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.

Jordan Love spoke on Tuesday and it seems like the QB will play vs Steelers even if it’s limited snaps. “Me and Matt [LaFleur] have talked, and I think the plan is to play some limited role this week and see how it goes going forward,” Love said.

LaFleur also stated that for him, it’s important that his players are always ready to roll. He said it’s important to be “mentally ready to go play a game, whether it’s one play, whether it’s three plays, 10 plays, the whole game.“

Love should be very cautious vs Steelers

Last year, Jordan Love played in preseason vs the New York Jets and it was not good. He suffered an injury on the ulnar collateral ligament of his thumb. Thankfully for him, it was on the left hand (non-throwing) and he was able to recover in time for a Week 1 appearance.

Still, those are the risks of playing your franchise quarterback in preseason. Love is aware of this. “The main thing is to stay healthy, obviously,” Love said. “Avoid taking hits. If you get into a scramble situation, definitely not take any hits outside the pocket, anything like that.”

Is Aaron Rodgers playing today vs Packers?

Aaron Rodgers sent a strong message to Mike McCarthy about what preseason football means to him. While it would be poetic to see McCarthy and Rodgers playing against the very team in which they won the Super Bowl together, it’s unlikely.

As for now, it’s been labeled as a game-time decision, but Rodgers is not one to play during preseason. The last time Rodgers played a preseason game was in 2023 when he was with the Jets. He played two offensive series, completing 5/8 passes for 47 yards and throwing a 14-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson.

NFL franchises frequently tap into the United Football League (UFL) to evaluate talent ahead of the regular season. For Prather, signing with Green Bay represents a earned second chance to prove he belongs at the highest level.

Originally selected by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round (240th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft, Prather was released with an injury settlement prior to the season. He subsequently joined the UFL’s Louisville Kings for their 2026 campaign, helping the team secure a United Bowl championship. During the regular season, the 6-foot-3, 209-pound target recorded 148 receiving yards on nine receptions across nine games.

Navigating a crowded Green Bay receiver room

Prather’s arrival is aimed at boosting competition and providing training camp insurance for a wide receiver corps that has dealt with nagging injuries over recent seasons.

• Top rotation: Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and rookie standout Matthew Golden form the core passing targets for Jordan Love.
• Secondary Depth: Savion Williams, Bo Melton, and Skyy Moore occupy key rotational roles on offense and special teams.

Currently sitting lower on the early depth chart, Prather faces an uphill battle to secure a spot on the final 53-man roster. However, his physical frame and recent championship experience give head coach Matt LaFleur and the coaching staff a intriging perimeter weapon to evaluate during upcoming preseason action.

Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Packers are looking to extend Tucker Kraft, who is in the final year of his rookie deal. The only concern comes with Kraft’s knee injury. Kraft suffered an ACL tear in 2025 where he was on pace to get a career-year.

However, recent reports put Kraft in a good timeline to start in Week 1 for the Packers. Given that Kraft is a big guy, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 259 lbs, the surgically-repaired knee will be in big tests to see if it can withstand the intensity.

Kraft is a difference-maker

The fact is that before he got injured, Kraft was undoubtedly a top-tier weapon for Jordan Love in the Packers offense. Hence, it’s not shocking to see the Packers are trusting the recovery and already looking to give him an extension.

Kraft played eight games where he racked up 32 receptions, 489 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns. He was the second-best receiver up until that point only behind wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who is no longer on the team.

Kraft is aiming to follow the footsteps of two greats

Usually, tight ends are not able to deliver the goods straight after recovering from an ACL tear. However, greats like Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce were able to have very good seasons after tearing their ACLs.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the move, though the contractual details haven’t been revealed yet. What is definitely true is that Taylor is coming into a QB2 capacity after being a starter in the second half of the season on the Jets.

With Taylor behind starting QB Jordan Love, the Packers released Desmond Ridder in a corresponding move. This means Kyle McCord and Kyron Drones close the depth chart. Taylor should definitely be above Ridder in the quality department.

Is Tyrod Taylor a good replacement for Malik Willis?

Malik Willis was so good as Jordan Love’s backup that he earned a starting quarterback contract with the Miami Dolphins. Is Tyrod Taylor a good fit then? Taylor has started 62 games, so he is much more experienced than Willis in that department.

However, Taylor turns 37 before the season begins, and while somewhat mobile, Willis is much more explosive with his feet. He is a reliable backup to Jordan Love, but the playbook should be less physically-demanding with him than it was with Willis.

