Packers Training Camp Primer 2026: Focus on the Defense!

Over the past couple of seasons, the Packers have kept a total of 11 defensive linemen. Last season, the initial 53-man roster had five edge rushers and six interior guys. Even though the Packers are likely to go back to a 3-4 defense under Gannon, I would expect these numbers to stay the same. Also, the impact of Micah Parsons starting the season on PUP could also affect these numbers. But, I kinda doubt it.

So, if we stick to those numbers, who makes the roster and what are some competitions to be aware of?

Edge

So, if there are five guys likely to make the team at edge, and we are excluding Micah Parsons because he will likely start the season on PUP, then this effectively makes it where there is only one spot in this edge group up for grabs. Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, Dani Dennis-Sutton, and Collin Oliver are either 100% locks to make the team or very close to it.

This leaves one spot for Brenton Cox Jr., Nyjalik Kelly, Arron Mosby, and Dante Barnett (who is the international player). Honestly, I can also see the Packers adding to this room for that last spot as well. Cox and Mosby have both played for this Packers team for the past couple of seasons but really haven’t shown much growth. So, unless someone shows improvement, I just have a hard time believeing that this is what the Packers go with. Packers have been linked to players like Jadeveon Clowney.

Interior Defensive Line

More likely the interior defensive line group will have six guys make it. Five guys are likely to make the 53-man roster to begin the season on the interior defensive line. Javon Hargrave, Chris McClellan, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, and Warren Brinson are those five. That leaves one spot for the others to fight for. I am excluding Jordan Riley from this group as he is still recovering from his achilles injury.

Anthony Campbell, Jaden Crumedy, Jonathan Ford, and Nazir Stackhouse will all compete for that last spot. Stackhouse was last year’s camp darling, but when he did get play last season, it didn’t really go too well. Ford is my guess for that last spot, but a lot is yet to be determined.

Off-Ball Linebackers

Green Bay will more than likely keep five off-ball linebackers heading into the 2026 season. Edgerrin Cooper and Zaire Franklin are the only two that are guaranteed to make this team. This makes the linebacker group wide open for others to make the team. However, under the 90-man roster, the Packers only have seven total linebackers.

Meaning out of those seven only two won’t make the team, theoretically. The linebackers’ ability to play on special teams will likely matter a lot. That has Kristian Welch written all over it. I will also say that Isaiah McDuffie is a near lock to make this team. The Packers like him a lot. That leaves Ty’Ron Hopper, TJ Quinn, and Nick Niemann. Hopper is a 3rd round draft pick, but it’s been a few years now and so the Packers will likely not give him the benefit of the doubt. He will have to earn his spot on this team.

Packers Cornerbacks

This is probably the most controversial position on the entire Packers roster. Regardless of what fans think, Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine will make this roster. So will Brandon Cisse and Benjamin St-Juste. This cornerback group isn’t as bad as most believe. Last year, the Packers kept six cornerbacks and that will continue this year. That leaves two spots for Shemar Bartholomew, MJ Devonshire Jr. , Kamal Hadden, Marlon Jones, and Domani Jackson.

Domani Jackson and Kamal Hadden are by far and away the likely last two spots, but you never know!

Safeties

Finally, onto the safeties! Last year, Green Bay kept five safeties, and that will likely continue this year. Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, and Kitan Oladapo are basically all locks for this team. That leaves just the one spot for someone to replace the Zayne Anderson role from a season ago. That’ll come down to Johnathan Baldwin II, Murvin Kenion III, Mark Perry, and Jaylin Simpson.

Packers Most Intriguing Position?

The Packers most intriguing position to me on this defense is the edge defenders on the defensive line. The biggest reason is because Micah Parsons isn’t going to be playing to begin the season and Rashan Gary is now on the Dallas Cowboys. The Packers will really need someone to step up big time while Green Bay waits for Micah Parsons. Or, Brian Gutekunst will need to add a veteran to help this edge group out.

I think this is something that will be an ongoing question as the Packers go through training camp. They will likely wait and see what they have in house with the edge group, and if they don’t like what they see, then they will add to it through free agency or a trade.

But we won’t know until then.

Next week will be the special teams primer! Looking forward to it!

Go Pack Go!