According to a report from Jeremy Fowler, the Pittsburgh Steelers are trading Kaleb Johnson to the Packers. The move gives LaFleur another option in the backfield while Green Bay deals with growing uncertainty surrounding Josh Jacobs.

The timing of the trade is particularly important after Adam Schefter reported that the NFL is placing Jacobs on the commissioner’s exempt list because of his legal situation. That development could leave the Packers without one of their most important offensive weapons, making additional depth at running back a priority.

Packers trade for Kaleb Johnson

Green Bay’s decision to acquire Kaleb Johnson makes sense given the uncertainty surrounding Josh Jacobs. Johnson entered the NFL with significant expectations as a former first-round pick, but he never managed to establish himself as a major piece of the Steelers’ offense.

Pittsburgh ultimately decided to move on, but Johnson now gets an opportunity to revive his career in Green Bay. For LaFleur, the potential value is obvious. If Jacobs is unavailable, the Packers cannot afford to enter the season without another capable running back who can handle meaningful snaps. Kaleb gives Green Bay another option behind the rest of the depth chart and could see his role increase quickly depending on Jacobs’ situation.

What happened to Josh Jacobs?

The biggest question surrounding the Packers is now Josh Jacobs’ availability. The commissioner’s exempt list designation creates significant uncertainty about when Jacobs will be available to the team.

While the Packers will presumably continue monitoring the situation, LaFleur has to prepare for the possibility that his star running back could miss time. That makes the Johnson trade particularly important.

Green Bay has major expectations heading into the season, with Jordan Love leading an offense expected to compete in the NFC. Losing Jacobs without adding another experienced option would create unnecessary pressure on the rest of the unit. Johnson provides some insurance.

Packers’ depth chart with Kaleb Johnson

Kaleb Johnson immediately becomes an intriguing addition to Green Bay’s running back competition. His previous experience in Pittsburgh did not produce the impact expected from a former first-round selection, but the Packers could provide him with a fresh opportunity in a different offensive environment.

The situation could become even more important if Jacobs is unavailable as they have no big names to replace him. Instead of simply being another depth piece, Johnson could potentially become part of the Packers’ weekly offensive game plan.

For Pittsburgh, meanwhile, the trade represents another roster decision as the Steelers continue reshaping their team under Mike McCarthy. Johnson’s departure also creates another opportunity for the Steelers’ remaining running backs to establish themselves.

“NFL is placing Packers RB Josh Jacobs on the commissioner exempt list,” ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported on his X account. The NFL’s commissioner exempt list is “a special player status available to clubs only in unusual circumstances,” as stated in the league’s player personnel manual. In essence, it’s a paid-leave status that serves as a placeholder and doesn’t count against a team’s active 53-man roster.

With Jacobs being the latest addition to the list, he won’t take up a spot on the active roster. As long as he remains on the list, Jacobs is not allowed to play nor attend games. This means that, should he stay on the commissioner exempt list through Week 1, he will miss the Packers‘ season opener against the Minnesota Vikings. In turn, MarShawn Lloyd, the second-string halfback behind Jacobs, would get the starting nod.

Packers’ running backs could move up a spot

As long as Jacobs remains on the commissioner exempt list, the Packers must act as if he isn’t on the team. That means there could be a long line of halfbacks ready to earn promotions.

Third-year running back MarShawn Lloyd appears to be the main candidate to take over HB1 duties in case Jacobs misses games during the 2026 NFL season. However, Green Bay also traded for Jacobs’ potential replacement, Kaleb Johnson, so he could run away with the starting gig as well.

One thing is clear: The Packers knew Jacobs’ designation to paid leave was coming, and the move for Johnson was no coincidence. Chris Brooks is the other running back on the team’s depth chart, which, as of this moment, doesn’t include Jacobs. His new status has effectively cast him aside from the team’s lineup.

Three players on exempt list, three more under review

Although Schefter reported there will be no more players added to the commissioner exempt list on Sunday, he couldn’t confirm or deny whether there would be a new addition in the coming days.

Along with Jacobs, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Terrion Arnold and Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathan Cooper have been added to the list, meaning they are currently sidelined, too.