The Packers know they need a good backup

Some teams kind of disregard the QB2 matter, but the Packers know they can’t do that with Jordan Love. He’s missed time the last two seasons, and given that they are a playoff team, they can’t afford to throw away games if Love is not fit.

Hence, with Willis out, the Packers now needed to ensure they had a solid backup in place. Tyrod Taylor is that. He is a reliable veteran capable of winning a couple of games if needed. The Packers were clever to sign him.

“Many teams in this league are only as good as your guy pulling the trigger, so we feel like we’re very fortunate to have one of those guys that I think the sky’s the limit for him,” LaFleur said to NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo.

Achieving good results isn’t just about talent. Often, the connection and human relationships can play a crucial role in fostering strong performance on the field.

“We trust each other quite a bit. I would say our relationship’s really strong. It’s been cool to watch his evolution, not only as a player but as a man. From the time we drafted him to where he is now, and he’s about to be a dad here really, really soon in a couple weeks. But he’s really developed into a really good leader for us.”

Love owes a Super Bowl

Despite racking up 10,929 passing yards, 80 touchdowns, and a solid 27-19-1 record over three years as the Packers’ starter, Jordan Love has yet to reach a Super Bowl. While he has consistently led Green Bay to the postseason with three playoff trips and only 28 interceptions, championship success remains the final hurdle for the star quarterback as he enters the 2026 season.

LaFleur remains a force in Green Bay

The Green Bay Packers signed Matt LaFleur to a multi-year contract extension (expected to earn approximately $15 million per year) in January 2026, securing his leadership after a 9-7-1 season. Despite the latest Wild Card exit, the organization prioritized stability for Jordan Love by locking in the coach who holds a dominant 76-40-1 career record.

After the 2025 NFL season, rumors swirled about the Packers potentially parting ways with Matt LaFleur. Surprisingly, the club went the other way and gave him a multi-year extension that will reportedly pay him around $9 million per year.

The move shocked many, including Packers fans. However, quarterback Jordan Love believes it was a smart decision, as consistency and avoiding a new system are key for him to perform at a peak level.

“Being able to keep Matt around is awesome, and I’m very happy about that,” QB Jordan Love told Kyle Malzahn of WFRV. “It’s a lot to learn a whole new system and new terminology. As a quarterback, being in the same system, the same terminology, it definitely helps me out.”

Matt LaFleur needs to prove his worth

Matt LaFleur has been the Packers’ head coach since 2019, achieving a 76-40-1 record (.654). However, postseason success has continuously eluded Green Bay.

The Packers have reached the Conference Championship twice under LaFleur’s guidance, losing in 2019 to the 49ers and a year later to the Buccaneers. This is why LaFleur is being so heavily criticized by fans and analysts.

Last year, the front office invested two first-round picks to acquire Micah Parsons, who unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury. However, with a healthy roster, expectations are sky-high for Green Bay in 2026.

Jordan Love also faces significant pressure

Not only is Matt LaFleur under the spotlight, but so is Jordan Love. The quarterback’s talents are undeniable, but he currently lacks the “clutch” factor that separates elite signal-callers from the rest of the pack.

In three years as a starter, Love has taken the Packers to the playoffs each season. Nevertheless, with that experience, fans are demanding he step up and finally become the franchise quarterback they expect him to be.

At a time when teams are looking to lock in their key players, release others, or evaluate potential moves, Matt LaFleur will have one of his top defensive assets for a few more years.

Adam Schefter revealed via X: “Just ahead of free agency, the Packers and OT Sean Rhyan reached agreement on a three-year, $33 million extension with a max value of $39 million.

“The deal contains an $11 million signing bonus, and prevents Rhyan from hitting the free-agent market. The deal was negotiated by Sam Mirza, Cameron Foster and Chris Cabott.”

Love, the biggest beneficiary

Sean Rhyan’s extension is a major win for Jordan Love’s protection, especially following Rhyan’s seamless transition to center last season. After taking over the pivot in 2025, the former UCLA standout anchored an offensive line that allowed Love to finish with a 101.2 passer rating, surrendering only one sack over his final nine starts.

By stabilizing the interior and reducing interior pressure, Rhyan’s development has directly enabled Love’s career-low 1.4% interception rate, securing a high-level pocket for the Packers‘ offense heading into 2026.

Last offseason, the Packers entered win-now mode by trading two first-round picks to the Dallas Cowboys for Micah Parsons. The bold move, however, did not produce the expected results, as the star pass rusher suffered a season-ending injury in early December.

Despite that setback, Green Bay believes its championship window remains open. Even without a first-round pick this year, the organization is determined to strengthen the roster around Love, and the draft may represent its best opportunity to do so.

