The Packers closed out their 2026 training camp with a joint practice against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field, and the biggest draw wasn’t just the football. For fans, it was the chance to get a rare close-up look at visiting players before the final public practice of camp.
That accessibility pulled in plenty of people who were willing to wear the visiting colors, even if they weren’t exactly loyal to Arizona. Natalie Oberdorfer and her daughter, Claire, came up from Marinette, and while they’re Minnesota Vikings fans, they weren’t about to pass on another chance to see players up close. They had already gone to the Packers’ 2025 joint practice against the Seattle Seahawks, and Claire even ended up featured on the Seahawks’ Facebook page.
"We just love seeing the players up close," Natalie said. "I don't think other NFL stadiums have the same player accessibility as Lambeau Field.
We had really good luck last year. We got a picture with [Seattle receiver] Cooper Kupp."
Jeremy Borgardt of Oshkosh was another fan who showed up early near the entrance to the visitors’ locker room on the south side of Lambeau. He made no secret that he’s a Packers fan first, but the appeal of a joint practice was obvious to him. He’s been around plenty of them over the years, including ones against the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks.
"We're just huge football fans in general," he said. "As far as other teams, this is a close as we'll get."
Not every Cardinals fan in line was there by choice alone. Jackson Rindt, 15, of Marion, had his arm in a sling and couldn’t take part in the bike ride, but he still lined up for autographs. One of his favorite players is quarterback Carson Beck, and his reason for backing Arizona was simple: "I just like watching them play."
The Cardinals’ bike tradition brought its own usual scramble, especially for visiting players trying to squeeze everything into a tight window. Their buses got to Lambeau at 10:30 a.m. for an 11:30 practice, which didn’t leave much time before they headed to Clarke Hinkle Field.
Along the way, some were stopped by kids eager for signatures, and others were more likely to be carted to practice. Packers players also sign when time permits, though they’re more likely to do it after practice.
The crowd never seemed bothered by the lack of big-name Cardinals stars. Even without a marquee attraction such as J.J.
Watt of the Houston Texans or Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, plenty of fans still wanted a look. Some were especially interested in rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, the Notre Dame graduate whose appearance came a week before his old school’s game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lambeau Field on Sept.
There were family ties all over the field, too. Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur and Packers coach Matt LaFleur are brothers, with Mike in his first year as head coach and Matt entering his eighth. And the brother connection didn’t stop there: Packers wide receiver Bo Melton is in his fifth season with Green Bay, while his younger brother, Max, is beginning his third season as a cornerback for Arizona.
In Other News...
Packers Trade Buzz Around Josh Sweat Just Got Very Real
The Packers and Cardinals had more than just a joint practice to sort through in Green Bay, where the two head coaches who are brothers watched their teams get a firsthand look at each other. The setting only added to the intrigue around Josh Sweat, because the edge rusher has been linked to Green Bay for a while now and the interest does not sound like idle offseason chatter.
Reports have suggested Arizona could be open to a package built around a player and a draft pick, while Sweat is said to want to land in Green Bay. A deal still does not appear likely before roster cutdowns, but his agent has been in talks with the Packers, which keeps this one on the radar as the two sides continue to circle one another. [Read more 🡒]
Packers-Bears Just Got Another Wrinkle For Their Week 16 Rivalry
The Packers-Bears rivalry already had two dates circled on the calendar, with the teams set to meet in Week 5 and again in Week 16, and the second one just picked up a little more visual bite. The NFL released photos of Chicagos Rivalries uniform for that late-season matchup, a dark navy look with orange accents that gives the leagues oldest feud a fresh layer of theater.
For Green Bay, it is one more detail to file away as the season approaches, especially after an offseason that brought real changes to both rosters. The Bears addressed needs with veteran additions, while the Packers added defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, setting up a rivalry that could look different by December even before the uniforms come into play. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Have A New Camp Battle Fans Need To Watch
The Packers used their joint practice with the Cardinals to get a clearer look at a few players who are pushing for spots, and the wideout group offered plenty to sort through. Matthew Golden drew attention with a strong showing even with a late drop, Brandon Cisse helped his case with an interception, and Bo Melton turned heads by getting the better of his brother in one-on-one work.
The more interesting development may have come along the offensive line, where Donovan Jennings saw meaningful first-team reps and looked as if he might be making real headway toward a roster spot. Jager Burton, meanwhile, seemed to fade from the conversation as the day went on, which is exactly the kind of shift that can turn a quiet practice into a battle worth tracking all the way through camp. [Read more 🡒]