The Green Bay Packers have the initial version of their 2026 53-man roster. The group has some surprises after an insane day with trades, but it doesn’t have Josh Jacobs, who will start the season on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List.

Packers’ initial 53-man roster

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Quarterback (2)

IN: Jordan Love, Tyrod Taylor
OUT: Kyle McCord (traded to the Dolphins for a 2028 sixth-round pick)

The skinny: Kyle McCord was impressive in the preseason, but the Packers decided to generate draft capital with him instead of keeping him on the roster. That means veteran Tyrod Taylor, who signed a one-year contract, will be the backup.

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Running back (3)

IN: MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, Kaleb Johnson
OUT: Pierre Strong Jr., Damien Martinez, Jaden Nixon**
Commissioner’s Exempt List: Josh Jacobs

The skinny: The Packers did make a move at running back after all, trading for Pittsburgh Steelers former third-round pick Kaleb Johnson. It’s a low-cost move for a player who had an impressive final college season, but hasn’t had success in the NFL. That potentially happened because the NFL placed Josh Jacobs on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. The Packers expect Nixon back on the practice squad if he clears waivers.

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Wide receiver (6)

IN: Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, Skyy Moore, Bo Melton, J. Michael Sturdivant**
OUT: Isaiah Neyor, Will Sheppard, Chris Hilton Jr.**, Kisean Johnson, Kaden Prather
IR-DFR: Savion Williams

The skinny: J. Michael Sturdivant is the biggest surprise on the list, but it shouldn’t be based on how impressive he was during the preseason. The Packers made him a priority UDFA and saw him as a late-round prospect. Savion Williams starts the season on IR and will miss at least four games.

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Tight end (4)

IN: Tucker Kraft, Jonnu Smith, Josh Whyle, Mark Redman
OUT: Drake Dabney, McCallan Castles, Messiah Swinson, Thomas Yassmin (IPP)
PUP: Luke Musgrave

The skinny: With Musgrave on the PUP/inactive list to start the season, the Packers decided to act at tight end too. So, they acquired Mark Redman from the Los Angeles Rams. He spent his rookie season in 2025 on the Rams’ practice squad.

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Offensive line (10)

IN: Jordan Morgan, Aaron Banks, Sean Rhyan, Jacob Monk, Zach Bako-Bewele, Jager Burton*, Anthony Belton, John Williams, Donovan Jennings, Travis Glover
OUT: Darian Kinnard, Brant Banks, Dalton Cooper, Dylan Barrett**, Josh Gesky**, Dillon Wade**

The skinny: Monk didn’t play on Friday, which makes obvious the Packers’ intention to start him. Burton and Belton were on the field, which shows they still need more reps. Glover played extensively too, but it might not be enough for him to make the team unless the Packers keep 10 offensive linemen.

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Interior defensive line (7)

IN: Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave, Karl Brooks, Chris McClellan*, Warren Brinson, Jonathan Ford, Anthony Campbell
OUT: Nazir Stackhouse, Jaden Crumedy
PUP: Jordon Riley

The skinny: Anthony Campbell is one of the biggest training camp stories. He was fantastic in both practice and preseason games, which led Green Bay to give him a roster spot after all. It’s impressive that the Packers decided to keep seven interior defensive linemen.

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Linebacker (5)

IN: Edgerrin Cooper, Zaire Franklin, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper, Nick Niemann
OUT: Kristian Welch, TJ Quinn**

The skinny: There wasn’t much space for surprises here.

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Edge defenders (4)

IN: Lukas Van Ness, Brenton Cox Jr., Barryn Sorrell, Dani Dennis-Sutton*
OUT: Arron Mosby, Nyjalik Kelly**, Arden Walker
PUP: Micah Parsons
IR-DFR: Collin Oliver

The skinny: Micah Parsons is officially on the PUP/inactive list, which means he is forced to miss at least four games to start the season. The Packers can open his 21-day practice window at any point after Week 2. Collin Oliver will also miss the start of the season.

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Cornerback (5)

IN: Keisean Nixon, Brandon Cisse*, Carrington Valentine, Benjamin St-Juste, Kamal Hadden
OUT: Domani Jackson*, Jaylin Simpson, Shemar Bartholomew, MJ Devonshire

The skinny: It’s rare for the Packers to cut a draft pick, but that’s exactly what happened to sixth-rounder Domani Jackson. That’s surprising, but not necessarily wrong considering what he showed in the preseason.

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Safety (4)

IN: Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Kitan Oladapo
OUT: Murvin Kenion**, Mark Perry, Tra Fluellen
IR: Trey Dean

The skinny: Kenion had a shot at making the team, but the Packers decided to go thin at safety.

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Specialists (3)

IN: Trey Smack* (K), Daniel Whelan (P), Matthew Orzech (LS)
OUT: Cal Adomitis (LS)

The skinny: The question here was the long snapper position. Orzech missed the entire training camp, and Adomitis created some connection with rookie kicker Trey Smack. But the Packers decided to keep Orzech after all.