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst hints at aggressive draft strategy

Entering an NFL Draft without a first-round pick is far from ideal. The Packers sacrificed significant draft capital for Parsons, hoping the addition would accelerate their path to contention.

After falling short of expectations in 2025, questions naturally emerged about the long-term impact of that trade. With no first-round picks in 2026 or 2027, the pressure is mounting on the front office to maximize every opportunity available.

However, lacking a first-round selection does not necessarily mean staying put. General manager Brian Gutekunst has indicated the Packers will evaluate all top prospects, hinting that moving up into the first round remains a possibility if the right prospect becomes available.

“It’s important that we don’t skip any of those steps,” GM Brian Gutekunst said on analyzing all top prospects, via Packers.com. “Getting to know these players inside and out, whether it be for this draft or going into free agency and their professional career is really, really important for us. So the groundwork that our scouts do on these players in college really does carry over quite a bit into our pro scouting staff and how we look at these players.

“It’s about winning now. If there’s players who we can sign that give us the opportunity to win now more so than holding out for a compensatory pick in 2027, that’s the decision we’re going to make. It’s a factor, but the most important thing is our ability to win in 2026.”

Packers’ key needs for the 2026 season

Green Bay has assembled a competitive roster around Jordan Love, but the 2026 offseason presents new challenges. Offensive linemen Sean Rhyan and Rasheed Walker are both set to enter free agency, making the offensive line a priority area of concern.

Protecting Love will be essential to the team’s success moving forward. For that reason, the Packers are expected to closely monitor top offensive line prospects and could consider trading up to secure a player capable of making an immediate impact.

According to an announcement on the Packers’ official website, Rich Bisaccia has stepped down as assistant head coach and special teams coordinator, meaning Matt LaFleur will now need to find a replacement.

In fact, it was the head coach himself who released a statement on Tuesday regarding the situation, in which he expressed his disappointment over Bisaccia’s departure while wishing him the very best for what lies ahead.

“While we are disappointed to lose a person and coach as valuable as Rich, we respect his decision to step down from the Packers. Rich was a tremendous resource to me and our entire coaching staff who had a profound impact on our players and our culture throughout the building. We can’t thank him enough for his contributions to our team over the last four years. We wish Rich, his wife, Jeanne, and the rest of their family all the best moving forward.”

A Super Bowl champion departs

Rich Bisaccia earned his Super Bowl XXXVII ring as the Special Teams Coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Under head coach Jon Gruden, Bisaccia’s disciplined units played a crucial role in the team’s dominant 2002 championship season, helping secure the franchise’s first-ever title with a victory over the Oakland Raiders.

Surrounding Love in the best possible way

To maximize Jordan Love’s potential and keep the Packers as top contenders in 2026, the front office must prioritize fortifying the offensive line and adding a true shutdown cornerback.

While Love has proven his elite leadership and vertical passing ability, reports suggest that inconsistent interior protection and a lack of defensive depth led to late-season struggles last year.

By securing his blindside and pairing their young, explosive receiving corps with a more imposing defense, Green Bay can provide Love with the structural stability needed to lead a deep Super Bowl run.

Packers defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, will be in Miami next week for a second interview. In fact, he is now the betting favorite to become the Dolphins’ next head coach. This was reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Hafley is a known face for new Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. He was the Packers’ VP of player personnel. Therefore, he has worked with Hafley before. It’s also been reported that is believed both Hafley and Sullivan have a very good working relationship. He was the one in charge of defense while Jordan Love tried to make things on offense.

Hafley has done merits to become a HC in the NFL

Even Matt LaFleur admitted Hafley could leave the Packers. The 46-year-old has been the defensive coordinator of the Packers the last couple of years. He has done good. In 2024, the defense was a top 10 unit in almost every key category. In this 2025, it was borderline top 10 despite having a plethora of injuries to deal with.

Hafley has experience at the collegiate level as a head coach. He had the job at Boston College for four years prior to accepting his role at the Packers. Hafley worked for Chip Kelly, LaFleur, and Kyle Shanahan, among others. He has great promise to be a top coach.

The Dolphins really need Hafley’s defensive prowess

Miami had a bottom 10 total defense, the seventh-worst rushing defense, and a bottom 10 scoring defense. Hafley needs to right the ship and one could assume plenty of personnel changes must be made on the defensive roster.

Miami has eight draft picks this year, and one must suppose many of them will be used on defensive players. However, the team can’t ignore the need to solve the issue at quarterback, as Tua Tagovailoa‘s time at the team seems to be done. It’s not an easy job to accept, but Hafley might be up for the task.