2 months ago
Brian Gutekunst and the Green Bay Packers had a strong scouting presence at the Texas vs. Texas State matchup on Saturday. Green Bay's general manager got a first-hand look at the Longhorns dismantling the Bobcats 59-7.
The Longhorns will likely have four players get drafted in the first round in the 2027 NFL Draft and they'll have plenty of prospects who could be on Green Bay's radar on Day 2 and 3 of the draft.
Let's dive into some of the Longhorn prospects who stood out during their season-opening victory on Saturday.
If the Packers take a Longhorn prospect in the Top 150 of the upcoming draft, the leader in the clubhouse is Hero Kanu. Kanu flashed his quickness and power and finished the day with 1.5 tackles for loss. He's going to be a problem for teams all season.
Fellow defensive tackle Ian Geffrard was impressive in his Longhorns debut. The Arkansas transfer was a hoss recording three run stops.
#longhorn
The Longhorns will likely have four players get drafted in the first round in the 2027 NFL Draft and they'll have plenty of prospects who could be on Green Bay's radar on Day 2 and 3 of the draft.
Let's dive into some of the Longhorn prospects who stood out during their season-opening victory on Saturday.
If the Packers take a Longhorn prospect in the Top 150 of the upcoming draft, the leader in the clubhouse is Hero Kanu. Kanu flashed his quickness and power and finished the day with 1.5 tackles for loss. He's going to be a problem for teams all season.
Fellow defensive tackle Ian Geffrard was impressive in his Longhorns debut. The Arkansas transfer was a hoss recording three run stops.
#longhorn
2 months ago
The Miami Dolphins weren't impressed by their trio of quarterbacks battling to back up Malik Willis this preseason, which led the team to trade Quinn Ewers and cut both Cam Miller and Mark Gronowski over the weekend.
While these moves left Miami without a quarterback, they quickly pivoted and completed a trade with the Green Bay Packers to acquire Kyle McCord, who completed 65.7% of his passes for 446 yards and four touchdowns in the preseason.
Speaking with the media this week, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst explained the decision to move on from the 23-year-old.
"He played so well during the preseason. We were contemplating, do we keep three? Do we try to get him to the practice squad, what's the likelihood of that? When somebody calls you and starts talking about a trade, the likelihood of getting him to the practice squad probably isn't strong," Gutekunst said. "It's always (tough), whenever you trade a player that you like and you think has an upside, but he wasn't going to be the No. 2 here most likely, and heading into next year, who knows? It's our job to find the next guy, and develop the next guy. That's what we do. That's what we'll do moving forward."
Instead of rolling with McCord as Jordan Love's backup, the Packers took the sixth-round pick they got in return and will have Tyrod Taylor step in if their starter goes down in 2026.
#Miami #gutekunst
While these moves left Miami without a quarterback, they quickly pivoted and completed a trade with the Green Bay Packers to acquire Kyle McCord, who completed 65.7% of his passes for 446 yards and four touchdowns in the preseason.
Speaking with the media this week, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst explained the decision to move on from the 23-year-old.
"He played so well during the preseason. We were contemplating, do we keep three? Do we try to get him to the practice squad, what's the likelihood of that? When somebody calls you and starts talking about a trade, the likelihood of getting him to the practice squad probably isn't strong," Gutekunst said. "It's always (tough), whenever you trade a player that you like and you think has an upside, but he wasn't going to be the No. 2 here most likely, and heading into next year, who knows? It's our job to find the next guy, and develop the next guy. That's what we do. That's what we'll do moving forward."
Instead of rolling with McCord as Jordan Love's backup, the Packers took the sixth-round pick they got in return and will have Tyrod Taylor step in if their starter goes down in 2026.
#Miami #gutekunst
2 months ago
The Green Bay Packers had little reason to keep Kyle McCord with Jordan Love firmly established as the starter and veteran Tyrod Taylor ahead of him on the depth chart. With limited room in the quarterback room, Green Bay opted to move McCord to the Miami Dolphins rather than keep him buried behind the team's top two options.
