praying for their O/U win line to be 10.5 . I would have bought it to 11.5 and been happy

Do not jump the gun. The Bears far exceeded expectations in 2025. To assume they cannot repeat that performance is presumptuous. The big cloud hanging over the Monsters of the Midway is where that Midway will be.

 

[OldSchool101]

Do not jump the gun. The Bears far exceeded expectations in 2025. To assume they cannot repeat that performance is presumptuous. The big cloud hanging over the Monsters of the Midway is where that Midway will be.

What I saw was a team that loaded up in FA in 2024. They look similar to the 2019-2020 season Green Bay did when Brian got aggressive bringing in Preston, Turner, Amos and ZaDarius. It’s going to price some juice.

I’m not trying to be mean but Chicago really benefited from the Lions snd Vikings stumbling after some tough losses. Darnold and Ben Johnson and Co were gone and it was too much to overcome too soon. Both are well managed teams though and always going to cause problems. Just not their 2024 versions which was kinda crazy level.

Meanwhile GB just juiced their Defense and that’s not good news for Chicago as they attempt to fix their OL losses. They lost 2 OL Starters and that’s not easy to replicate.

One big ? Is Josh Jacobs. He’s a really important aspect to our success. Lloyd HAS to play this year. If not the Packers could find themselves in some trouble Offensively. Although id fully expect Brian to be looking for a substantial RB by deadline or before through a trade. Possibly sooner.
We have the resources to go get someone substantial. Hopefully that won’t be necessary.

 

[OldSchool101]

I seriously believe GB will take a small step forward if not decimated by injuries again. I see Chicago as similar strength, but I don’t see any major adds that have me shaking. GB limped into Soldier and pushed Chicago around for 3.5 Qtrs. What’s Chicago done? filled holes from losing Veterans, such as their entire Safety room 3 deep are all gone. Relying on Rookies is not wise imo. Plus unfortunately they took hits at Center and LT. That’s really their strength and they did little to make me believe they will be “better”. Similar? Maybe. I see a tick back from a Top 5 OL to a Top 10 OL only because their Guard tandem is so solid. Plus a good RT. Chicago is literally praying Micah misses game #1. I would be he’d be a nightmare if Hargrave and Wyatt are inside and him and Luke are on the Edges. Those guys have speed and our starting LB’s are very fast and we have a very solid Safety tandem.

GB has quietly become a speed merchant. Plus GB has better depth almost across the board. Including Teams. The only real ? Is RB but if Josh plays and Lloyd plays we’re actually improved. I just think GB quietly and systematically improved their coaching and Roster.

 

[OldSchool101]

In 2025, Reed and Watson Combined to form a regular 17 game season of highlights. It was like missing 1 of them for an entire year.

Now in 2026, is having our leading WR (Reed) from 2023,2024 AND Watson to start the season is substantial. Both have enough proven sample size to be bonafide 1,000 yard level athletes, it’s more about staying healthy.
What’s more amazing is that Kraft and Watson never finished a game together the entire last season. So to have a Star TE + a Deep threat WR working in unison is intriguing. Yet to have the potential of having all 3 players for 2026 is a story that’s seemingly been hidden. It’s almost to a point that opponents better hope that Golden AND Savion Williams both struggle. If either one or the other take off this season? GB could have the best lineup of Pass catching options since Gregg Jennings was suited up in GB. Even the GB depth is substantial with Skyy Moore way down our depth chart. While he was curiously used sparingly in KC, when he was used he played well. My hunch is his 3 Fumbles in his Rookie season didn’t help Skyy any. He muffed 3 kicks and 1 directly led to a quick score.

 

[CarryTheG14]

Do not jump the gun. The Bears far exceeded expectations in 2025. To assume they cannot repeat that performance is presumptuous. The big cloud hanging over the Monsters of the Midway is where that Midway will be.

Chicago's WC is Caleb Williams. LOVED him as a prospect. Going into year 3, let's see what you got.

However, their profile isn't one to be replicated. The TO amount and differential is not sustainable. Caleb Williams is not going to make all those low % high leverage throws. They went 8-4 in less than a TD games. Highly, highly volatile.

If there's a team in The North I am counting on a bounceback, it's Minnesota.

