Why I Love The 2026-2027 Green Bay Packers

[milani]

For about 54-56 minutes, it was a completely one-sided game in GB's favor. The speed of the collapse makes it that much harder to accept.

The foreboding hit me when we made that late interception and Peppers is telling our guy to go down. Should have had a better understanding of time and distance. Return the INT. Get whatever yards you can. Add insult to injury. But do not act like the game is over.

 

[Heyjoe4]

The foreboding hit me when we made that late interception and Peppers is telling our guy to go down. Should have had a better understanding of time and distance. Return the INT. Get whatever yards you can. Add insult to injury. But do not act like the game is over.

If there was a turning point in that game, that was it. I forget who made the pick, but recall there was room to run when he slid. Big mistake. Play to win, play 60 minutes.

 

[shockerx]

My recall says Burnett, he had room to run too.

 

[milani]

If there was a turning point in that game, that was it. I forget who made the pick, but recall there was room to run when he slid. Big mistake. Play to win, play 60 minutes.

The pick, if returned, could have at least got us on the edge of FG range. Crosby made a 50 yarder later and even if we punted it could have put the Seahawks inside their 10.

 

[OldSchool101]

For me, This season will largely hinge on our ability to get the OL healthy and playing uniform. It felt disjointed last season. It started with LG Banks trying to play through an injury and then Elgton going out and Tom struggling to stay on the field. Rasheed is an OK ish LT, but where he’s not good is on an island, when his Guard and Center is struggling. Having a just purely more physically talented LT in itself will help. Yet if Banks starts 2026 like he finished 2025? That side is going to be shored up.
Sean got thrown to the wolves and every opponent knew it. They literally picked on Sean for weeks and weeks and it displayed in his near last PFF pass Pass protect ranking. Sean had a Rookie RG and an oft injured LG on either side. Point being is one positional demise affects both sides. The Bookends and Center HAVE to be solid or opponents will exploit the weak side and if I can spot a deficiency? I’m quite sure a DC will.

I watched an interview film review several years with Sitton emphasizing the importance of a Center using a concept called “splitting the Defense”. Without a properly talented and experienced Center the OL can never fully peak. Sean made Josh Myers look good. Good thing is in 2026, Sean gets all the reps all through. I predict that our OL will go as Sean Go’s. That is going to silently be one of the biggest factors of the 2026 season. The nucleus of our O is actually the Center and if we had Corey imo we’d be exponentially better. If Rhyan makes a jump we’ll notice a distinct improvement. Love’s efficiency without duress is Elite, like best in class Elite. He can’t perform when the Center collapses, he’s not Caleb level scrappy to overcome that. Even Caleb had a high grade Center in 2025, too bad for Chicago their Probowl Center surprisingly retired.

 

[Heyjoe4]

My recall says Burnett, he had room to run too.

Yes thanks it was Burnett. And as I recall, he had at least 10 more yards he could have picked up. I think that post-pic was 3 and out, or a missed FG. Not sure. I am sure it was waaaaay too early to be sliding.

I think Seattle had a 2% chance of winning at that point with something like 4-6 minutes left. Heartbreaking.

 

[Heyjoe4]

The pick, if returned, could have at least got us on the edge of FG range. Crosby made a 50 yarder later and even if we punted it could have put the Seahawks inside their 10.

Good memory. As I recall, the Packers went 3 and out after the pic. MM had morphed into full "play not to lose" mode.

 

[OldSchool101]

The second aspect I think is going to define our season is at DL. That follows suit to the old adage that games are won or lost in the trenches. Because there is where momentum starts or stops.

I see GB as having a change of collateral. We moved from investment at Edge (losing Gary and Enagbare) to investing more broadly across DL. We’re taking a small gamble on Lukas and Cox jr and Sorrell lifting their play level or staying healthy. In exchange we signed MCClellen from RD3 and Hargrave from FA. Either would help but with Both we now have adequate depth and either are good enough to get early playing time.

Then Dennis Sutton is no slouch against the Run and he was a consensus RD3 prospect. IMO we drafted 2 Stout Day 2 Run Stopper + Hargraves in FA. Plus on the backside held our own with Zaire OVER Quay and added a trio of physical, CB’s who have scored high on the Run D meter. Cisse, St Juste and Domani Jackson. Really our CB room looks completely revamped without losing anyone.