The Packers have moved quickly to add another quarterback, bringing a new arm into the practice squad, according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman.
"Packers are adding Kedon Slovis as QB3 on the practice squad, Gutekunst says. He just played for the Cardinals here on Friday." wrote the NFL insider.
Sep 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) in the huddle against the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Slovis began his college career at USC before later stops at Pittsburgh and BYU, but he went undrafted in 2024. The Indianapolis Colts gave him a chance as an undrafted free agent, only to release him during their final roster cuts.
#mccord #keep
The Packers have moved quickly to add another quarterback, bringing a new arm into the practice squad, according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman.
"Packers are adding Kedon Slovis as QB3 on the practice squad, Gutekunst says. He just played for the Cardinals here on Friday." wrote the NFL insider.
Sep 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) in the huddle against the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Slovis began his college career at USC before later stops at Pittsburgh and BYU, but he went undrafted in 2024. The Indianapolis Colts gave him a chance as an undrafted free agent, only to release him during their final roster cuts.
#mccord #keep
2 months ago
The Green Bay Packers appear to have the talent needed to challenge for the Super Bowl, giving the franchise a real opportunity to end its lengthy championship drought. Green Bay has not reached the Super Bowl since its 2010 ******* le run, but expectations are high that this roster could finally put the team back on that stage.
The Packers reshaped their defense during the offseason, adding Zaire Franklin at linebacker and Javon Hargrave along the interior of the defensive line. Both additions give Green Bay more depth and experience as the team navigates Micah Parsons' absence while he continues to recover from an ACL injury.
Talk of Green Bay making a move for Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat appears to be unfounded. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst dismissed the trade speculation outright, according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman.
Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
"Somebody's making stuff up," remarked the Packers GM when he was addressing the media.
#super #gutekunst #general
The Packers reshaped their defense during the offseason, adding Zaire Franklin at linebacker and Javon Hargrave along the interior of the defensive line. Both additions give Green Bay more depth and experience as the team navigates Micah Parsons' absence while he continues to recover from an ACL injury.
Talk of Green Bay making a move for Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat appears to be unfounded. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst dismissed the trade speculation outright, according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman.
Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
"Somebody's making stuff up," remarked the Packers GM when he was addressing the media.
#super #gutekunst #general
2 months ago
The Green Bay Packers' initial 53-man roster entering the 2026 season has been finalized, and it contains an oddity in that Green Bay opted to keep seven defensive tackles.
That is more than they have rostered in Brian Gutekunst's tenure as general manager and the most since 2013. It is a different world from where the Packers were a year ago, as the defensive tackle position looked thin entering the season and was decimated by the end of it.
The fact they have decided to keep so many this time around is perhaps a consequence of wanting to avoid such a situation again, but it is more so a testament to the work done to fortify the room this offseason, as well as some impressive growth by various preexisting players.
Javon Hargrave via free agency and Chris McClellan were the headline additions and along with Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks, made the position look stronger.
Beyond those four, no one else was certain of a roster spot entering training camp. In the end, so many other players impressed that the Packers had no choice but to keep seven.
#keep #defensive #position
That is more than they have rostered in Brian Gutekunst's tenure as general manager and the most since 2013. It is a different world from where the Packers were a year ago, as the defensive tackle position looked thin entering the season and was decimated by the end of it.
The fact they have decided to keep so many this time around is perhaps a consequence of wanting to avoid such a situation again, but it is more so a testament to the work done to fortify the room this offseason, as well as some impressive growth by various preexisting players.
Javon Hargrave via free agency and Chris McClellan were the headline additions and along with Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks, made the position look stronger.
Beyond those four, no one else was certain of a roster spot entering training camp. In the end, so many other players impressed that the Packers had no choice but to keep seven.
#keep #defensive #position
2 months ago
A 53-man roster isn't the only thing that NFL teams need to decide on this week. The league's cutdown deadline from 90 to 53 will come and go on Sunday afternoon, and on Monday it will be time for teams to begin ******* embling the other major piece of their rosters: the practice squad.