 

[CarryTheG14]

I seriously believe GB will take a small step forward if not decimated by injuries again. I see Chicago as similar strength, but I don’t see any major adds that have me shaking. GB limped into Soldier and pushed Chicago around for 3.5 Qtrs. What’s Chicago done? filled holes from losing Veterans, such as their entire Safety room 3 deep are all gone. Relying on Rookies is not wise imo. Plus unfortunately they took hits at Center and LT. That’s really their strength and they did little to make me believe they will be “better”. Similar? Maybe. I see a tick back from a Top 5 OL to a Top 10 OL only because their Guard tandem is so solid. Plus a good RT. Chicago is literally praying Micah misses game #1. I would be he’d be a nightmare if Hargrave and Wyatt are inside and him and Luke are on the Edges. Those guys have speed and our starting LB’s are very fast and we have a very solid Safety tandem.

GB has quietly become a speed merchant. Plus GB has better depth almost across the board. Including Teams. The only real ? Is RB but if Josh plays and Lloyd plays we’re actually improved. I just think GB quietly and systematically improved their coaching and Roster.

I think a healthy team alone would be a ginormous step forward.

Watson and Reed missed a half year each about
Kraft was out a half year
Tom missed a lot and was hampered for most of it
Michah missed the final quarter
Wyatt missed close to a half
LVN missed a half

Jacobs and Banks were banged up most of the year.

Injuries are going to happen, but if they're not from our significant players and aren't as lingering , that's a HUGE step in itself.


I'm fairly confident in saying that

Jordan Morgan is going to be better than Rasheed Walker
Van Ness is going to be better than Rashaan Gary
Javon Hargrave will be worlds better than Wooden

Now it's, how do you feel about

St. Juste and Sissay

Matthew Golden-
Barren Sorrell
Anthony Belton

Year 3 of
Edgerrin Cooper
Javon Bullard
Evan Williams
Marshawn Lloyd

The bolded I think are primed for stardom.

If Marshawn Lloyd is healthy, he adds a dimension to the offense that hasn't been in GB since Aaron Jones was in his prime. A HR hitting RB.

Barren Sorrell will be better than Rashaan Gary of last year.

I'm worried about Belton, but at least we put a end to this Tackle garbage.

This team is going to be very very good if they're healthy.

What I'm worried about the most?

Special Teams- forever, and always.

Matt LaFleur getting in his own way, again.

The CBs still not being up to par.

The interior of the O-line.

Josh Jacobs and the running game

 

[OldSchool101]

I think a healthy team alone would be a ginormous step forward.

Watson and Reed missed a half year each about
Kraft was out a half year
Tom missed a lot and was hampered for most of it
Michah missed the final quarter
Wyatt missed close to a half
LVN missed a half

Jacobs and Banks were banged up most of the year.

Injuries are going to happen, but if they're not from our significant players and aren't as lingering , that's a HUGE step in itself.


I'm fairly confident in saying that

Jordan Morgan is going to be better than Rasheed Walker
Van Ness is going to be better than Rashaan Gary
Javon Hargrave will be worlds better than Wooden

Now it's, how do you feel about

St. Juste and Sissay

Matthew Golden-
Barren Sorrell
Anthony Belton

Year 3 of
Edgerrin Cooper
Javon Bullard
Evan Williams
Marshawn Lloyd

The bolded I think are primed for stardom.

If Marshawn Lloyd is healthy, he adds a dimension to the offense that hasn't been in GB since Aaron Jones was in his prime. A HR hitting RB.

Barren Sorrell will be better than Rashaan Gary of last year.

I'm worried about Belton, but at least we put a end to this Tackle garbage.

This team is going to be very very good if they're healthy.

What I'm worried about the most?

Special Teams- forever, and always.

Matt LaFleur getting in his own way, again.

The CBs still not being up to par.

The interior of the O-line.

Josh Jacobs and the running game

Sure. Obviously I think we’re both aware some players will remain stagnant or possibly net some regression or could even exit with injury etc. That said I think the bulk of position groups have lots of room for improvement off 2025.

I also like our D won’t be so predictable down the last half of season. Jeff was good in his 1st year but his 1 weakness was adapting and he’ll get better at that with more experience. Gannon has more experience on his staff and better depth at several position groups. I see better Depth at CB, DT, WR.
WR now that Watson is back. Plus Savion and Golden are in year 2 where players begin to feel more comfortable in their role and playbook tendencies.

 

[OldSchool101]

Speed added at CB. Keisean and Valentine ran a 4.42 and 4.44 sec
40-yard times coming into the NFL.

Cisse and Jackson both ran great 4.41 X 4.41 40-times. Plus both have good size at 5’11.5- 6‘.05” 190-195lbs.

Both Cisse and Jackson are substantial against the Run. Domani specifically looked to me like Bullard in his college film. He’s got an aggressive, tough play style. It’s no coincidence we took a pair of Defenders that excelled in Run stop.