Breaking Down the Packers Biggest Remaining Position Battles

The Green Bay Packers are preparing for their final preseason game of the 2025 season. The team has most of their starters set, but there are still some positions and roster spots that are up for grabs. GM Brian Gutekunst has some difficult decisions to make. Today we are breaking down the Packers biggest remaining position battles, discussing who has the edge and what it will take to lock up the job in question.

Breaking Down the Packers Biggest Remaining Position Battles, Number Five: QB 3

The competition for the third quarterback spot continues to be a battle between Sean Clifford and Taylor Elgersma . Clifford will be entering his third season with the Packers. He served as the backup to Jordan Love in 2023 and then spent 2024 on the pr actice squad after he failed to impress in camp last season.

Elgersma has been making the adjustment to the NFL after playing college football in Canada. He earned an invitation to training camp after a strong showing at rookie camp this spring.

The outcome will likely depend on how the Packers view the third quarterback position. Clifford is more ready to play now because of his knowledge of the offense. Elgersma has more arm strength and overall physical tools than Clifford, but he needs more time to learn the NFL game.

If the Packers look at the position as developmental, Clifford likely earns the job. Clifford gets it if the Packers are more concerned with who could step in and play today. Elger sma has the edge as of now, pending the final preseason game.

Number Four: Running Back

Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson are fighting for the third running back spot. There are two questions surrounding the position: will the team keep three or four running backs is one. The second is whether MarShawn Lloyd will start the season on IR or on the roster.

Brooks runs well, but his strength is his ability to pass protect. It’s something Matt LaFleur values and he does it better than any other running back on the roster.

Wilson was the second-string running back last season and did a good job, gaining more than 500 yards.

Both players will make the roster if Lloyd starts the season on IR or if the Packers opt to keep four running backs. If they onl y keep three, Brooks’ blocking ability may give him the edge.

Breaking Down the Packers Biggest Remaining Position Battles, Number Three: Defensive Tackle

The Packers will likely keep five defensive tackles. Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt are the likely starters with Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden likely to remain as backups. However, the Packers still need someone to replace the departed T.J. Slaton as a run stopping nose tackle.

The two main candidates for the spot are sixth-round pick Warren Brinson and undrafted free agent Nazir Stackhouse. The two former college teammates at Georgia are in direct competition for one spot on the roster, although the Packers will likely try to get the other player onto their practice squad.

Stackhouse has a body type and skill set that closely resembles Slaton’s. He can occupy multiple blockers and hold his ground at the line of scrimmage. He has the edge to be the run-s tuffing nose tackle as we head into the final preseason game.

Number Two: Linebacker

The battle for the fifth linebacker spot on the roster will be between Isaiah Simmons and Kristian Welch.

The Packers signed Simmons as an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The former eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft has great speed and athleticism but has never translated that to consistent production at the NFL level. He’s played both safety and linebacker at the NFL level, but the Packers have him playing exclusively at linebacker.

Simmons has played well at times in training camp, but he’s looked lost in both preseason games. He just hasn’t been able to convert his talent into productivity and h as difficulty reading plays and carrying out his assignments.

Welch lacks Simmons’ elite athleticism but is smart, tough, and consistent. He knows his role and gets the job done. He has played well this preseason and made his share of plays in the past when called upon to play defense. Both Welch and Simmons play extensively on special teams.

Right now, the edge goes to Welch although Gutekunst will likely want to keep Simmons and his enticing abilities.

Breaking Down the Packers Biggest Remaining Position Battles, Number One: Left Tackle

Rasheed Walker started at left tackle over the last two seasons and remains the incumbent. He beat out 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan last year. Early in camp, Walker was the clear-cut starter at left tackle. However, when Walker missed time due to injury, Morgan stepped in and played well at left tackle.

Both players will make the team. If Walker doesn’t win the job, he’ll be the swing tackle. If Morgan fails to win the starting left tackle spot, he could also compete with Sean Rhyan at right guard. He would likely be the first player off the bench if anybody got injured on the offensive line at any position except center.

Right now, Walker remains the slightly ahead, but the race is getting closer. The coaches may ultimately rotate the two candidates by series much like they did at right guard over the past two seasons.