Over the last several years, this component of the roster has expanded greatly in significance. Not long ago, teams could carry a maximum of 8 players on the practice squad, but that number has gradually increased, now doubling to 16 (plus an additional 17th spot if a team signs a player with an international roster exemption). Furthermore, a player can be elevated from the practice squad to the active gameday roster a few times per year without a full promotion to the 53, making the unit a more functional squad of backups and injury replacements.
As a result, the NFL has expanded the eligibility rules for practice squads over the years as well. Now, a team can sign players with any level of experience to the squad. At least ten of the 16 spots must be taken up by players with two or fewer years of accrued NFL experience, but that leaves up to six slots that can be filled by players of any experience level.
Notably, teams cannot begin signing players to the practice squad until the league's post-roster cut waivers are processed. That will take place at 12 Noon Central Time on Monday, when waiver claims will be awarded. After that, any players who clear waivers become free agents and are eligible to sign with any team, either to a full 53-man roster spot or to a practice squad. Still, there will be reports during cutdown day on Sunday of players whom the Packers would like to bring back for the practice squad if they do clear waivers. Here, APC will keep track of those reports through Sunday, followed by the actual signings on Monday afternoon.
The Green Bay Packers have used the practice squad heavily in recent years as rules have changed, often promoting players to the gameday roster to fill in for injured players or to contribute on special teams. As such, today is an important day for general manager Brian Gutekunst and his staff, who will surely be working hard to bring back several individuals whom the Packers waived as part of Sunday's cutdown. Building out a deep squad can have a major impact on a team's ability to withstand challenges over the course of the season, and the quality of players on that unit could be the difference between the Packers going over or under their projected win total of 9.5, which is the current number on FanDuel sportsbook.
#practice #teams #years
Over the last several years, this component of the roster has expanded greatly in significance. Not long ago, teams could carry a maximum of 8 players on the practice squad, but that number has gradually increased, now doubling to 16 (plus an additional 17th spot if a team signs a player with an international roster exemption). Furthermore, a player can be elevated from the practice squad to the active gameday roster a few times per year without a full promotion to the 53, making the unit a more functional squad of backups and injury replacements.
As a result, the NFL has expanded the eligibility rules for practice squads over the years as well. Now, a team can sign players with any level of experience to the squad. At least ten of the 16 spots must be taken up by players with two or fewer years of accrued NFL experience, but that leaves up to six slots that can be filled by players of any experience level.
Notably, teams cannot begin signing players to the practice squad until the league's post-roster cut waivers are processed. That will take place at 12 Noon Central Time on Monday, when waiver claims will be awarded. After that, any players who clear waivers become free agents and are eligible to sign with any team, either to a full 53-man roster spot or to a practice squad. Still, there will be reports during cutdown day on Sunday of players whom the Packers would like to bring back for the practice squad if they do clear waivers. Here, APC will keep track of those reports through Sunday, followed by the actual signings on Monday afternoon.
The Green Bay Packers have used the practice squad heavily in recent years as rules have changed, often promoting players to the gameday roster to fill in for injured players or to contribute on special teams. As such, today is an important day for general manager Brian Gutekunst and his staff, who will surely be working hard to bring back several individuals whom the Packers waived as part of Sunday's cutdown. Building out a deep squad can have a major impact on a team's ability to withstand challenges over the course of the season, and the quality of players on that unit could be the difference between the Packers going over or under their projected win total of 9.5, which is the current number on FanDuel sportsbook.
#practice #teams #years
2 months ago
A 53-man roster isn't the only thing that NFL teams need to decide on this week. The league's cutdown deadline from 90 to 53 will come and go on Sunday afternoon, and on Monday it will be time for teams to begin **** embling the other major piece of their rosters: the practice squad.
