Green Bay Packers 2026 Offseason Outlook

Matt LaFleur has won 76 regular-season games in his first seven seasons as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. With an overall record of 76-40-1, it would be crqzy to think LaFleur might be on the hot seat — but that seems to have been the case after Green Bay limped to a 9-7-1 finish in 2025. LaFleur’s Packers won the NFC North title in each of his first three seasons at the helm, so the fact they’ve gone four years without a division title has fans restless — especially with the arch-rival Bears coming out of nowhere in 2025 to take first place.

Of course, the most important development of the offseason will be the progress of Micah Parsons’ rehabilitation from a torn ACL that effectively ended the Packers’ 2025 season. Green Bay was 9-3-1 and in position to win the division when Parsons — who had been acquired in a blockbuster deal with the Dallas Cowboys before the season — tore his ACL. With Parsons out of the lineup, the Packers lost their last four regular-season games and then lost a classic first-round playoff game to the Bears.

Early reports are that Parsons is ahead of schedule in his rehab. When he does return to action, Parsons will be leading a defense run by new coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who had been the Cardinals head coach. Gannon replaces highly regarded defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who became the Miami Dolphins head coach.

On offense, meanwhile, it will be interesting to see if quarterback Jordan Love misses quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion, who got a lot of credit for Love’s development before the Eagles hired him away as their new offensive coordinator.

2025 recap

When the Packers sent two first-round picks and veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark to the Cowboys for Parsons, it certainly felt like a “win now” move. And there were certainly points in this season in which the Packers looked like serious Super Bowl contenders. And it was Parsons leading the way. Putting constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks, Parsons helped Green Bay allow an average of 19.0 points per game. But in the five games without Parsons, they allowed 28.8 points per game.

The offense, meanwhile, was middle of the pack — they finished 15th in total offense and 16th in scoring offense. Jordan Love averaged 225.4 passing yards per game. Even with the addition of first-round pick Matthew Golden, the receiving corps was less than spectacular — and the offense clearly missed tight end Tucker Kraft when he went down with a torn ACL in Week 9. Josh Jacobs, after rushing for 1,329 yards in 2024, had 929 last season.

Key free agents

OT Rasheed Walker
CB Trevon Diggs
LB Quay Walker
QB Malik Willis
WR Romeo Doubs
CB Bo Melton

Packers salary cap space

($1,436,657)

2026 draft needs

Even with the expected return of Parsons, the Packers’ defense can use more help — specifically a run stuffer to bolster the interior defensive line and a cornerback to help the pass defense. The offensive line can use some attention, especially if they don’t re-sign free agent tackle Rasheed Walker. And if free-agent quarterback Malik Willis moves on, the Packers might consider a QB prospect to develop as a backup.

2026 opponents

Home:Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Dallas, Houston, Miami

Away:Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, L.A. Rams, New England, New Orleans, N.Y. Jets, Tampa Bay