The Green Bay Packers roster underwent significant change this offseason, and as a result, several players who held secondary roles in 2025 now carry far greater importance for the 2026 season. From offense to defense, four Packers players in particular have seen their roles expand dramatically because of free agency departures, trades, and roster attrition.

Lukas Van Ness

The former first-round pick has never lived up to his draft status, but Lukas Van Ness is now positioned to be the most impactful edge rusher on Green Bay’s defense early in the regular season. Last season, he served as a rotational pass rusher behind Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary. The Packers lost Gary and Kingsley Enagbare this offseason, and Parsons is expected to miss the first few games of the regular season.

That combination of losses means Van Ness won’t just be a starter. He’ll be the primary player at edge rusher for at least the first month. The Packers exercised his fifth-year option for 2027, guaranteeing he’ll be around for at least two more seasons. His performance early in the year will go a long way in determining whether that investment pays off.

MarShawn Lloyd

Running back MarShawn Lloyd was a third-round pick two years ago but has barely played in the NFL due to a sequence of injuries. His opportunity in 2026 is significant. Emanuel Wilson left in free agency and signed with the Seattle Seahawks, and Josh Jacobs had an arrest issue, with the possibility of a suspension or missed time still unresolved.

Regardless of the Jacobs situation, Lloyd figures to be an important part of the running back rotation. Jacobs is getting older with two years left on his deal, and Lloyd is probably the player with the highest long-term upside in Green Bay’s backfield. This is the year he needs to prove he can stay healthy and contribute.

Jordan Morgan

Left tackle Jordan Morgan, a first-round pick in 2024, might be the most important player on this list. Despite being drafted to play left tackle, Morgan has never held that job full-time. For his first two seasons, he moved around the offensive line and played most of his snaps at guard. He did start at left tackle against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18 and during the preseason last year, and general manager Brian Gutekunst said Morgan performed well enough to win the job over Rasheed Walker.

Injuries forced the Packers to shuffle Morgan around the line again, but with Walker leaving in free agency, Morgan is the unquestioned starter at left tackle. Green Bay doesn’t have many alternatives at the position, which raises the stakes. The NFC is loaded with elite pass rushers, and Myles Garrett joining the Los Angeles Rams only adds to the challenge. Morgan’s development will be critical to protecting Jordan Love.

Javon Bullard

Defensive back Javon Bullard had some strong moments as the starting slot corner last season, but the Packers at least had Nate Hobbs as an alternative. With Hobbs released, Bullard becomes the unquestioned starter in the slot. Green Bay signed Benjamin St-Juste and drafted Brandon Cisse, but those two players project more as boundary corners.

This is a massive season for Bullard beyond the on-field role. After 2026, he’ll be eligible for a contract extension. The Packers will have to decide how to allocate long-term money among Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, and Bullard in the secondary. His performance this year will shape that decision significantly.

For different reasons, each of these players went from complementary piece to essential contributor. The Packers’ success in 2026 depends on at least some of them stepping into larger roles and producing at a level that matches the opportunity.