I’m not sure how quickly we’ll adapt or ramp up our Run D. Yet with all the investment at Run Stop opponents try to test that it’s not going to end well for them. GB invested at every level to improve their Run D. In 2025 opponents wisely stressed the Run because of Micah and Wyatt on IR. Our 2026 D front will absolutely make teams pay for trying to do what they did down the stretch. Especially if Wyatt and Parsons are both back too.

 

[gopkrs]

I hope it turns out well but the O line is suspect. Especially the left side. We've got a new man at tackle who has not done very well anywhere yet and next to him is a guy who did not play well last year. I know all of the excuses. I'm saying it's suspect and there is not much in the way of back up if it doesn't work out. You could move Belton around if you have to. But he may be the only real player and he's already a starter. It would be a shame if we can only more or less consistently run to the right side because that would not remain a secret. I think we'll be ok but will need to pass in order to run I think. Maybe I'm being too ******* Morgan at guard last year. But I didn't see a lot of holes to run through.

 

[milani]

Good memory. As I recall, the Packers went 3 and out after the pic. MM had morphed into full "play not to lose" mode.

And the Seahawks stacked the box. Lacy could not even got to the line of scrimmage. They were daring the Packers to throw. MM should have let Rodgers call some play action on 1st down and hit Jordy in the flat.

 

[OldSchool101]

I hope it turns out well but the O line is suspect. Especially the left side. We've got a new man at tackle who has not done very well anywhere yet and next to him is a guy who did not play well last year. I know all of the excuses. I'm saying it's suspect and there is not much in the way of back up if it doesn't work out. You could move Belton around if you have to. But he may be the only real player and he's already a starter. It would be a shame if we can only more or less consistently run to the right side because that would not remain a secret. I think we'll be ok but will need to pass in order to run I think. Maybe I'm being too ******* Morgan at guard last year. But I didn't see a lot of holes to run through.

I think you were correct at Guard. Yet what we have to be careful about is he played 4 positions across 10 games. 550 snaps at BOTH Guard positions and 200 at BOTH Tackles. THAT shows the confidence our Staff has in his ability. Now Overall for 2025 he was fairly average when compared to the league but keep in mind this was his 1st year as a Starter. However at RT and LT he played extremely well. Earning a 75% Pass Block Grade and 70% Run block grade at Tackle. In Week 18 and Postseason he was one of the highest graded Offensive Line players. My argument would be you can’t stretch a player across 4 position groups as s 1st year Starter and expect them to grade high wearing that many hats. Imo The key to Morgan’s success will be consistency staying at 1 or 2 positions (at most).

It was actually Anthony Belton that struggled mightily. He was our lowest graded OL in 2025 and well into the bottom 25% of the league at Guard.
This isn’t meant to be a condemnation of Belton. Belton moved positions also as his natural position in College was LT, so once again we’re talking a 1st year Starter playing a new position and without the 1st Team Reps. It’s more probable a player improves off their limited Rookie debut as the Reps increase.
So even if I agree that our OL was suspect, it’s unlikely to remain there also imo.

 

[gopkrs]

I think you were correct at Guard. Yet what we have to be careful about is he played 4 positions across 10 games. 550 snaps at BOTH Guard positions and 200 at BOTH Tackles. THAT shows the confidence our Staff has in his ability. Now Overall for 2025 he was fairly average when compared to the league but keep in mind this was his 1st year as a Starter. However at RT and LT he played extremely well. Earning a 75% Pass Block Grade and 70% Run block grade at Tackle. In Week 18 and Postseason he was one of the highest graded Offensive Line players. My argument would be you can’t stretch a player across 4 position groups as s 1st year Starter and expect them to grade high wearing that many hats. Imo The key to Morgan’s success will be consistency staying at 1 or 2 positions (at most).

Getting back to Belton. It was Anthony that struggled mightily. He was one of our lowest graded OL in 2025. Although once again it’s not an excuse it’s a fact that we’re talking about a Rookie being injected at Guard and he only played 476 snaps mostly at RG and a little RT. Anthony played 9 games of over 50% snaps, but only 6 complete contests down the stretch. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say he’d grade better with an entire offseason lined up on the 1’s at Guard.

