The Packers are sitting at 1-2, and the schedule is lining up in a way that could help them stop the slide before it gets any worse.
Green Bay’s next two opponents are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Chicago Bears, and both teams are dealing with quarterback uncertainty. That sets up back-to-back matchups against what could be backup passers for the Packers.
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield dislocated his thumb in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings and is expected to miss three weeks. Rookie Jalon Daniels would take over in his place.
Chicago may be in a similar spot. Caleb Williams suffered a hamstring strain in Week 2, and current estimates have him missing at least 3-4 weeks. The expectation is that he could remain out through the Bears’ Week 5 game against Green Bay, with Case Keenum likely starting instead.
That does not mean the Packers are walking into easy wins. Keenum just passed for 247 yards and two touchdowns in Chicago’s 27-7 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, and the league has already shown how quickly a backup can settle in. Green Bay saw that firsthand last week against Michael Penix, though Penix was a starting-caliber quarterback returning from injury.
Still, the setup is about as favorable as the Packers are likely to find the rest of the way. An 0-3 team with a rookie under center can be dangerous because of desperation, but Green Bay should be favored in both games based on the quarterback situations alone.
That would be a welcome break for a team that has not come close to meeting expectations. The Packers were supposed to be the 2026 team that finally moved into true Super Bowl contention. Instead, the early returns have been rough, with shaky offensive line play, sloppy defense at the worst moments, and a 1-2 record that reflects how little has gone right.
Now the focus shifts to what comes next, even as questions start to build around head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst. For all the problems in front of them, the Packers at least have a chance to change the mood quickly if they can take advantage of the next two weeks.
In Other News...
Packers Micah Parsons Gamble Looks Even Bigger After Dallas Latest Move
Micah Parsons is already shaping the Packers defense, but the wider impact of Green Bays trade keeps looking sharper as Dallas keeps turning the return package into something useful. The Packers sent two first-round picks and Kenny Clark to the Cowboys for Parsons, then locked him into a four-year, $188 million extension, a massive commitment that was made with the expectation that an elite pass rusher could change the teams ceiling right away.
Dallas, meanwhile, has used the assets from the deal to keep reworking its own roster, adding pieces such as Joey Porter Jr. and Quinnen Williams with the help of Kenny Clark and the draft capital it received. The contrast is what makes the Parsons gamble feel so intriguing for Green Bay, because the Cowboys can spread those resources around while the Packers are tied to one player and one bet, even as the financial comparison between the two approaches keeps inviting a closer look. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Face An Awkward WR Question As Injuries Start To Mount
The Packers 1-2 start has already put the spotlight on a roster that is suddenly running thin at wide receiver, especially after Jayden Reeds season-ending neck injury. With injuries reshaping the room early in the year, Green Bay has at least been forced to think about outside help, and Tyreek Hill has emerged as one of the more intriguing names in the mix as he works his way back from a serious knee injury.
Hills interest in Green Bay adds another layer to an already awkward conversation for the team, since his availability comes with the kind of off-field baggage front offices have to weigh carefully. The Packers also are dealing with the ongoing investigation involving running back Josh Jacobs, leaving the organization navigating more than one sensitive issue at once as it tries to stabilize the roster and keep the season from slipping further. [Read more 🡒]
Kaleb Johnson Suddenly Has A Real Opening In Green Bays Backfield
The Packers spent part of the offseason trying to firm up the interior of their offensive line, bringing in veterans Kevin Zeitler and Laken Tomlinson in hopes of making life easier in the run game. For a back like Kaleb Johnson, that matters. He has already been getting more playing time and more carries than some of the other runners on the roster, and any added stability up front could help turn those reps into something more meaningful as Green Bay tries to improve its ground attack.
The opening is even more interesting because the backfield picture is not fully settled. Josh Jacobs status remains uncertain, which keeps the door cracked for Johnson to keep carving out a larger role rather than just filling in for a series or two. If the Packers get the kind of push they were looking for from their new guards, Johnson could be in line to benefit quickly, and possibly force the coaching staff to keep finding ways to use him. [Read more 🡒]