The Green Bay Packers were awfully busy on Sunday, as we expected they might be in the hours before NFL teams had to finalize their 53-man rosters for the start of the 2026 campaign. The team finally reached some sort of (temporary, at least) resolution regrading star running back Josh Jacobs, who was placed on the commissioner exempt list and awaits some sort of suspension stemming from a battery charge. Micah Parsons, meanwhile, was officially placed on the Reserve/PUP list, confirming what we already knew: that the star edge rusher would miss at least the first four games of the year as he comes back from last fall's ACL tear.
Those notable absences created plenty of opportunity, and GM Brian Gutekunst wasted no time rounding out his roster. That included some wheeling and dealing at quarterback, trading quarterback Kyle McCord to the Miami Dolphins and leaving Tyrod Taylor as the lone backup to Jordan Love. But QB is far from the only position Green Bay had to deal with; the Packers started camp with over 90 players, and you can only stash so many on the practice squad on your way down to 53.
As the dust settles and Green Bay's Week 1 depth chart emerges, here's everything to know about how the Packers are shaping up to start the year.
Packers 53-man depth chart after busy roster cut day
With the 53-man roster finalized, here's how we project the Packers depth chart to look for the first game of the regular season against the Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 13.
Offense
Position | Starter | Second team | Third team |
|---|---|---|---|
QB | Jordan Love | Tyrod Taylor | |
RB | Marshawn Lloyd | Chris Brooks | Kaleb Johnson |
WR | Christian Watson | J. Michael Sturdivant | |
WR | Jaylen Reed | Skyy Moore | |
WR | Matthew Golden | Bo Melton | |
TE | Tucker Kraft | Jonnu Smith | Josh Whyle/Mark Redman |
LT | Jordan Morgan | John Williams | |
LG | Aaron Banks | Jager Burton | |
C | Sean Rhyan | Jager Burton | |
RG | Jacob Monk | Donovan Jennings | |
RT | Zach Bako-Bewele | Anthony Belton | Travis Glover |
Jacobs' looming suspension clears the runway for camp breakout Marshawn Lloyd, who appears to be finally healthy enough to take advantage of his physical gifts. Savion Williams will start the season on IR, which opened the door for UDFA J. Michael Sturdivant to snatch a roster spot, while Mark Redman — acquired from the Rams on Sunday — makes the cut as the fourth tight end.
Defense
Position | Starter | Second team | Third team |
|---|---|---|---|
DE | Karl Brooks | Anthony Campbell | |
NT | Javon Hargrave | Jonathan Ford | |
DE | Devonte Wyatt | Warren Brinson | Chris McClellan |
EDGE | Barryn Sorrell | Brenton Cox Jr. | |
EDGE | Lukas Van Ness | Dani Dennis-Sutton | |
LB | Edgerrin Cooper | Ty'Ron Hopper | |
LB | Zaire Franklin | Isaiah McDuffie | Nick Niemann |
CB | Keisean Nixon | Brandon Cisse | |
CB | Carrington Valentine | Benjamin St-Juste | |
FS | Xavier McKinney | Kitan Oladapo | |
SS | Evan Williams | ||
NB | Javon Bullard |
With Parsons out, the pressure will be on both veterans like Lukas Van Ness to take a leap and rookies like Dani Dennis-Sutton to hit the ground running. Benjamin St-Juste and Brandon Cisse bring much-needed depth to the secondary as well.
Special teams
Position | Starter |
|---|---|
K | Trey Smack |
P | Daniel Whelan |
LS | Matt Orzech |
After years in Brandon McManus hell, Green Bay might finally have a kicking solution in sixth-round pick Trey Smack, who won the job going away with a sensational preseason performance.
Green Bay Packers roster cuts and trades, ranked
Packers trade Kyle McCord to the Dolphins
The Dolphins needed a quarterback, and the Packers believe in Love and Taylor. It really is that simple. If Love gets hurt, the Packers season is essentially over anyway. Green Bay winning a Super Bowl with their backup quarterback would be Foles-esque, and Taylor is not Nick Foles.
NFL suspends Packers RB Josh Jacobs
Jacobs was suspended over charges of battery and criminal damage to property, both misdemeanors, by the Brown County (Wis.) district attorney. Again, it's unclear if he actually did these things, but the NFL isn't taking any chances, putting him on the commissioner exempt list. Jacobs is also incredibly important to the Packers running game, obviously, so they added some depth.
Packers trade for RB Kaleb Johnson
The Packers liked Johnson a lot coming out of college. He was drafted in the third round out of Iowa by the Pittsburgh Steelers. On paper, he was a perfect fit for Arthur Smith's run scheme. It did not work, period. Johnson may be better as a depth piece in Green Bay, where he can play behind a more accomplished offensive line.
Packers trade for TE Mark Redman
Redman might not be a household name, but he could wind up playing a pivotal role on this Packers team thanks to his blocking prowess. Green Bay already has plenty of receiving talent at that spot in the returning Tucker Kraft and Jonnu Smith. With Luke Musgrave battling a mysterious neck ailment, though, and Josh Whyle not exactly setting the world on fire, Redman is a very willing and able blocker who can play in two- and three-TE sets to help unlock Matt LaFleur's running game.
Complete list of Green Bay Packers roster cuts
- Safety Tra Fluellen (released to make room for Jonnu Smith)
- Long snapper Cal Adomitis
- Offensive tackle Brant Banks
- Tight end Messiah Swinson
- Linebacker TJ Quinn
- Wide receiver Kaden Prather
- Running back Damien Martinez
- Wide receiver Kisean Johnson
- Safety Mark Perry
- Cornerback Shemar Bartholomew
- Safety Murvin Kenion III
- Cornerback Jaylin Simpson
- Linebacker Kristian Welch
- Running back Jaden Nixon
- Quarterback Kyle McCord
- Cornerback Domani Jackson
- Cornerback MJ Devonshire
- Tight end Thomas Yassmin expected to go on IR
- Wide receiver Isaiah Neyor
- Wide receiver Will Sheppard
- Defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy
- Offensive lineman Dalton Cooper
- Offensive lineman Dylan Barrett
- Running back Pierre Strong Jr.
- Edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly
- Tight end Drake Dabney
- Tight end McCallan Castles
- Defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse
- Offensive lineman Josh Gesky
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