Packers have clear priorities heading into training camp, and what they do now could shape their entire 2025 season
The Green Bay Packers kick off their training camp next week. As always, there will be intriguing battles for starting jobs and for roster spots. However, the Packers have some specific boxes to check, and those could have a big role in determining how successful the team will be in the 2025 season.General manager Brian […]
The Green Bay Packers kick off their training camp next week. As always, there will be intriguing battles for starting jobs and for roster spots. However, the Packers have some specific boxes to check, and those could have a big role in determining how successful the team will be in the 2025 season.
General manager Brian Gutekunst has mostly concluded the 90-man roster formation, even though an addition or two can always happen right around training camp. Now, it's head coach Matt LaFleur and his staff's job to make the most out of the group they have.
Therefore, let's discuss what the Packers have to accomplish over the next few weeks.
Best five in the offensive line
The Packers have frequently invested in the offensive line, and it wasn't different this offseason. The team's biggest free agent addition was left guard Aaron Banks, and Gutekunst also spent a second-round pick to select Anthony Belton, who's yet to sign his rookie deal. The only loss was center Josh Myers, and based on his salary it wasn't a big issue for the Packers—if they wanted him, they would have kept him.
With last year's first-round pick Jordan Morgan returning from a shoulder injury, there will be at least two battles for starting positions. As the Packers indicated in the offseason program, Morgan has a shot at earning the left tackle spot in a competition with incumbent Rasheed Walker. Sean Rhyan is the presumed starter at right guard, but Belton could theoretically compete there as well—and if Morgan doesn't win the LT job, moving him back to guard is a possibility.
Now, there are two questions about Belton. First, if the rookie will report to training camp due to a league-wide issue with second-rounders and their deals. Second, if he will in fact be a movable piece. He can play at guard too, but in the offseason he spent more time at tackle, both on the left and right sides.
Walker and Rhyan (in addition to right tackle Zach Tom) are entering the final year of their rookie contracts, which is also a factor in the conversation.
Wide receiver roles
Christian Watson won't be a part of the training camp, still recovering from his knee injury, but practices will still feature a battle between so many talented receivers. Last year, some of them underperformed compared to expectations—and even Jayden Reed, who led the team in receiving yards, had a concerning final stretch of the year.
Beyond Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks, the competition receives two big names. Matthew Golden is the big X-factor, being the first first-round wide receiver for the Packers since 2002. How he will enter the rotation is a significant part of the preseason. The other one is third-round pick Savion Williams, and how Matt LaFleur intends to use a player who was a wide receiver, running back, and wildcat quarterback throughout his college career.
Green Bay also added veteran free agent Mecole Hardman. Beyond his ability as a returner, the speedster brings a horizontal element that could be helpful for LaFleur's offensive scheme. But first, he has to make the roster.
What to make of the cornerback room
This is certainly the biggest talking point around the Packers. The team lost Jaire Alexander for good, and some other pieces left in free agency. It also added Nate Hobbs and some minor pieces to compete, but it's still a concerning spot—albeit the front office seems confident in their weak-link system approach.
The projected starters are Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, and Carrington Valentine. But moving Hobbs to the boundary with safety Javon Bullard in the slot is also a possibility. All those battles, plus younger players looking for active and practice squad spots will be something to closely watch.
And if the roster lacks internal improvement, Gutekunst will still have time to add external help before it's too late in the regular season.
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