Why a Hot Start Could Make or Break the Packers 2026 Season
The Green Bay Packers will kick off their regular season in just one week, against the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers fell short in the playoffs last season after a string of injuries hurt them in the final stretch. Now, all eyes are on head coach Matt LaFleur, who was under fire last season for once again being unable to reach the Super Bowl. In LaFleur’s seven seasons with the team, the Packers have made the playoffs six times but have been unable to make it past the Conference Championship. The winning in the regular season is consistent, but the postseason losses wipe away any of that success. Looking ahead to the 26-27 season, the Packers will want to get off to a hot start if they want any chance of redemption in the playoffs and return to form.
Green Bay will be without their star pass rusher Micah Parsons for at least the first four games. The former Pro Bowler suffered a torn ACL at the end of last year and is still working to make a return. The team expects him to be back by Week Six, just in time to take on his former team, the Dallas Cowboys. The Packers will also be without running back Josh Jacobs, as he is still dealing with his legal troubles after recent allegations. Many questions remain about whether he’ll even stay on the team, leaving the offense with a massive loss this season. For now, Jacobs will miss the start of the season, under NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's exempt list. Losing both players is a brutal blow for Green Bay as the regular season opens, but their absence also cracks the door open for the next wave of Packers hungry to seize their moment.
Edge rushers Barryn Sorrell and Lukas Van Ness will carry the pass-rushing duties until Parsons can return. Van Ness is entering his fourth season, having 8.5 total sacks in his first three years. The former Iowa Hawkeye will finally have the opportunity to break out, as he’ll be the number one threat on the defensive line. Sorrell was drafted by the Packers last year in the fourth round and will now get the chance to see more snaps in 2026. The former Texas Longhorn made just one start last season, but now the door is wide open to make a name for himself and earn a role that could last well beyond the return of Green Bay’s star defensive lineman. Running back MarShawn Lloyd will take over the rushing duties for Jacobs, a massive opportunity in his NFL career. Green Bay drafted the speedster in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft and will now finally get the chance to be their main running back. Lloyd has attacked training camp with a different level of urgency, knowing the biggest opportunity of his young career is staring him directly in the face. The Packers are more than capable of getting off to a fast start and will need to be in one of the NFL's hardest divisions.