Over the last several years, this component of the roster has expanded greatly in significance. Not long ago, teams could carry a maximum of 8 players on the practice squad, but that number has gradually increased, now doubling to 16 (plus an additional 17th spot if a team signs a player with an international roster exemption). Furthermore, a player can be elevated from the practice squad to the active gameday roster a few times per year without a full promotion to the 53, making the unit a more functional squad of backups and injury replacements.
As a result, the NFL has expanded the eligibility rules for practice squads over the years as well. Now, a team can sign players with any level of experience to the squad. At least ten of the 16 spots must be taken up by players with two or fewer years of accrued NFL experience, but that leaves up to six slots that can be filled by players of any experience level.
Notably, teams cannot begin signing players to the practice squad until the league's post-roster cut waivers are processed. That will take place at 12 Noon Central Time on Monday, when waiver claims will be awarded. After that, any players who clear waivers become free agents and are eligible to sign with any team, either to a full 53-man roster spot or to a practice squad. Still, there will be reports during cutdown day on Sunday of players whom the Packers would like to bring back for the practice squad if they do clear waivers. Here, APC will keep track of those reports through Sunday, followed by the actual signings on Monday afternoon.
The Green Bay Packers have used the practice squad heavily in recent years as rules have changed, often promoting players to the gameday roster to fill in for injured players or to contribute on special teams. As such, today is an important day for general manager Brian Gutekunst and his staff, who will surely be working hard to bring back several individuals whom the Packers waived as part of Sunday's cutdown. Building out a deep squad can have a major impact on a team's ability to withstand challenges over the course of the season, and the quality of players on that unit could be the difference between the Packers going over or under their projected win total of 9.5, which is the current number on FanDuel sportsbook.
#squad #practice #sunday
Over the last several years, this component of the roster has expanded greatly in significance. Not long ago, teams could carry a maximum of 8 players on the practice squad, but that number has gradually increased, now doubling to 16 (plus an additional 17th spot if a team signs a player with an international roster exemption). Furthermore, a player can be elevated from the practice squad to the active gameday roster a few times per year without a full promotion to the 53, making the unit a more functional squad of backups and injury replacements.
As a result, the NFL has expanded the eligibility rules for practice squads over the years as well. Now, a team can sign players with any level of experience to the squad. At least ten of the 16 spots must be taken up by players with two or fewer years of accrued NFL experience, but that leaves up to six slots that can be filled by players of any experience level.
Notably, teams cannot begin signing players to the practice squad until the league's post-roster cut waivers are processed. That will take place at 12 Noon Central Time on Monday, when waiver claims will be awarded. After that, any players who clear waivers become free agents and are eligible to sign with any team, either to a full 53-man roster spot or to a practice squad. Still, there will be reports during cutdown day on Sunday of players whom the Packers would like to bring back for the practice squad if they do clear waivers. Here, APC will keep track of those reports through Sunday, followed by the actual signings on Monday afternoon.
The Green Bay Packers have used the practice squad heavily in recent years as rules have changed, often promoting players to the gameday roster to fill in for injured players or to contribute on special teams. As such, today is an important day for general manager Brian Gutekunst and his staff, who will surely be working hard to bring back several individuals whom the Packers waived as part of Sunday's cutdown. Building out a deep squad can have a major impact on a team's ability to withstand challenges over the course of the season, and the quality of players on that unit could be the difference between the Packers going over or under their projected win total of 9.5, which is the current number on FanDuel sportsbook.
#squad #practice #sunday
2 months ago
The Green Bay Packers finished the preseason on Friday night at Lambeau Field, and now attention turns to finishing the initial 53-man roster before Sunday afternoon's cutdown. Strong performances during training camp and the preseason will create some difficult choices for Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur in creating the initial roster, which is due by 5:00 p.m. CT on Sunday.
Toughest decisions awaiting the Packers on their path to 53 players:
Matt LaFleur wasn't able to confirm the injury timelines for defensive tackle Warren Brinson, receiver Savion Williams or edge rusher Collin Oliver, who were all injured within the last week and could be candidates to start the season on injured reserve. The roster math changes pretty quick if any of those three miss the start of the season. Any player placed on IR to start the season has to miss at least the first four games.
