{"id":237590,"date":"2025-07-26T12:21:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-26T12:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/237590\/"},"modified":"2025-07-26T12:21:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-26T12:21:11","slug":"roster-decisions-only-getting-harder-for-packers-washington-co-sports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/237590\/","title":{"rendered":"Roster decisions only getting harder for Packers | Washington Co. Sports"},"content":{"rendered":"

GREEN BAY \u2014 During Don Shula\u2019s first training camp with the Miami Dolphins in 1970, he implemented a four-a-day practice schedule. Yes, four-a-days.<\/p>\n

When Mike Sherman took over as Green Bay\u2019s coach in 2000, he held 51 practices his first summer.<\/p>\n

\"Rob<\/p>\n

Rob Reischel<\/p>\n

\n
\n\"Washington
\n<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

This year, Packers coach Matt LaFleur has 16 scheduled practices, and will likely have a couple of walk-throughs.<\/p>\n

The NFL world has changed dramatically in the last generation or two. And today\u2019s training camps are far softer and gentler than the ones of yesteryear.<\/p>\n

With so little time on the practice field, it\u2019s also tough for general managers like Green Bay\u2019s Brian Gutekunst to assemble a 53-man roster.<\/p>\n

“Yeah, it\u2019s different,” said the 52year old Gutekunst, who\u2019s been with the Packers since 1999. “I think there\u2019s enough opportunities between now and when we have to make those decisions, but they\u2019ve dwindled. You know, there\u2019s not as many.”<\/p>\n

Piecing together the roster will be Gutekunst\u2019s No. 1 task between now and Aug. 26, when teams must reduce rosters to a maximum of 53 players.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an early prediction of how the Packers\u2019 roster will look when they host Detroit in their season opener on Sept. 7.<\/p>\n

Quarterbacks (2)<\/p>\n

Keep: Jordan Love, Malik Willis.<\/p>\n

Cut: Sean Clifford, Taylor Elgersma.<\/p>\n

Analysis: There doesn\u2019t figure to be much drama here.<\/p>\n

Love is coming off an injury plagued season where he threw 25 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and had a 96.7 passer rating. If the Packers are going to compete for a championship, Love needs to move from good to great.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s right where we need him to be,\u201d Gutekunst said of Love. \u201cReally excited for what he\u2019s going do for our football team this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Willis helped save the Packers\u2019 season last year, going 2-0 in a pair of starts and rallying Green Bay past Jacksonville after Love left early in the third quarter. Willis finished the year completing 40 of 54 passes (74.1%) with three touchdowns and no interceptions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t emphasize how difficult of a situation he was put in a year ago in terms of being here less than three weeks and having to go start a football game,\u201d LaFleur said of Willis. \u201cSo to have a year under his belt, I think will be extremely beneficial for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clifford spent 2024 on the practice squad, but his time might be over. Elgersma, who was signed after rookie minicamp, could be a candidate for the practice squad.<\/p>\n

Running backs (4)<\/p>\n

Keep: Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks.<\/p>\n

Cut: Amar Johnson, Jalen White. Analysis: The Packers traditionally keep three players here, so we\u2019re going against the grain. But this is undoubtedly one of the better positional groups on the team.<\/p>\n

Jacobs, who finished sixth in the NFL in rushing yards last season (1,329) and had 16 total touchdowns, is one of the best in the game. Lloyd, a third-round pick in 2024 who missed most of his rookie year due to injury, has flashed his 4.44 speed early in camp and will have a role if healthy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think my speed is something they can use a lot,\u201d Lloyd said. \u201cI think I have a specific skill set that the team likes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wilson ran for 502 yards last year and had five total touchdowns. And Brooks is certainly an NFL-caliber back who blocks every bit as well as he runs.<\/p>\n

Gutekunst could certainly cut either Brooks or Wilson, but the guess is he\u2019ll keep them both. Johnson is a prime candidate for the practice squad.<\/p>\n

Receivers (6)<\/p>\n

Keep: Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Matthew Golden, Savion Williams, Dontayvion Wicks, Mecole Hardman.<\/p>\n

