The Green Bay Packers head into the 2026 offseason with more questions than answers - and not just about the coaching staff. While Matt LaFleur’s contract situation and Jeff Hafley’s future are still up in the air, the more pressing concerns lie on the field.
The roster tells a story of a team with real potential but some glaring holes, especially in the trenches and the secondary. With limited cap space and no first-round pick, GM Brian Gutekunst and cap guru Russ Ball are going to have to get creative - and efficient - if they want to keep the Packers competitive.
Let’s break down where things stand and what’s next for Green Bay at three critical positions: cornerback, offensive line, and defensive line.
Cornerback: A Room in Transition, Not Rebuild
The Packers' cornerback room isn’t necessarily broken, but it’s far from championship-caliber. Nate Hobbs, Carrington Valentine, and Keisean Nixon are all under contract, and none of them offer significant cap relief if cut.
So unless the front office decides to move on based purely on performance, expect them to stick around. That said, it wouldn’t be shocking if the team quietly closes the book on the Nixon or Hobbs experiments if they feel the ceiling has already been reached.
The more intriguing move came when Green Bay claimed Trevon Diggs off waivers - a classic high-risk, high-reward play. Diggs is still carrying a hefty $15 million price tag for next season, but most of that isn’t guaranteed.
This was less about locking in a starter and more about securing negotiating rights. If the Packers can restructure that deal, Diggs could be a valuable piece.
If not, they’ll likely cut bait.
The big issue here? There’s no clear succession plan.
No recent draft picks developing in the pipeline, and no one currently on the roster who screams "future No. 1 corner." That’s why the Packers are likely to continue chasing value - veterans with upside, reclamation projects, and buy-low trade candidates.
Think Diggs, but on a more team-friendly deal.
Banking on a Day 2 draft pick to be an immediate contributor at corner is a gamble - and not one the Packers can afford to lose. The smarter play is to pair a veteran addition with a Day 3 developmental pick, then hope the mix of experience and upside can elevate the group as a whole.
Offensive Line: Patchwork or Foundation?
The offensive line is where things get tricky. The Packers are staring down the possibility of losing multiple starters, and they don’t have the depth to absorb those hits.
Aaron Banks, last offseason’s marquee signing, didn’t live up to expectations early but started to settle in once healthy. Cutting him would save money, sure, but it would also open up another hole on a line that’s already stretched thin.
With Elgton Jenkins and Rasheed Walker likely on the way out, and Sean Rhyan hitting free agency, letting Banks walk would leave Green Bay with three vacant spots up front. That’s a non-starter.
Jordan Morgan is penciled in at left tackle, which helps. But beyond that, it’s murky.
Rhyan played solid football at center after Jenkins went down, and if his market doesn’t heat up, he’s a logical candidate to return. The wild card here is Jacob Monk, who’s been developing behind the scenes.
If the coaching staff likes what they’ve seen, that could influence how aggressively they pursue Rhyan or whether they hold on to Banks.
Regardless of how those decisions shake out, the Packers must invest in the offensive line during the draft. Expect at least one Day 2 pick to go toward a lineman, and likely another on Day 3. If there’s one position Green Bay is most likely to target early, it’s here.
The immediate goal is to field a competent starting five. The long-term goal is to find and develop future starters.
Right now, the Packers don’t have either locked in. That’s a problem - especially when you’re trying to protect a young quarterback and establish a consistent run game.
Defensive Line: A Hole in the Middle
The defensive line took a hit when Green Bay included Kenny Clark in the Micah Parsons trade. That move helped land a game-changer on the edge, but it left the interior thin and exposed. Devonte Wyatt was asked to do a lot - and to his credit, he delivered - but he needs help.
Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks had their moments, and rookie Warren Brinson flashed some promise, but none of them are ready to be full-time starters. They’re rotational pieces, not anchors. That makes finding a veteran defensive tackle a top priority this offseason.
If Green Bay decides to spend real money in free agency, this is the spot. Pairing Wyatt with a proven interior presence would not only solidify the front but also allow the younger players to settle into roles where they can thrive. The ripple effect would be felt across the defense.
If the offensive line gets one of the team’s two Day 2 picks, the defensive line should get the other. It’s that important.
The Packers got pushed around in the trenches late in the season, and that’s a big reason why their playoff run never materialized. You don’t win in January without controlling the line of scrimmage - and right now, Green Bay can’t do that on either side of the ball.
The Bottom Line
The Packers are facing a pivotal offseason, and they’ll have to navigate it without the luxury of cap space or a first-round pick. The good news? There’s a path forward - but it’s narrow.
Reinforce the trenches. Add experience and upside at cornerback.
Hit on a couple of draft picks. That’s the formula.
It’s not flashy, but it’s what this roster needs.
If Gutekunst and Ball can thread the needle, Green Bay could be right back in the mix. If not, this team could be taking a step back before it takes another one forward.