It either shows the confidence in him or 1. we had nobody else or 2. we were looking for a place for him. But they gave him L tackle without much of a backup plan imho, so hopefully he lives up to it. I don't really know about Belton either. He looks built like a tackle to me. But even Forrest Greg played guard if needed. Who was playing R tackle most of the time last year when he was at guard getting bad grades? A recovering Tom or someone else? There weren't many holes made all year. It's why I wonder about our game planning or our line coach or our players. You can't keep sending runners into a wall even if you have to keep em honest. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the season. GoPackGo! We will learn a lot about the O Line this year.

 

[OldSchool101]

It either shows the confidence in him or 1. we had nobody else or 2. we were looking for a place for him. But they gave him L tackle without much of a backup plan imho, so hopefully he lives up to it. I don't really know about Belton either. He looks built like a tackle to me. But even Forrest Greg played guard if needed. Who was playing R tackle most of the time last year when he was at guard getting bad grades? A recovering Tom or someone else? There weren't many holes made all year. It's why I wonder about our game planning or our line coach or our players. You can't keep sending runners into a wall even if you have to keep em honest. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the season. GoPackGo! We will learn a lot about the O Line this year.

Well we can agree that Josh was getting clobbered before he got going. Rasheed was terrible Run blocker and Morgan is a clear upgrade there. I’m bit yet sure about pass protection as that was Rasheed’s strength.

I do think our depth is better because we really insert THREE Draft picks that didn’t play at OL last season
2024 Travis Glover
2025 John Williams
2026 Jager Burton

I also like Kinnard. He seems to be a solid rotational OL.

 

[gopkrs]

Well we can agree that Josh was getting clobbered before he got going. Rasheed was terrible Run blocker and Morgan is a clear upgrade there. I’m bit yet sure about pass protection as that was Rasheed’s strength.

I do think our depth is better because we really insert THREE Draft picks that didn’t play at OL last season
2024 Travis Glover
2025 John Williams
2026 Jager Burton

I also like Kinnard. He seems to be a solid rotational OL.

Kinnard is the only one I'd actually feel pretty comfortable with. But I don't really know much about the others except they weren't early picks.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I hope it turns out well but the O line is suspect. Especially the left side. We've got a new man at tackle who has not done very well anywhere yet and next to him is a guy who did not play well last year. I know all of the excuses. I'm saying it's suspect and there is not much in the way of back up if it doesn't work out. You could move Belton around if you have to. But he may be the only real player and he's already a starter. It would be a shame if we can only more or less consistently run to the right side because that would not remain a secret. I think we'll be ok but will need to pass in order to run I think. Maybe I'm being too ******* Morgan at guard last year. But I didn't see a lot of holes to run through.

After a rocky start, Banks was improving as the season moved along. Can he keep up that level of play, or, ideally. improve?

Morgan will finally get to start at the position he played in college, LT.

So there are questions on the left side of the OL that will only be answered once the real games begin.

Rhyan should be fine as C. Belton played well for a rookie at RG and I expect him to improve and Tom is a lock if his torn patella is healed.

It's a decent OL that - even so, and except for Tom, these guys will have to play better than they have in the past.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Well we can agree that Josh was getting clobbered before he got going. Rasheed was terrible Run blocker and Morgan is a clear upgrade there. I’m bit yet sure about pass protection as that was Rasheed’s strength.

I do think our depth is better because we really insert THREE Draft picks that didn’t play at OL last season
2024 Travis Glover
2025 John Williams
2026 Jager Burton

I also like Kinnard. He seems to be a solid rotational OL.

Lack of play means we don't know what they can do. Gluten has done a good job for the most part with the OL, and I've heard Burton is looking good in OTAs.