Cut: Malik Heath, Julian Hicks, Cornelius Johnson, Sam Brown Jr., Will Sheppard.<\/p>\n

PUP list: Christian Watson (ACL). Analysis: This group will look dramatically different than a year ago with the additions of Golden and Williams in the draft, and potentially Hardman in free agency.<\/p>\n

Reed, Doubs and Wicks \u2014 three of last year\u2019s top four \u2014 all need to be better.<\/p>\n

Reed led the Packers in receptions (55) and yards (857) last year, but struggled with drops. Wicks led the team in targets (76), but was just fourth in receptions (39) and had the second worst catch rate in football among wideouts (51.3%).<\/p>\n

The moody Doubs, who went AWOL and was suspended for a Week 5 game vs. the Rams, also suffered two concussions. He now faces a critical season in a contract year.<\/p>\n

Golden, the Packers\u2019 first-round draft pick, has flashed early in camp. His 4.29 speed is simply different and his after-the-catch potential is tantalizing.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to be a speed threat right away,\u201d Gutekunst said of Golden. \u201cHe is one of those guys that covering him from a man perspective is going to be extremely tough on teams.\u201d<\/p>\n

Williams is raw, but has rare size (6foot-4, 222 pounds) and could become a bigger factor as the year goes on.<\/p>\n

The final spot will likely come down to Hardman \u2014 a free-agent signing in March \u2014 or Heath, a physical blocker who had just 10 catches last year. The bet here is on Hardman, who has 178 career catches, a Super Bowl ring and is still just 27.<\/p>\n

Tight ends (3)<\/p>\n

Keep: Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Ben Sims.<\/p>\n

Cut: John FitzPatrick, Messiah Swinson, Johnny Lumpkin.<\/p>\n

Analysis: If you play fantasy football like much of the country, here\u2019s a little tip: be sure to get Tucker Kraft on your team.<\/p>\n

This could be Kraft\u2019s breakout year, following a season where he posted solid numbers (50 catches, 707 yards, seven TDs). He\u2019s been even better this summer and could lead Green Bay in many pass-catching categories.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he\u2019s just scratching the surface of what he\u2019s going to become,\u201d Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Kraft. \u201cAnd certainly we got to do a good job of giving him opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Musgrave, a second-round draft pick in 2023, has missed 16 of a possible 34 games and needs to impress.<\/p>\n

Sims vs. FitzPatrick will be the toughest decision here. Sims is the better special teams player, though, giving him a leg up.<\/p>\n

Swinson is an intriguing player likely headed to the practice squad.<\/p>\n

Offensive line (9)<\/p>\n

Keep: LT Rasheed Walker, LG Aaron Banks, C Elgton Jenkins, RG Sean Rhyan, RT Zach Tom, T\/G Jordan Morgan, T\/G Anthony Belton, C\/G Jacob Monk, T\/G Kadeem Telfort.<\/p>\n

Cut: T\/G Travis Glover, G\/T John Williams, G Donovan Jennings, C Trey Hill, T Brant Banks, G Tyler Cooper, G J.J. Lippe.<\/p>\n

Analysis: This is a deep group and the Packers could certainly keep 10 here.<\/p>\n

Things will become much clearer once Jenkins \u2014 who is unhappy with his current contract and currently sidelined with a back injury \u2014 begins practicing.<\/p>\n

A potential starting five of Walker, Banks, Jenkins, Rhyan and Tom should form one of the better lines in football. Morgan, who is battling Walker for the left tackle job, and rookie second-round pick Belton would provide terrific depth.<\/p>\n

Monk, a fifth-round draft pick in 2024, could still be Green Bay\u2019s center of tomorrow. The massive Telfort (6-7, 322) didn\u2019t play from scrimmage last year, but contributed on special teams.<\/p>\n

Glover was abysmal when forced into duty in the Packers\u2019 playoff loss to Philadelphia. Jennings spent last year on the practice squad, and could move up with an impressive camp. Williams, a seventh-round draft pick, is on the PUP list (back) and could be headed to the practice squad.<\/p>\n

