{"id":896127,"date":"2026-05-20T06:00:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T06:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/896127\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T06:00:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T06:00:19","slug":"key-questions-ahead-of-otas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/896127\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Questions Ahead of OTAs |"},"content":{"rendered":"

One week from today, OTA\u2019s will officially kick off on Lombardi Ave. Not only does it mean the Green Bay Packers<\/a> will move to the next phase of their offseason, but it also means us fans will get our first real look at this team. Here are some of the key questions I\u2019ll be looking at next week when OTA\u2019s begin.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1. What does the TE depth look like?\u00a0<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a few spots on this roster that have me worried about the depth, and tight end is one of them. The loss of John Fitzpatrick to a torn achilles at the end of last season hurt this team a lot more than people realize.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Matt Lafleur doesn\u2019t seem to trust Luke Musgrave as a blocker, and Josh Whyle hasn\u2019t shown much prowess in the run game either. In a league that features 12 and 13 personnel so frequently, the Packers desperately need a competent run blocking tight end they can feature with Tucker Kraft.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll be keeping an eye on where players like Whyle, Messiah Swinson and RJ Maryland all stand on this roster.\u00a0<\/p>\n

2. Can Marshawn Lloyd make it through OTAs without a soft tissue injury?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fingers crossed everybody! We believe in you Marshawn!\u00a0<\/p>\n

Brian Gutekunst says that, while you can’t count on MarShawn Lloyd staying healthy right now, you can count on his talent. He doesn’t anticipate needing to add to the Packers’ running back room.<\/p>\n

“If he’s healthy, we know he can help us,” Gutekunst said. “Bringing Chris Brooks\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Zach Jacobson (@zacobson) April 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Who are the starting outside corners as of right now?\u00a0<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t expect Brandon Cisse to be one of the starters. He might not win the job at all this season, but the Packers for sure won\u2019t give him the job this early in the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I do expect Keisean Nixon to be the outside starting CB1, but who will start opposite him? I think it will come down to Carrington Valentine or Benjamin St-Juste. The Green Bay Packers have been hesitant to show faith in Valentine in the past, so I\u2019m interested to see what they do here.\u00a0<\/p>\n

4. Where is Chris McClellan on this depth chart?\u00a0<\/p>\n

If I had to pick a rookie that will be most likely to start in 2026, it would be McClellan. Picked to a position of need, and without a clear competitor. Nazir Stackhouse may be the main player he has to beat out.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll be interested to see whether the Packers throw McClellan in right away at the nose position, or if they give him a chance to play at the 3-4 DE position as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n

5. Who is the backup nickel CB in this defense?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Javon Bullard is going to be the de facto nickel player in this defense. However, even at the very end of this season, Bullard was often subbed out on passing downs so Nate Hobbs could come in. Will the Green Bay Packers do that again this season?\u00a0<\/p>\n

If so, I\u2019m looking to see who they rotate in at this position. Nixon? Oladapo? Kamal Hadden?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Drew Sayer<\/p>\n

\n Girl dad, Physical Therapist, Co-host of Kip and Chip’s Sports Podcast. Lifelong Packer fan!\n <\/p>\n