Five Green Bay Packers Who Could Play a Bigger Role in 2026

Change is inevitable in the NFL. Each season, players come and go, and new players take their role in the lineup. The Green Bay Packers are no exception. Here is a look at five Packers players who have a realistic chance to play a bigger role on the team in 2026. Players who are not presently under contract or are already established starters but missed time due to injury are not included on this list.

Five Packers Who Could Play a Bigger Role in 2026, Number Five: DE Barryn Sorrell

Rookie Barryn Sorrell played 14 games for the Packers in 2025 and started one. He finished the season with 1.5 sacks and 15 total tackles including one tackle for loss. He also recovered a fumble and recorded three quarterback hits. Sorrell played just 20 percent of the Packers defensive snaps in the games he appeared in.

The Packers are expecting turnover this offseason at the defensive end position. Starter Rashan Gary may not be back due to his high cap hit and low production in the second half of the season. Kingsley Enagbare served as the top reserve in the rotation and will be an unrestricted free agent next month unless the Packers re-sign him.

This combined with a potential second-year jump by Sorrell gives the Texas alum a chance for a bigger role in 2026.

Number Four: LB Ty’Ron Hopper

Ty’Ron Hopper started just two games in his first two NFL seasons, seeing most of his action on special teams. The former Missouri star has a rare combination of speed and athleticism but has yet to establish himself as a starter on defense. The issue for Hopper has been mastering the playbook and making the right reads quickly.

In 2025, he made 24 total tackles including one tackle for loss. He also forced one fumble. Hopper was on the field for just 11 percent of the Packers defensive snaps. That number should go up next season with the potential departure of Quay Walker who will be an unrestricted free agent if the Packers don’t sign him to a new deal. This will be a pivotal season for Hopper’s career.

Five Packers Who Could Play a Bigger Role in 2026, Number Three: OL Anthony Belton

The Packers selected Anthony Belton in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The former NC State star played 14 games and started seven. Belton played tackle in college and was cross trained at tackle and guard in training camp.

When injuries struck along the offensive line, Belton filled in at different positions before establishing himself as the starting right guard in the second half of the season.

The scouting report on Belton said he was likely to start as a better run blocker than pass blocker. However, he received low grades across the board from Pro Football Focus and finished the season as one of the lowest qualified guards that they ranked.

The Packers could easily lose three starting offensive linemen this offseason so Belton should have a good chance to earn a starting spot in his second NFL campaign.

Number Two: OL Jordan Morgan

Jordan Morgan played both guard and tackle again in his second NFL season. He appears to play better at tackle. With Rasheed Walker likely departing via free agency this offseason, Morgan becomes the favorite to start at left tackle and protect the blindside of quarterback Jordan Love.

Switching so often between tackle and guard and playing on both the left and right side of the line has likely slowed Morgan’s progression in the NFL.

In his second season, Morgan graded out much better as a pass blocker than as a run blocker. He is already an average tackle according to PFF.

Five Packers Who Could Play a Bigger Role in 2026, Number One: WR Matthew Golden

Matthew Golden became the first wide receiver selected by the Packers in the first round of the NFL Draft in more than two decades. Despite the anticipation, he had an uneven first season in Green Bay.

Golden showed good hands and only dropped one pass all season. But he caught just 29 passes for 361 yards. His only touchdown of the season came in the playoff game against the Bears.

Golden saw the field more often early in the season when Christian Watson and Jayden Reed were both out of the lineup with injuries. When they returned, Golden was the field and the ball less often.

The Packers expect Golden to assume a bigger role in his second NFL season. If Romeo Doubs leaves via free agency, there will be a starting spot open that Golden would be the favorite to fill.