Internal development is a big part of the Green Bay Packers’ philosophy, and 2025 was a year where players like Jordan Love, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, and Devonte Wyatt showed signs of progress.

For a team that gives players time and opportunities to improve, it’s imperative that some of them grow and take over bigger roles by the time their rookie contracts are coming to an end. And if the Packers want to reach their full potential in 2026, these are the players who need to take a significant leap.

Matthew Golden

Golden had a relatively quiet rookie season due to the lack of chances — he was 12th amongst rookie receivers in total targets. But with a better understanding of the scheme entering Year 2 and with Romeo Doubs probably leaving in free agency, not only will Golden have more chances, the Packers will be forced to give him more routes and targets.

Christian Watson will still likely be the primary wide receiver, and tight end Tucker Kraft dominates the underneath areas, but even then there will be plenty of opportunities to go around, and Golden has to show what he did in the playoffs against the Chicago Bears for a longer period of time.

Jordan Morgan

The experimentation phase is over — and Morgan’s days at guard should be, too. The former first-round pick is a tackle, he played much better there on both sides of the line, and he’s set to become a starter with Rasheed Walker leaving in free agency. The question is if Morgan will be the left tackle he’s projected to, or if the Packers will move Zach Tom to the left and play Morgan at right tackle — which sounds like an unnecessary sequence of moves.

Morgan’s versatility is appreciated by the Packers, and Brian Gutekunst didn’t rule out keeping cross-training him. But if he’s set to start, there shouldn’t be any need for it.

Lukas Van Ness

There’s a realistic possibility that the Packers will cut Rashan Gary. But even if they don’t, the defense needs more juice opposite Micah Parsons. Van Ness already had some sort of leap last season in terms of efficiency, but an injury limited his progress and his volume.

In the offseason, the Packers have to make a decision on his fifth-year option, and the 2026 season will be contractually important anyway — whether it’s a contract year or a chance to secure a long-term extension before the option kicks in.

Ty’Ron Hopper

Quay Walker is probably too expensive for the Packers to keep, and they probably shouldn’t spend more high draft capital on an off-ball linebacker. So the guy who needs to step up and prove he can be a starter is third-year linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper. The sample is still small, but Hopper is athletic and has shown good coverage skills — which would already be a significant difference compared to Walker. If Hopper doesn’t improve much, the Packers will have to rely too much on Isaiah McDuffie.

Anthony Belton

Another offensive lineman may be a boring choice here, but the Packers truly need him — and I could argue that Jacob Monk could have made this list as well. Belton has the physical tools to be a plus starter at guard, but he was too raw and it showed in his rookie year. Projected to start at right guard from the jump in 2026, Belton has to be more consistent to give the coaching staff the confidence they need with a significantly modified group for the next few seasons.

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