The Packers’ 31-27 Wild Card loss to the Bears didn’t just end their season - it summed it up. A 9-7-1 campaign that once held promise unraveled in the final stretch, and the turning point was hard to miss: Micah Parsons’ ACL tear in Week 15.
Add Devonte Wyatt landing on IR, and the defense simply stopped getting stops. That late-season slide wasn’t about effort - it was about depth, health, and a defense that couldn’t hold the line when it mattered most.
Blocking Out the Noise
Since the final whistle, Packers fans have done what fans do - dissect, debate, and, in some cases, disconnect. Whether it’s film breakdowns in Reddit threads, heated cap-space arguments in group chats, or just turning off the football world entirely for a bit, the fan base has been processing.
But inside Lambeau, there’s no time for that. For Matt LaFleur and GM Brian Gutekunst, the offseason isn’t about emotions - it’s about execution.
They need a focused, realistic checklist and the discipline to stick to it.
Cap Realities and Core Decisions
Green Bay heads into the offseason over the projected 2026 salary cap. That means tough decisions aren’t optional - they’re immediate.
The first domino already fell with the release of veteran cornerback Trevon Diggs, freeing up a sizable chunk of space. But with Parsons’ extension now carrying a massive cap hit, the rest of the roster has to stay lean and efficient.
Here’s what the Packers need to prioritize:
- Lock in the offensive line anchors. Elgton Jenkins and Zach Tom have proven they’re more than capable of holding down the trenches. They’re foundational pieces, and the front office should treat them as such.
- **Make early calls on key contributors. ** Don’t let contract talks with Romeo Doubs, Rasheed Walker, or Josh Jacobs drag into the summer.
If they’re part of the plan, get it done. If not, move on and reallocate.
- **Avoid flashy, mid-tier veteran signings. ** The kind that eat up cap space but don’t raise the ceiling?
That’s the trap. This roster doesn’t need filler - it needs functional depth and upside.
Nail those moves, and the draft can be about filling needs with purpose instead of scrambling to patch holes. That also opens the door to extend young defensive talent before they all hit the market at once - a proactive step that could stabilize the defense for years.
Parsons, Injuries, and Depth
Parsons isn’t just the heart of the defense - he’s the engine. And with him rehabbing a torn ACL, the Packers can’t afford to assume a clean recovery timeline.
The same goes for tight end Tucker Kraft and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt, who are also working back from serious injuries. The medical staff will follow the standard protocols, but the front office has to plan for bumps along the way.
That means investing in real depth:
- Another legitimate edge rusher. Not just a camp body, but someone who can rotate in and produce, especially if Parsons isn’t ready Week 1.
- An interior lineman who can handle 30 snaps a game. Wyatt’s presence matters, but they’ll need someone who can step in without a major drop-off when he’s on a pitch count or unavailable.
What “Fixed for 2026” Should Actually Mean
There’s no first-round pick this year - the cost of going all-in on Parsons. That makes the 2026 draft even more critical.
The Packers need to hit on offensive line, edge rusher, and cornerback. Not all three need to be stars, but they need to contribute early.
The goal? A defense that finishes top-10 in pressure rate again and, more importantly, doesn’t fold in the fourth quarter. If the cap is cleaned up, the core players are locked in, and the depth behind Parsons and Rashan Gary is real, then “fixed” isn’t just an offseason buzzword - it’s a roster that can walk back into January and expect to stay there.
The blueprint is clear. Now it’s about execution.