Meanwhile, the league is still reviewing the situations surrounding Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and offensive lineman Alaric Jackson, as well as Baltimore Ravens wideout Rashod Bateman.

“I fully anticipate him being a member of our team,” the head coach revealed to the media following his team’s final preseason victory. On September 13, Green Bay will visit U.S. Bank Stadium.

“I can’t really comment on that because I don’t know,” LaFleur stated on the RB’s availability. Jacobs is one of the key leaders of the Packers’ backfield and a reliable target for Jordan Love. Now, it remains to be seen whether he will ultimately be available for his team’s season opener.

The Packers’ powerful backfield

Although Jacobs has established himself as one of the most powerful running backs in the NFC in recent years, the Packers can take pride in having a formidable backfield to lean on. Love, who frequently relies on this group, will have this area of the field well covered.

The first name behind No. 8 on the depth chart is MarShawn Lloyd, followed by Chris Brooks further down the list. Pierre Strong Jr., Damien Martinez, and Jaden Nixon round out the group.

A good final test for Green Bay

The Packers wrapped up their 2026 preseason in absolute thriller fashion, pulling off a wild 42-38 comeback win over the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. With Matt LaFleur resting his starters to evaluate final roster spots, rookie quarterback Kyle McCord emerged as the clear star of the night.

Down by 11 points late in the fourth quarter, McCord put on a clinic, finishing 22-of-35 for 226 yards, four touchdowns, and a 119.5 passer rating—including two clutch touchdown passes to Kisean Johnson in the final minutes to seal the victory.

Between McCord’s poise under pressure and dynamic playmaking from receivers J.Michael Sturdivant (6 catches, 112 yards, 1 TD) and Will Sheppard (81-yard punt return TD), Green Bay’s offense showed absurd depth, giving LaFleur plenty of positive headaches as front-office roster cuts loom.

How to watch Packers vs Cardinals in the USA

The Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals preseason game will be available in the United States through Fubo and NFL+.

Can I watch Packers vs Cardinals for free?

Fubo offers a 5-day free trial for eligible new subscribers, making it the option to check for a free way to watch Packers vs. Cardinals. Trial eligibility and the offer displayed at signup should be confirmed before subscribing.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Packers vs. Cardinals preseason finale is less about the final score and more about the decisions it can influence before the regular season. With roster cuts approaching, Friday’s game gives both coaching staffs one last extended look at players competing for jobs, particularly those who have not yet secured a place on the 53-man roster.

For Green Bay, the matchup also comes after the Packers and Cardinals held a joint practice in Green Bay on August 26, giving both teams additional competitive work before their preseason meeting.

Arizona head coach Mike LaFleur spoke ahead of the session about the value of facing another team rather than simply continuing training-camp drills, while the Cardinals have used camp to evaluate several position battles under their new head coach.

The Cardinals have particular interest in the final evaluation period as they continue building under first-year head coach LaFleur. Arizona’s training camp has featured competition across the roster, while the organization has also been working through its quarterback situation with Kyler Murray and Jacoby Brissett.

What time is the Packers vs Cardinals match?

The Packers vs. Cardinals game kicks off on Friday, August 28, at 8:00 PM ET. The game will be played at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, with the local kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM CT.

• Eastern Time: 8:00 PM
• Central Time: 7:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 6:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 5:00 PM

The Green Bay Packers will rest their starters. This means Jordan Love won’t play, instead Kyle McCord will play vs Cardinals. Love, who has been a bit injury prone in his career, must be taken care of and not risked in a meaningless game.

This means backup Tyrod Taylor won’t be playing either. Taylor is more than just a proven veteran, he is a premium backup. Hence, the Packers are trying to see if McCord is worth developing as a QB3.

Is Jacoby Brissett playing for Cardinals vs Packers?

Jacoby Brissett is not playing either, as it seems like a lock that he’ll be the QB1 once the regular season starts. Hence, it will be Gardner Minshew under center against the Packers.

Carson Beck is unlikely to play as he has an ongoing rib injury. The rookie was impressing throughout preseason and this injury has given him a huge momentum stall.

The LaFleur brothers face very different situation

Matt LaFleur has done great with the Packers but he’s also been criticized a bit due to his lack of creativity when playcalling and the fact that he has not been able to win it all with the Packers. Therefore, pressure is on him.