Defensive ends (6)<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/p>\n

Keep: Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox, Arron Mosby.<\/p>\n

Cut: Collin Oliver, Deslin Alexandre.<\/p>\n

Analysis: The Packers could choose to keep just five here, but after a season of inconsistency with the group, the guess here is they\u2019ll give themselves plenty of options.<\/p>\n

The top three of Gary, Van Ness and Enagbare are set.<\/p>\n

Gary had 7 1\/2 sacks, nine tackles for loss and was named to his first Pro Bowl last season. Van Ness, a firstround draft pick in 2023, has a lot to prove after a disappointing 2024 campaign (three sacks, six TFLs) that saw him hampered with a broken thumb.<\/p>\n

Enagbare is often overlooked, but had 4 1\/2 sacks and forced two fumbles last year.<\/p>\n

Sorrell, a fourth-round pick in April, has rushed some from the inside to begin camp and could provide some much-needed juice. Cox had four sacks in just seven games after the Packers traded Preston Smith last season.<\/p>\n

Mosby played 150 snaps in 16 games last year and will be squarely on the bubble.<\/p>\n

The undersized Oliver, a fifth-round draft pick in April, is on the PUP list with a hamstring injury. Green Bay could try sneaking him onto the practice squad.<\/p>\n

Defensive tackles (5)<\/p>\n

Keep: Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, Warren Brinson.<\/p>\n

Cut: Nazir Stackhouse, James Ester, Keith Randolph.<\/p>\n

Analysis: Clark hopes to rebound from a down year where he was plagued by a foot injury and had just one sack and five quarterback hits.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was tough man,\u201d Clark said. \u201cIt was a tough year for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wyatt finished second on the team in sacks (5), quarterback hits (9) and tackles for loss (9) last season despite missing three games with an ankle injury. Wyatt\u2019s snaps should go up with T.J. Slaton now in Cincinnati, and he could be poised for a breakout season.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy standard is really high,\u201d Wyatt said. \u201cI want to be one of the top defensive linemen in the league. That\u2019s the biggest key for me, just staying healthy, man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brooks and Wooden, who both came in the 2023 draft, have been solid backups.<\/p>\n

The toughest decision figures to be Brinson vs. Stackhouse. Give Brinson the edge, though, since he was drafted in the sixth round in April and could likely provide more help on special teams.<\/p>\n

Linebackers (5)<\/p>\n

Veterans: Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty\u2019Ron Hopper, Isaiah Simmons.<\/p>\n

Cut: Kristian Welch, Jamon Johnson.<\/p>\n

Analysis: This is one of the deepest groups on the roster, so don\u2019t rule out a trade if the Packers need help somewhere else. Cooper, who led all NFL linebackers and all rookies with 13 tackles for loss in 2024, seems ready for stardom. Walker has led the Packers in tackles each of his first three seasons, but the team opted not to pick up his fifth-year option.<\/p>\n

McDuffie, who re-signed with Green Bay for two years, $8 million this offseason, had a career-best 94 tackles last year.<\/p>\n

The player to watch closely is Simmons, the 10th overall pick in the 2020 draft who had disappointing stints in Arizona and with the New York Giants. Simmons has rare athleticism, though, and could carve out a role for himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, you see him,\u201d LaFleur said of Simmons. \u201cThere\u2019s a reason he was a top-10 pick. He\u2019s got all the measurables, and it\u2019s just getting him acclimated with our system and knowing what he can do and try to put him in some advantageous positions where he can really showcase his talent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hopper, a third-round pick in 2024, should be ready for more after posting just five tackles as a rookie. Welch, a special teams standout, is plenty good enough to play in the league. It just might be somewhere else.<\/p>\n

Cornerbacks (5)<\/p>\n

Veterans: Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, Carrington Valentine, Bo Melton, Micah Robinson.<\/p>\n

Cut: Kalen King, Isaiah Dunn, Gregory Junior, Kamal Hadden, Johnathan Baldwin, Tyron Herring.<\/p>\n

