Getty
Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers talks with Jordan Love #10 during a timeout in the fourth quarter in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field on October 12, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Expectations are high for the Green Bay Packers in 2026.
They have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, and have made the postseason in each of their last three seasons. Unfortunately, they are 1-3 in those playoff matchups, and 0-2 over the past two years.
All of those games came on the road as the Packers were a wildcard team each time. They have not won the NFC North since 2021. Green Bay has as good of a shot as anyone to win the division in 2026, but the competition will be stiff.
NFC North Ranked as Second-Best Division in the NFL
GettyPackers QB Jordan Love embraces Bears QB Caleb Williams
With the significant part of free agency now behind us, Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report released his new divisional rankings. He placed the NFC North at No. 2, trailing only the NFC West. Here is Reuter’s breakdown:
“The Vikings executed the biggest move among the four teams, signing Kyler Murray after his release from the Cardinals. Murray should give Minnesota a sizable bump at the position, but first, he’ll need to beat out 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy for the starting job. If the Lions can land a quality left tackle in the draft, they’ll be in position to recover from their disappointing 2025 season. They signed center Cade Mays to fill a critical need for one of the best rosters in the league. The Packers and Bears weren’t as active as other teams in free agency due to limited cap space.
Chicago traded Moore and saw the abrupt retirement of center Drew Dalman, whom the team replaced with Bradbury. But the Bears improved their secondary, signing of safety Coby Bryant. And Green Bay decided not to retain Gary, Quay Walker, offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins and tackle Rasheed Walker. However, the Packers did acquire linebacker Zaire Franklin in a trade with the Colts and signed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. Despite slow offseasons, the Packers and Bears still have attractive rosters with young talent at various positions, including quarterbacks Jordan Love and Caleb Williams. And let’s not forget the two teams’ heated coaching rivalry between Matt LaFleur and Ben Johnson.”
The Packers went 4-2 in the division last season, sweeping the Lions and splitting with the Vikings and Bears. Of course, Chicago got another win over Green Bay in the wildcard playoff round. While the Vikings and Lions shouldn’t be slept on, they seem to be more in a transition stage than the Bears and Packers.
Previewing the Green Bay Packers’ 2026 Opponents
GettyRams HC Sean McVay and Packers HC Matt LaFleur
The tough tests for the Packers don’t end with their division rivals. One their biggest will be a huge road matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, who are projected to be a Super Bowl favorite. Green Bay will also have to go on the road and play the 2025 AFC Champion New England Patriots.
The Packers’ biggest home game could be against the Buffalo Bills, who have been one of the NFL’s premier teams for several years. They will also continue their storied history with the Dallas Cowboys, and take on young up and comers such as the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons.
Nick Roesch Nick Roesch covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, with a focus on the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Chargers. He previously covered the Chiefs for USA TODAY Sports’ Chiefs Wire, and all 32 NFL teams for A to Z Sports. Roesch’s career in sports media spans 10 years. More about Nick Roesch
More Heavy on Packers
Loading more stories