To his credit, Kyle McCord turned this into a legitimate question over three excellent preseason games. Tyrod Taylor is going to be the backup behind Jordan Love, but are the Packers willing to risk McCord to waivers? He looks like the right long-term developmental option, and teams don't like risking good quarterbacks. But keeping three quarterbacks would be a roster luxury for a team with a settled situation at the top.
J. Michael Sturdivant and Will Sheppard both made terrific final arguments on Friday night, and Isaiah Neyor was one dropped touchdown pass away from doing the same. The battle between these three has been raging all summer, and now the Packers must decide: Is there room on the roster for a seventh receiver? It's possible one of the three makes it comfortably if Savion Williams goes on IR. The Packers have all the boxes checked with their top six receivers, but Sturdivant and Sheppard can both play a role on special teams. Sturdivant might be too good to risk, especially after prioritizing him as a free agent following the draft and his 112-yard performance on Friday night.
#packers #roster #Friday #sunday
Toughest decisions awaiting the Packers on their path to 53 players:
Matt LaFleur wasn't able to confirm the injury timelines for defensive tackle Warren Brinson, receiver Savion Williams or edge rusher Collin Oliver, who were all injured within the last week and could be candidates to start the season on injured reserve. The roster math changes pretty quick if any of those three miss the start of the season. Any player placed on IR to start the season has to miss at least the first four games.
To his credit, Kyle McCord turned this into a legitimate question over three excellent preseason games. Tyrod Taylor is going to be the backup behind Jordan Love, but are the Packers willing to risk McCord to waivers? He looks like the right long-term developmental option, and teams don't like risking good quarterbacks. But keeping three quarterbacks would be a roster luxury for a team with a settled situation at the top.
J. Michael Sturdivant and Will Sheppard both made terrific final arguments on Friday night, and Isaiah Neyor was one dropped touchdown pass away from doing the same. The battle between these three has been raging all summer, and now the Packers must decide: Is there room on the roster for a seventh receiver? It's possible one of the three makes it comfortably if Savion Williams goes on IR. The Packers have all the boxes checked with their top six receivers, but Sturdivant and Sheppard can both play a role on special teams. Sturdivant might be too good to risk, especially after prioritizing him as a free agent following the draft and his 112-yard performance on Friday night.
#packers #roster #Friday #sunday
3 months ago
Green Bay signed former Tennessee tight end McCallan Castles on Tuesday. The Packers also signed tight end Drew Biber.
General manager Brian Gutekunst announced the transactions.
Green Bay worked out Castles and long snapper Cal Adomitis (Pittsburgh), wide receiver Elijhah Badger (Florida), wide receiver Elijah Cooks (San Jose State), long snapper John Ferlmann (Ohio State), tight end Brandon Frazier (Auburn), long snapper Brent Matiscik (TCU), wide receiver ***** us Mokiao-Atimalala (UCLA), tight end Briley Moore (Kansas State) and wide receiver Kaden Prather (Maryland) on July 30.
Castles played for the Vols in 2023. He appeared in 13 games and totaled 22 receptions for 283 yards and five touchdowns.
Castles transferred to Tennessee from UC Davis ahead of the 2023 season.
#tight
General manager Brian Gutekunst announced the transactions.
Green Bay worked out Castles and long snapper Cal Adomitis (Pittsburgh), wide receiver Elijhah Badger (Florida), wide receiver Elijah Cooks (San Jose State), long snapper John Ferlmann (Ohio State), tight end Brandon Frazier (Auburn), long snapper Brent Matiscik (TCU), wide receiver ***** us Mokiao-Atimalala (UCLA), tight end Briley Moore (Kansas State) and wide receiver Kaden Prather (Maryland) on July 30.
Castles played for the Vols in 2023. He appeared in 13 games and totaled 22 receptions for 283 yards and five touchdowns.
Castles transferred to Tennessee from UC Davis ahead of the 2023 season.