Analysis: This group could use some help.<\/p>\n

The Packers should be OK with their top three of Nixon, Hobbs and Valentine.<\/p>\n

Nixon was the only defensive back in football and one of just five players to have three-plus sacks, three-plus forced fumbles and an interception last year. While he\u2019s not a true No. 1 corner, he\u2019s as feisty as they come and appears to still be ascending in Year 7.<\/p>\n

Hobbs, a free-agent signing in March, has been better than advertised early in camp. Hobbs was primarily the slot corner in Las Vegas, but looks like a keeper on the perimeter.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve given myself an opportunity to come in and be the best version of myself,\u201d Hobbs said. \u201cThere\u2019s expectations, but it\u2019s a clear start.\u201d<\/p>\n

Valentine started the final seven games for an injured Jaire Alexander last season and played well. He finished the season with two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five passes defensed.<\/p>\n

The Packers have moved Melton from wide receiver to cornerback. And while a positional change typically is a death knell for a veteran player, Melton might have a shot to make this work.<\/p>\n

Melton ran a 4.34 40-yard dash coming out of Rutgers. His vertical jump was 38 inches, his broad jump was 10 feet, 1 inch, and he\u2019s impressed early in training camp.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s one of those guys that, from the time we scouted him coming out of college, we thought he had that kind of ability,\u201d Gutekunst said of Melton playing cornerback. \u201cWhen we brought him here, it was something we had in the back of our minds, that hey, this might be something we could do with Bo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Robinson was a seventh-round draft pick in April and King was a seventh rounder in 2024. The preseason games and joint practices will go a long way in determining if they stay or go.<\/p>\n

Also, don\u2019t be surprised if Gutekunst makes a trade here or finds another corner off the waiver wire.<\/p>\n

Safeties (5)<\/p>\n

Keep: Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Zayne Anderson, Kitan Oladapo.<\/p>\n

Cut: Omar Brown, Kahzir Brown. Analysis: Things are pretty cut and dried here.<\/p>\n

McKinney (eight interceptions in 2024) is among the best in the game. Williams is an emerging player who was named to the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie team after an impressive first season.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were moments last year where I felt confident in my play and I was making plays on the field,\u201d Williams said. \u201cBut it\u2019s just being able to do that consistently. If you can\u2019t do it consistently, it really doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bullard had an up-and-down rookie year, but looks like the front-runner to win the nickel job. Anderson is an extremely reliable veteran and a special teams standout.<\/p>\n

Oladapo had a quiet rookie season, but has upside.<\/p>\n

Omar Brown, who was undrafted, is a good bet for the practice squad.<\/p>\n

Specialists (3)<\/p>\n

Keep: K Brandon McManus, P Daniel Whelan, LS Matt Orzech.<\/p>\n

Cut: K Mark McNamee Analysis: This positional group is about as close to settled as you\u2019ll find in July.<\/p>\n

McManus saved Green Bay\u2019s kicking game last season after replacing Brayden Narveson in mid-October. McManus made 20 of 21 field goals during the regular season (95.2%), the best percentage of his 11-year career and the second-best in team history. He also made all 30 of his extra points.<\/p>\n

Whelan ranked 26th in both gross (46.1) and net yardage (40.2), but is the only punter in camp. Orzech is steady and it doesn\u2019t appear as he\u2019ll be challenged this summer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"GREEN BAY \u2014 During Don Shula\u2019s first training camp with the Miami Dolphins in 1970, he implemented a…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":237591,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2072],"tags":[7,30592,41,345,2514,2513,6,428,9],"class_list":{"0":"post-237590","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-green-bay-packers","8":"tag-football","9":"tag-free-article","10":"tag-green-bay","11":"tag-green-bay-packers","12":"tag-greenbay","13":"tag-greenbaypackers","14":"tag-nfl","15":"tag-packers","16":"tag-sports"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/114919512157957795","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237590","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=237590"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237590\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/237591"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=237590"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=237590"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=237590"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}