The Green Bay Packers opened their 2026 preseason schedule with a 28-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday evening, and there was plenty to unpack from the individual performances. Preseason results and schemes matter far less than what players show on an individual level, and this game offered young Packers a chance to prove their value ahead of roster cuts. From quarterback Kyle McCord’s extended action to kicker Trey Smack’s impressive field goal display, the evaluation tape is rolling in Green Bay.

Winners

Trey Smack

The biggest winner of the night may have been kicker Trey Smack, who converted four field goals. Three of them counted officially, with one nullified by a penalty that sent the Packers’ offense back onto the field. The nullified kick, though, came from 58 yards out. His three official conversions came from 37, 58, and 38 yards. Even though one can question the process of drafting a kicker, Smack was a strong prospect, and despite early struggles in training camp and the offseason program, he showed his worth in his first NFL game action. Green Bay has reason for hope that Smack will be the long-term solution at kicker.

Offensive pieces

Quarterback Kyle McCord earned the most playing time among Packers quarterbacks after Jordan Love played only one series and Tyrod Taylor saw limited action. McCord delivered a strong performance, flashing the tools the Packers tend to prioritize at the position. The third-stringer went 12/16 for 102 yards, with a 91.1 passer rating.

He has a strong arm, some pocket mobility, and enough poise to keep drives alive. It remains early to know whether he will compete for the QB2 spot with Taylor, but the next two preseason games should provide a clearer picture.

Left tackle Jordan Morgan did not put together a flashy night, but he was consistent. Morgan looked solid in pass protection, keeping a strong base and avoiding pressures. He gave quarterbacks time in the pocket without surrendering splash plays.

Wide receiver Isaiah Neyor also had a strong showing, catching all four of his targets for 34 yards. Neyor is fighting for the sixth wide receiver spot on the 53-man roster, and his performance against Pittsburgh helps his case. Special teams contributions will factor into the decision as well, and he is competing with Bo Melton, an experienced returner. Neyor has talent, though, and based on this game, he may earn that roster spot.

Losers

Non-playing draft picks

Two draft picks did not play because of injuries: fourth-round edge defender Dani Dennis-Sutton and sixth-round cornerback Domani Jackson. For young players trying to prove availability and win roles on both defense and special teams, missing the first preseason game is a significant setback. Their absences are a bummer for two rookies who need every possible rep.

Not a great showing for Nixon

Veteran cornerback Keisean Nixon started alongside Brandon Cisse but remained on the field well after other veterans had been pulled. That is unusual for a starting cornerback who is not a rookie. The Packers giving Cisse more reps makes sense, but Nixon logging that many snaps in a preseason game raises questions.

When Nixon was on the field, he gave up catches and missed a tackle. Defending his standing is getting harder even though his contract carries reasonable value. Green Bay would almost certainly feel more comfortable starting Cisse at this point. Carrington Valentine’s absence due to injury forced Nixon into the boundary role, and free agent addition Benjamin St.-Juste entered the game later.

Talking about cornerbacks who didn’t perform at a great level, backup Jaylin Simpson had a tough night. Bad plays, penalties, even playing against backups on the Steelers.

Special teams role, and that’s it

Skyy Moore figures to be the team’s primary returner, and there is not much competition for that job. His role on offense, however, is shrinking. Moore had drops against the Steelers and did not look the part of a reliable slot receiver. He did flash on a six-yard end-around run, which could carve out a niche role in the offense. But based on training camp and this game, it is getting harder to project consistent offensive snaps for Moore moving forward.