 

[Voyageur]

When I coached, one of the things I wanted was offensive linemen who at least played all offensive line positions in practice as much as possible. The objective wasn't as much as to find out which positions they played best even though it did shed some light on it. The real reason was that I wanted all my linemen to totally understand the assignment of each and every lineman on every play as it was called, so they were aware of not only their responsibility but that of everyone else because there were a lot of plays where they could help out on a blocking assignment or pick up a block missed by someone else. I appreciated the average player who followed those roles more than the player who could make pancake blocks but only focused on their own responsibilities. They were showy but they weren't necessarily the guy you wanted to count on when the script flipped on you during a play.

In skull sessions, I'd spring questions on the linemen. I'd ask a left guard what the responsibility of the right guard and tackle were on a play, even when it was totally away from their area. Questions like this would catch them off guard and they studied the plays to ensure they knew the right answers and could carry out the assignments themselves if thrown into that mix.

I didn't just know to do this. I was taught how this worked when I played HS football. A coach who made my life less difficult as an RB by having linemen who carried out their assignments. As it is, I took a lot of hits, and in my era, it was really the Woody Hayes philosophy of; "Three yards and a cloud of dust." But to my coach, it was 4.5 yards and punish the defense for trying to stop the play. I'd be battered and bruised after 25 to 30 carries in a game, but I never experienced a major injury because our line was always moving bodies and nobody was able to get clean shots at me. Getting 125+ yards in a game was consistent and I don't think I was tackled for a loss more than 20 times over 4 years of carrying a football. But it wasn't me. I probably wouldn't have been able to play on a large city team where speed alone was their forte. I survived because of the blocking, and we won games we probably should have lost because he knew how to control the game by running the football. I was just a tool for his plan.

 

[Heyjoe4]

When I coached, one of the things I wanted was offensive linemen who at least played all offensive line positions in practice as much as possible. The objective wasn't as much as to find out which positions they played best even though it did shed some light on it. The real reason was that I wanted all my linemen to totally understand the assignment of each and every lineman on every play as it was called, so they were aware of not only their responsibility but that of everyone else because there were a lot of plays where they could help out on a blocking assignment or pick up a block missed by someone else. I appreciated the average player who followed those roles more than the player who could make pancake blocks but only focused on their own responsibilities. They were showy but they weren't necessarily the guy you wanted to count on when the script flipped on you during a play.

In skull sessions, I'd spring questions on the linemen. I'd ask a left guard what the responsibility of the right guard and tackle were on a play, even when it was totally away from their area. Questions like this would catch them off guard and they studied the plays to ensure they knew the right answers and could carry out the assignments themselves if thrown into that mix.

I didn't just know to do this. I was taught how this worked when I played HS football. A coach who made my life less difficult as an RB by having linemen who carried out their assignments. As it is, I took a lot of hits, and in my era, it was really the Woody Hayes philosophy of; "Three yards and a cloud of dust." But to my coach, it was 4.5 yards and punish the defense for trying to stop the play. I'd be battered and bruised after 25 to 30 carries in a game, but I never experienced a major injury because our line was always moving bodies and nobody was able to get clean shots at me. Getting 125+ yards in a game was consistent and I don't think I was tackled for a loss more than 20 times over 4 years of carrying a football. But it wasn't me. I probably wouldn't have been able to play on a large city team where speed alone was their forte. I survived because of the blocking, and we won games we probably should have lost because he knew how to control the game by running the football. I was just a tool for his plan.

Very interesting V, thanks. It just makes sense for members of a "unit" - OL, DL, Edge, WR, and on to know what the other guys would or should be doing. It can be the difference between a busted play that goes nowhere, and a busted play that still gains yards.

That's what has been missing from the Packers' OL in the last few years IMO. There is an insistence from coaches that guys are able to play all positions. Rather, all guys should know their and everyone else's responsibility on a play call.

 

[OldSchool101]

Good points. As we all know many players come into the NFL and make positional changes. Then It’s one thing to move positions and an another to move positions and not get to play with the Starters regularly. Then it’s a whole other level of difficulty as a Rookie when everything is fresh or new. Belton was caught up into that scenario in his Rookie season. So while he graded somewhat poorly in most games, I think the key was he didn’t thrive but the conditions were also tough. I’m expecting Belton to bounce back a little bit this year but he’s the definition of suspect.

Travis Glover was turning heads in live Practices when he injured in his 2nd offseason in 2025. I think he was in line for that primary rotational level role. It’s more about will he fully recover etc.

