Packers Enter Critical Stretch with Playoff Hopes - and Player Futures - on the Line
The Green Bay Packers are still in the playoff hunt, even after back-to-back gut-punch losses. One more win would lock in a postseason berth, and believe it or not, there’s still a sliver of hope for an NFC North title. But beyond the standings and seeding scenarios, this final stretch of the season carries a different kind of weight for several players - the kind that could shape their futures in Green Bay.
From former first-rounders to undrafted rookies, a handful of Packers are staring down defining moments. Let’s break down where things stand for four players who could be playing not just for a playoff spot, but for their place on the roster in 2026 and beyond.
Rashan Gary: Searching for His Impact Again
What happened to the Rashan Gary we saw to start the season?
Through the first seven games, Gary was wrecking game plans - 7.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss. He was living in opposing backfields, and the pressure numbers backed it up.
Pro Football Focus credited him with 26 pressures in that span. It looked like he was on pace for a career year, a perfect complement to Micah Parsons on the edge.
But since Week 9? The production has fallen off a cliff.
Zero sacks. Zero tackles for loss.
Just six QB hits. His pressure total has barely moved - now at 25 since Week 9 - and the impact plays have all but disappeared.
To be fair, Gary is still contributing in run defense. But when you’re a top-15 pick and one of the highest-paid players on the roster, that’s not enough. Especially not when the pass rush is struggling without Parsons, and the defense needs someone to step up.
The Packers have a decision looming. Gary was drafted 12th overall nearly seven years ago, and unless he finishes this season strong, the team may need to seriously consider whether he’s part of the long-term plan - or whether it’s time to move on.
Keisean Nixon: CB1 Experiment on Shaky Ground
The Packers took a gamble giving Keisean Nixon a bigger role in the secondary - and right now, it’s not paying off.
Nixon made his name as a return specialist, earning All-Pro honors twice. But after last season, he made it clear he wanted more.
He wanted to be a starting corner. The Packers gave him that shot, and early on, there were flashes.
Big plays, including a game-sealing interception against the Bears, hinted at potential.
But the inconsistencies have piled up. Last week in Chicago, Nixon was on the wrong end of both touchdown passes - first on a blown coverage that led to the game-tying score, then simply getting beat by DJ Moore for the game-winner. Over the past two games, quarterbacks Bo Nix and Caleb Williams have posted perfect passer ratings when targeting him, per PFF.
That’s a problem - especially with the pass rush fading and the secondary exposed. Opposing QBs are targeting Nixon, and they’re finding success.
So what’s next? Nixon’s versatility is valuable, but with his cap number set to jump to $7.2 million in 2026, the Packers have to weigh whether he’s worth that investment.
Reverting to a backup role or returning to special teams could be on the table. If Green Bay moves on, they’d save $5 million in cap space.
Brenton Cox Jr.: A Window of Opportunity
With Parsons sidelined, the Packers are looking for someone - anyone - to step up off the edge. Brenton Cox Jr. could be that guy.
He’s back from injured reserve and has a chance to carve out a role in a thin pass-rush rotation. Cox showed flashes late last season after the team moved on from Preston Smith, and now he’s got another shot to prove he belongs.
Cox is a restricted free agent after the season, and the competition won’t get easier. Parsons will return, and Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, and Collin Oliver are all in the mix. Rashan Gary’s future could also impact the depth chart.
Bottom line: Cox doesn’t have a lot of time, but he does have opportunity. If he can string together a few strong performances, he could make a compelling case to stick around in 2026.
Nazir Stackhouse: Rookie Year Fizzling Out
Nazir Stackhouse came in as an undrafted rookie with some buzz - a big-bodied run-stopper who could potentially carve out a role in the rotation. But as the season winds down, that potential hasn’t turned into production.
Stackhouse has logged just 114 snaps on defense and has been a healthy scratch throughout December. His Pro Football Focus grades aren’t encouraging either - he’s among the lowest-rated defenders on the team, both overall and against the run.
The expectation was never that Stackhouse would be a pass-rushing force, but the hope was he could hold his own on early downs. That hasn’t materialized. And with Green Bay recently signing Jordon Riley to a two-year deal, more competition is coming - both now and in the offseason.
At this point, it’s unclear whether Stackhouse will even see the field again this year, let alone make the 2026 roster.
Final Word
The Packers still have everything to play for - a postseason berth, a shot at the division, and a chance to build momentum heading into January. But for Rashan Gary, Keisean Nixon, Brenton Cox Jr., and Nazir Stackhouse, these final games could mean even more.
It’s not just about wins anymore. It’s about proving you belong. And in Green Bay, where roster spots are earned - not given - the stakes couldn’t be higher.