#tight
3 months ago
The Green Bay Packers entered a new era in 2023 when they transitioned from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love at quarterback, spending the next few years getting younger and looking to establish a new core for a championship run.
Now, the next chapter has arrived, as spearheaded by general manager Brian Gutekunst, Green Bay has committed to a whole host of players who will carry the team's Super Bowl hopes for the foreseeable future.
This offseason has been the flash point for the majority of these decisions, as the Packers signed Sean Rhyan, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Isaiah McDuffie and Devonte Wyatt to extensions, signed Javon Hargrave and Benjamin St-Juste in free agency, and traded for Zaire Franklin.
Assuming Tucker Kraft's extension gets done sooner rather than later, Green Bay will have pledged a lot of cap ***** e to a large group of players.
In fact, once Kraft gets a new deal, they will have 19 non-special teams players who are on at least their second contract and carry a cap hit of $2.5 million or more.
#green
Now, the next chapter has arrived, as spearheaded by general manager Brian Gutekunst, Green Bay has committed to a whole host of players who will carry the team's Super Bowl hopes for the foreseeable future.
This offseason has been the flash point for the majority of these decisions, as the Packers signed Sean Rhyan, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Isaiah McDuffie and Devonte Wyatt to extensions, signed Javon Hargrave and Benjamin St-Juste in free agency, and traded for Zaire Franklin.
Assuming Tucker Kraft's extension gets done sooner rather than later, Green Bay will have pledged a lot of cap ***** e to a large group of players.
In fact, once Kraft gets a new deal, they will have 19 non-special teams players who are on at least their second contract and carry a cap hit of $2.5 million or more.
#green
3 months ago
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon wanted no part of any conversation about his contract situation Thursday.
Each time the topic was broached — three times in all — Nixon simply repeated that he was leaving it up to his agent, Tory Dandy, and Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst.
"I'm here to play ball," Nixon said.
But Nixon did want to make one thing clear: He didn't miss the Packers' first practice of training camp to demonstrate his dissatisfaction with his contract.
"It had nothing to do with that," he said.
#green #keisean #tory
Each time the topic was broached — three times in all — Nixon simply repeated that he was leaving it up to his agent, Tory Dandy, and Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst.
"I'm here to play ball," Nixon said.
But Nixon did want to make one thing clear: He didn't miss the Packers' first practice of training camp to demonstrate his dissatisfaction with his contract.
"It had nothing to do with that," he said.
#green #keisean #tory
3 months ago
Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons is making good progress in his rehab from a torn ACL, but it continues to sound like he will not be ready to play at the start of the season.
While General Manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters that he's open to the possibility of Parsons coming off the active/physically unable to perform list before the end of training camp, it doesn't seem like that's going to happen.
"Yeah, I'd like to have enough flexibility to leave the door open. But that would be unlikely, just from a timing perspective," Gutekunst said in his Wednesday press conference. "We've invested a lot in him, so we want to make sure he's ready to go before we even think about putting him out there."
That being said, Parsons has made plenty of progress since suffering the injury in December.
"I may have mentioned it before, but he's a little bit of a genetic freak, so things come pretty easy to him," Gutekunst said. "Again, he's still, obviously, got a long ways to go. These are major injuries, so as you go through these things and how hard they have to work to get back, there's always going to be little setbacks here and there. But he's doing great right now."
#like
While General Manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters that he's open to the possibility of Parsons coming off the active/physically unable to perform list before the end of training camp, it doesn't seem like that's going to happen.
"Yeah, I'd like to have enough flexibility to leave the door open. But that would be unlikely, just from a timing perspective," Gutekunst said in his Wednesday press conference. "We've invested a lot in him, so we want to make sure he's ready to go before we even think about putting him out there."
That being said, Parsons has made plenty of progress since suffering the injury in December.
"I may have mentioned it before, but he's a little bit of a genetic freak, so things come pretty easy to him," Gutekunst said. "Again, he's still, obviously, got a long ways to go. These are major injuries, so as you go through these things and how hard they have to work to get back, there's always going to be little setbacks here and there. But he's doing great right now."