Meanwhile, Mike LaFleur is a first year head coach with a franchise that is not expected to shine at all. He must change the culture and the ways of the Cardinals to turn it all around.

Being placed on the exempt list means Jacobs is placed on indefinite paid leave until the investigation is over. Meanwhile, this is the Packers’ RB depth chart without Jacobs:

• MarShawn Lloyd
• Kaleb Johnson
• Chris Brooks

Josh Jacobs’ stats in 2025 for the Packers

Josh Jacobs was key for the Packers in 2025, but his role for this season is still up in the air. Last season, Jacobs led the team in touches by more than 100 touches. Jacobs also led the team with 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns.

To make it even clearer, he was the only player with over 1,000 yards and the only player with more than six touchdowns. Only time will tell us whether he’s ultimately eligible for Week 1.

Lloyd is a talented yet unreliable backup for Jacobs

MarShawn Lloyd possesses immense explosive potential, but his chronic unreliability due to injuries has left the Green Bay Packers in a ‘wait-and-see‘ mode behind Jacobs.

Lloyd has missed basically the whole of his first two years due to a staggering string of injuries, including hip, hamstring, ankle, groin, calf, and appendix issues. Hence, if he’s needed, he could be good as long as he avoids any new injuries.

Kaleb Johnson could be a silver lining for the Packers

The trade between the Packers and Steelers for Kaleb Johnson was reported by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Without Jacobs, they need depth, and while Johnson didn’t have a great rookie year, he was a highly-touted prospect out of college and he is young.

For Johnson, this is a bounce back opportunity. He only played 62 snaps after Week 2. Johnson has upside, but he has to be better at pass blocking. On the Packers, he will have the chance without Jacobs and with an injury prone back like Lloyd.

LaFleur revealed a fun tradition he wants the Cardinals to take part in upon arriving at Packers camp, per Donnie Druin of On SI. “It’s a cool place. They got the bikes with the kids and stuff like that, and that’s for a cool cause for the locals. And so we’ll do that too, just like a lot of the other teams do when they joint [practice]. And then there’s a ton of fans there. I mean, it’s Green Bay. What else you gonna do?” LaFleur said.

The Cardinals have gone through three preseason games so far under LaFleur, who was not happy with the squad’s recent performance against the Dallas Cowboys. Now, he prepares to face his brother, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.

Igniting the matchup

Older brother Matt set things in motion on Monday by discussing players fighting for roster spots, noting that high stakes could lead to issues during joint practice.

Matt jokingly proposed a solution: if an issue arises, Packers players should tag him in while the Cardinals tag their head coach to “throw down” at the 50-yard line. Mike heard his brother’s comments two minutes before taking the microphone on Monday and offered his response.

Mike initially offered no comment on his brother’s challenge, but left the door open by adding, “We’ll see what happens.” When the joint practice was first announced months ago, the rookie head coach spoke about the excitement of facing his brother while confirming his competitive focus. “I love ya, but I’m going to kick your a**,” Mike said at the time.

The brothers have always maintained a close relationship centered on football, with their career paths frequently intersecting. Most notably, both served on the coaching staff for the Atlanta Falcons during the 2015-16 NFL season, where Matt served as quarterbacks coach and Mike worked as an offensive assistant.

“I just got beat up a little bit,” the cornerback said, via Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. “Nothing serious at all. I was trying to go back in. Just being precautionary. I’m fine. Nothing to worry about. I wanted to go back in.”

Selected with the No. 52 pick in the second round out of the South Carolina Gamecocks, Cisse is widely expected to be considered for the starting RCB role. The battle with Carrington Valentine will be neck and neck, and being in top physical condition will be key to winning it.

LaFleur’s options in the secondary

Matt LaFleur is placing a lot of trust in his defense, particularly in a secondary that can provide not only talent, but also physicality, dynamism, and versatility. With that in mind, these are the names the coach will have at his disposal.

Cornerbacks

Safeties

What’s next for the Packers?

The Packers opened the preseason with a convincing 28-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, while their second outing ended on a high note with a 33-13 victory over the Denver Broncos. Now, their final preseason game will take place on August 28 at Lambeau Field against the Arizona Cardinals.