John Williams I recall from my draft boards was all over map. Like a hard prospect to get a handle on his floor to ceiling. Some thought he could go Day2 and others were more Priority Undrafted. He’s a true Day 3 Boom or bust flip a coin there.

We still have others that have spent time now in GB. That said they’ve put valuable time in. Yet there’s a fierce battle at the bottom with Monk, Jennings, Barnhart, Cooper, Barrett etc. there’s like 7 guys battling for what’s probably 2 open spots. My guess is Kinnard, Burton and Glover (if recovered) are depth locks and I’m mostly just going on comments from Coaches or Staff in 2035-2026. Might be 1 more active and 1 or 2 on PS.

The good part is aside from Burton most have 1-3 years invested before 2026 rolled along. So that newness is washing away.

 

[OldSchool101]

Kinnard is the only one I'd actually feel pretty comfortable with. But I don't really know much about the others except they weren't early picks.

I actually like we lined up Kinnard at TE. That guy is super athletic for a big guy. I didn’t like he didn’t switch hands like a RB and paid dearly with a Fumble. He literally advertised “punch this” as he lumbered down the field.

 

[gopkrs]

I actually like we lined up Kinnard at TE. That guy is super athletic for a big guy. I didn’t like he didn’t switch hands like a RB and paid dearly with a Fumble. He literally advertised “punch this” as he lumbered down the field.

Well whether or not he's lining up as a TE, he's still a lineman. I hope LaFleur doesn't make a habit of using him otherwise. But I do agree he's valuable out there. And a good time for play action imho.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Good points. As we all know many players come into the NFL and make positional changes. Then It’s one thing to move positions and an another to move positions and not get to play with the Starters regularly. Then it’s a whole other level of difficulty as a Rookie when everything is fresh or new. Belton was caught up into that scenario in his Rookie season. So while he graded somewhat poorly in most games, I think the key was he didn’t thrive but the conditions were also tough. I’m expecting Belton to bounce back a little bit this year but he’s the definition of suspect.

Travis Glover was turning heads in live Practices when he injured in his 2nd offseason in 2025. I think he was in line for that primary rotational level role. It’s more about will he fully recover etc.

John Williams I recall from my draft boards was all over map. Like a hard prospect to get a handle on his floor to ceiling. Some thought he could go Day2 and others were more Priority Undrafted. He’s a true Day 3 Boom or bust flip a coin there.

We still have others that have spent time now in GB. That said they’ve put valuable time in. Yet there’s a fierce battle at the bottom with Monk, Jennings, Barnhart, Cooper, Barrett etc. there’s like 7 guys battling for what’s probably 2 open spots. My guess is Kinnard, Burton and Glover (if recovered) are depth locks and I’m mostly just going on comments from Coaches or Staff in 2035-2026. Might be 1 more active and 1 or 2 on PS.

The good part is aside from Burton most have 1-3 years invested before 2026 rolled along. So that newness is washing away.

Good points on Belton. He didn't look great in the first half of the season, and then started playing better and settled in at RG as the season ran on. There was a lot of shuffling last year, and I'm sure that will affect a rookie more than a vet.

I don't remember, did Belton play any positions other than RG?

 

[Heyjoe4]

Well whether or not he's lining up as a TE, he's still a lineman. I hope LaFleur doesn't make a habit of using him otherwise. But I do agree he's valuable out there. And a good time for play action imho.

Kinnard has been surprisingly good since joining GB - or to put it another way - he has played better than my initial expectations.

If they are gonna use him as a receiving TE on a busted play, he needs some reps to deal with ball security.

 

[OldSchool101]

I don't remember, did Belton play any positions other than RG?

I had to look it up. Belton technically played at every position except Center. (Including 1 snap at TE). Although his meaningful snaps were
392 at RG
86 at RT

 

[Heyjoe4]

I had to look it up. Belton technically played at every position except Center. (Including 1 snap at TE). Although his meaningful snaps were
392 at RG
86 at RT

Thanks OS. I never would have guessed he had that many snaps at RT - probably due to Tom's injury. Good experience for him. I think he'll be solid at RG.