yahoo
Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers are facing a lot of pressure heading into the 2026 NFL season.
After a brutal collapse in the Wild Card playoff round last season against the Chicago Bears, Ed Policy decided against making drastic changes.
Both LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst received contract extensions, but it is clear that the leash is getting shorter for the team's brass.
Should the Packers come up well short of expectations in 2026, changes could be coming.
That being said, Green Bay has another chance to live up to the Super Bowl aspirations that have been in place over the last couple of years.
Ahead of training camp, the Packers have a few question marks on the roster.
The health of superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons is obviously the biggest issue, as he is expected to miss at least the first half of the season as he recovers from a torn ACL.
ESPN Green Bay insider Rob Demovsky has taken a look at a training camp preview this week.
He also revealed his projection for the team's final 53-man roster.
Here is what he has predicted: QB (2): Jordan Love, Tyrod Taylor RB (3): Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks WR (6): Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Savion Williams, Bo Melton, Skyy Moore (kick returner) TE (3): Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Josh Whyle OL (9): Jordan Morgan, Aaron Banks, Sean Rhyan, Anthony Belton, Zach Tom, Darian Kinnard, Jager Burton, Jacob Monk, Travis Glover EDGE (5): Lukas Van Ness, Brenton Cox Jr., Barryn Sorrell, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Collin Oliver DT (6): Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Javon Hargrave, Warren Brinson, Chris McClellan, Nazir Stackhouse LB (5): Zaire Franklin, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty'Ron Hopper, Nick Niemann CB (5): Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Brandon Cisse, Benjamin St-Juste, Domani Jackson S (5): Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Kitan Oladapo, Jonathan Baldwin II SPECIALISTS (4): Lucas Havrisik (K), Trey Smack (K), Daniel Whelan (P), Matt Orzech (LS).
Needless to say, it's still very early in the decision-making process for the 53-man roster.
LaFleur and the coaching staff could see players surprise in training camp and preseason action.
However, this projection makes a lot of sense across the board.
Looking at the predicted roster, the Packers have a lot of reasons to be excited.
If they can remain in NFC contention until Parsons gets back to full health, they have a roster capable of winning a championship.
Only time will tell whether or not this is the season Green Bay gets back to the Super Bowl, but Gutekunst has done a nice job of building out a roster rounded with talent on both sides of the ball.
It will be interesting to see just how close Demovsky ends up being with his projections.