From there, all the focus will shift to the start of the 2026 NFL season, which will be anything but easy. They will have to visit U.S. Bank Stadium to face the Minnesota Vikings in a divisional rivalry game on September 13.

How to watch Broncos vs Packers in the USA

The Broncos vs. Packers preseason game will be broadcast live on NFL Network in the United States. For viewers who prefer to stream the game, NFL+ and Fubo are two official options.

Can I watch Broncos vs Packers for free?

Eligible new Fubo customers can watch Broncos vs. Packers through the free trial. It currently offers a free trial of up to five days, and its official listing confirms that the preseason matchup will be available through the service.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers meet in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL Preseason, with both teams using the matchup to evaluate their rosters and build toward the regular season. Denver enters after a convincing 27-7 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, while Green Bay is looking to respond after a 28-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in its preseason opener.

For the Broncos, the biggest storyline is the continued return of Bo Nix, who missed the end of last season with an ankle injury but has reported feeling fully healthy during training camp. Denver will also continue assessing its offensive chemistry and depth after an impressive first preseason outing.

Green Bay has more questions surrounding its personnel heading into the second preseason game. Jordan Love played only five passing plays against Pittsburgh, completing three of five attempts for 18 yards, while several players — including Josh Jacobs, Chris Brooks, Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave — were sidelined by injuries. Jacobs has since returned to practice, making his availability one of the key situations to monitor in Denver.

What time is the Broncos vs Packers match?

The game kicks off on Friday, August 21, at 9:00 PM ET. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 9:00 PM
• Central Time: 8:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 7:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 6:00 PM

Per the Broncos PR team, Bo Nix will make his preseason debut vs Packers. As expected, Sean Payton said Nix will play around 14 snaps against Green Bay. “It’s always a blast to play at home,” Nix said on Tuesday’s press conference.

Friday’s game is the first time quarterback Bo Nix will hear play calls from new offensive coordinator Davis Webb during a live match scenario. Hence, even if just for 14 snaps, this could be a sign of things to come, for good or bad.

Is Jordan Love playing for Packers vs Broncos?

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said earlier this week the plan is for the starters, including quarterback Jordan Love, to play Friday night against the Broncos. It is clear that the starters won’t play much, but they’re also changing stuff in the coaching staff. For instance, Sean Mannion left his QB coach role to become the offensive coordinator in Philadelphia.

As for Love, the playcaller is still LaFleur, so he should be in a known environment in that regard. Still, preseason is to get into competing rhythm, not to go all out. The main goal here is to leave healthy.

Nix and Love need to show they can lift the ceiling

Both the Broncos and Packers know they have upside quarterbacks on their rosters. However, they are not regarded as top-tier, elite signal-callers. It’s now up to both Nix and Love to guide the rosters to the promised land.

In the case of Nix, he has a stacked roster to join him. Meanwhile, Love has a bit lesser receiving corp, but the Packers are still regarded as an NFC contender, and Love is tasked with guiding them all the way.

Per Rob Demovsky of ESPN, Kraft revealed the role the Packers will give him in the first few weeks. “They’re going to take into account my rep range probably until halfway through the season, and then they’re going to just pat me on the ass and send me out there and send me to the wolves,” Kraft said.

However, this doesn’t mean he will be on a snap count. In fact, he later added “Well our job right now is to build my rep range so I’m capable of that [not being on a rep count] Week 1.“

Tucker Kraft rose to tight end’s top tier last season

Before getting injured, Tucker Kraft was having a career year last season. The Packers relied on him heavily. On eight games, he had 32 catches for 489 yards and six touchdowns. Then, his ACL tear happened.

Kraft will enter his fourth year in the NFL, and at 26 years old, he is still young enough to recover properly and go on a roll. Kraft is 6’5″, 259 lbs and surprisingly fast too. He is a key weapon for the Packers when healthy.

Packers updated TE depth chart

If the Packers want to ease Kraft into action, they’ll have to lean into the rest of the tight ends available on their roster. Hence, who are these options for the Packers to trust?

• Tucker Kraft
• Josh Whyle
• Luke Musgrave
• Drake Dabney
• McCallan Castles
• Messiah Swinson
• Thomas Yassmin