#like
3 months ago
The Green Bay Packers are opening up training camp on Wednesday, and injured players are in the spotlight as Matt LaFleur's team heads to the practice field to begin prep for the 2026 season.
Before practice, LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst answered questions from the media, providing injury updates on specific players to start training camp:
Guard Aaron Banks: Gutekunst said Banks would come off the PUP list and practice in some capacity on Wednesday. The Packers placed Banks on the PUP list on Monday, but it appears his stay there will be a short one. Suggests he was dealing with a very minor issue.
Tight end Tucker Kraft: While he's starting training camp on the PUP list, Gutekunst believes Kraft will be participating "sooner rather than later." He is now roughly 8.5 months removed from surgery. The Packers are also hopefully that Kraft -- who Gutekunst compared to Christian Watson in terms of recovery from ACL surgery -- will be ready for Week 1. "The way he looks, you'd think he's ready to go." The two sides want to get a contract extension done as well, so the team will be "protective" of their start tight end coming off a major injury.
Edge rusher Micah Parsons: Gutekunst said Parsons has a "long ways to go" but is "doing great right now." The team is not expecting him to practice during training camp, although Gutekunst left the door open. He remains on schedule in his recovery. Parsons is a "genetic freak," but the Packers continue to preach patience.
#training #camp #parsons
Before practice, LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst answered questions from the media, providing injury updates on specific players to start training camp:
Guard Aaron Banks: Gutekunst said Banks would come off the PUP list and practice in some capacity on Wednesday. The Packers placed Banks on the PUP list on Monday, but it appears his stay there will be a short one. Suggests he was dealing with a very minor issue.
Tight end Tucker Kraft: While he's starting training camp on the PUP list, Gutekunst believes Kraft will be participating "sooner rather than later." He is now roughly 8.5 months removed from surgery. The Packers are also hopefully that Kraft -- who Gutekunst compared to Christian Watson in terms of recovery from ACL surgery -- will be ready for Week 1. "The way he looks, you'd think he's ready to go." The two sides want to get a contract extension done as well, so the team will be "protective" of their start tight end coming off a major injury.
Edge rusher Micah Parsons: Gutekunst said Parsons has a "long ways to go" but is "doing great right now." The team is not expecting him to practice during training camp, although Gutekunst left the door open. He remains on schedule in his recovery. Parsons is a "genetic freak," but the Packers continue to preach patience.
#training #camp #parsons
4 months ago
The Green Bay Packers made some long overdue investments at defensive tackle this offseason, signing veteran free agent Javon Hargrave and drafting Chris McClellan in the third round.
While those additions should help shore up the defensive line in 2026, there are still lingering questions over what the group will look like beyond this season.
Hargrave signed a two-year deal, but he will turn 34 next February. If he does not enjoy the kind of bounce-back season the Packers are hoping for, he could be off the team, with $10 million in savings available if he is cut before the 2027 season.
As talented as he may be, McClellan is a third-round pick whom the media consensus expected to go later. There is a scenario where he is not especially impactful for the next couple of years.
The other protagonists of Green Bay’s D-line are Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks, both of whom are set to hit free agency next spring. That leaves general manager Brian Gutekunst with a decision to make sooner or later on the pair’s future.
While those additions should help shore up the defensive line in 2026, there are still lingering questions over what the group will look like beyond this season.
Hargrave signed a two-year deal, but he will turn 34 next February. If he does not enjoy the kind of bounce-back season the Packers are hoping for, he could be off the team, with $10 million in savings available if he is cut before the 2027 season.
As talented as he may be, McClellan is a third-round pick whom the media consensus expected to go later. There is a scenario where he is not especially impactful for the next couple of years.
The other protagonists of Green Bay’s D-line are Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks, both of whom are set to hit free agency next spring. That leaves general manager Brian Gutekunst with a decision to make sooner or later on the pair’s future.
