The preseason opener for the 2025 Green Bay Packers arrives Saturday night at Lambeau Field. A visit from the New York Jets provides Matt LaFleur’s team a chance to get back on the field in a live game environment for the first time since January’s playoff loss. The preseason opener represents the start of a busy competitive schedule coming up — the Packers have a joint practice and preseason game with both the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks over the next two weeks.

Some final thoughts before the Packers open the preseason:

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— The Packers are weighing risk vs. reward in terms of playing important players. Matt LaFleur said NFL data shows playing snaps during the preseason helps prevent injuries come the start of the regular season, which makes some intuitive sense in terms of callousing the body in a violent sport, but there’s always risk in exposing key players to injury during a meaningless game. What’s a win look like for the Packers on Saturday night? Getting through the game without an injury to a player who matters to the 2025 team.

— The weather could be iffy in Green Bay on Saturday night. It’s unclear if a rainy forecast would impact LaFleur’s decision to play important players.

— The NFL debut of Matthew Golden will demand the spotlight. The Packers’ first-round pick has looked like an instant impact rookie pass-catcher during training camp, and it won’t be surprising if LaFleur and Adam Stenavich (who will call plays) go out of their way to manufacture an opportunity for No. 22 on Saturday night. Considering Golden already looks like a starter, it’s possible his debut won’t last more than a series or two.

— A pair of high draft picks along the offensive line should get plenty of snaps. 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan figures to start at left tackle, while 2025 second-round pick Anthony Belton could get snaps at left and right tackle with the second-team offense. The Jets are not lacking in edge rushing talent, so this will be a big first test for the young duo.

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— Don’t look away when the Packers’ special teams units hit the field on Saturday night. In so many cases, the bottom of the roster is determined by participation and/or versatility within the third phase. Who is on the field with the first kick and punt coverage teams? Who can make a big block or big tackle? There are roles to be won on special teams after the Packers moved on from stalwarts such as Eric Wilson, Robert Rochell and TJ Slaton this offseason. A few names to watch, in particular: Bo Melton, Corey Ballentine, Arron Mosby, Isaiah Simmons and Kristan Welch.

— Last preseason, the Packers ran the football 99 times, or 33 times a game, compared to only 87 total dropbacks from quarterbacks. Because practices limit the evaluation of the run game, and preseason games are usually chaotic in the passing game, teams often lean on the run during the exhibition schedule.

— Performances in preseason games matter. Last summer, Emanuel Wilson and Arron Mosby both locked up 53-man roster spots with excellent overall showings across three games. There will be one or two players who do the same over the next three weeks.

— Mecole Hardman is the intriguing veteran to watch. Can he make a play or two in the passing game while also proving he can be the primary returner?

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— Rookies along the defensive line could make some noise. Barryn Sorrell, Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse have all made plays this summer, and there’s a good chance they’ll all be on the field together at times on Saturday night. Sorrell, Brinson and Stackhouse all played a lot of high-level football in college and won’t be afraid of the bright lights.

— Ty’Ron Hopper is going to play a lot of snaps, and he has to be the heavy favorite to lead the Packers in tackles, both on Saturday night and this preseason overall.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Final thoughts before Packers open 2025 preseason vs. Jets