News Packers Team Notes

[Green Bay Packers]

Packers Film Room: Malik Willis’ touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs

As we do every week in this space, we take a look at the Packers passing game from the previous game. I like to start these off by looking at Jordan Love’s passing chart from NFL Next Gen, but this week we get Malik Willis’ passing chart, because that’s what they had.

That is what I expect from a Malik Willis passing chart. Willis was in the game for 46 snaps, tallying 11 passing attempts and 10 rushing attempts. When he was throwing, it was quick game or calculated pushes of the ball downfield. There were certainly things that were left on the field – the downside of needing to go to a backup – but he ran the offense well. He hit a couple nice throws (we’ll get to one of those shortly), and, if things looked questionable, he didn’t put the ball in harm’s way: he simply tucked and ran.

This is usually the part where I dig into numbers, but, with the weirdness of Willis stepping in after Love took the crown of a helmet directly to the front of his facemask, digging into the stats of a split QB performance just feels a bit off (Love had 14 dropbacks while Willis had 17). Willis’ total EPA (+10.4) was higher than Caleb Williams (+8.0) if you feel like using that around the water cooler. You know how people love to talk about EPA around the water cooler.

Instead of doing a dive into the numbers, we’ll just take a look at a couple plays. Matt LaFleur did a really nice job gathering information and setting up some big payoff plays in the 2nd half. One of the issues is that there was a QB change between some of the set-up and the payoff plays, and the backup QB either didn’t see things the same way or didn’t feel comfortable taking a chance with the throw. But they did have one payoff that worked well, so that’s what we’re looking at.

The original concept is Stick. It’s a quick-game staple across the league and in this Packers offense. There are a handful of ways you can dress it up and run it, but you’ll see a basic version on the left side of this diagram:

They ran some version of Stick 7 times this week, far-and-away their most-used concept. They ran it 3 times with Jordan Love (4.7 YPA, 66.7% Success Rate) and 4 times with Malik Willis (11.3 YPA, 75.0% Success Rate).

This initial clip is the first time they ran Stick with Willis. It was on 2nd & 6 with 3:07 remaining in the 2nd quarter. The Packers are in 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR), starting in a 3×1 look with Romeo Doubs [87] as the iso receiver on the right. Dontayvion Wicks [13] motions under the line before the snap, slowing down as the under man in a stack with Doubs on the right. The Bears had initially been aligned in a two-high look, but the motion of Wicks sees them rotating a man down and puts them in a single-high look. As we see post-snap, the Bears are in man coverage. The man rolling down signals a check that he’ll take the inside man.

At the snap, Wicks breaks out while Doubs pushes vertically and breaks out. With the boundary defender in off-coverage, Willis throws to Wicks, who gets upfield for the 1st down.

We’re a little further along in the game now. It’s 3rd & 2 with 39 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. The Packers are on the 33 yard line, clinging to a 6-3 lead.

Once again, the Packers dial up something that looks a lot like Stick (in truth, it’s closer to Omaha, but it’s still a quick-game staple revolving around two quick, out-breaking routes on the same side).

There’s no motion but the personnel grouping is the same (11) and they’re in the same 2-man stack look. Wicks is the under receiver and Doubs is at the point. The Bears are in a single-high look with man coverage.

At the snap, Wicks pushes vertically for a few steps before breaking out, while Doubs briefly angles in to ride in Wicks’ jetstream. Given the Packers approach with Willis in the game, the Bears are clearly looking for quick-game here. Instead, with the boundary defender sticking with Wicks, Doubs releases vertically up the field, easily gaining a step or two on the defender.

Willis checks the safety then throws over the top to Doubs.

It’s a great playcall by LaFleur to play off of what the defense is looking for in that moment, and it’s a great throw by Willis. Perfect placement on this to Doubs, who is able to haul it in and pick up a TD.

We’ll likely dig into a couple of those payoff plays that didn’t end up hitting later this week, but, before we do that, I just wanted to spent a little time with this beauty.

---

Albums listened to: The Appleseed Cast – The Fleeting Light of Impermanence; Julien Baker & Torres – Send a Prayer My Way

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...om-malik-willis-touchdown-pass-to-romeo-doubs

 

[Green Bay Packers]

The quarterbacks of Matt LaFleur’s Past

As we all know, Green Bay Packers Jordan Love left the game this past weekend with a concussion, and Malik Willis sustained an injury late in the same game. I know those bits of information, and then I saw 44-year-old, just-off-the-couch Philip Rivers go for 277 yards and 2 TDs on Monday Night Football, so my brain started wondering. If Matt LaFleur didn’t have a healthy QB he liked going into this weekend, who would he call?

So I went combing through Matt LaFleur’s stops as a coach to find a candidate. (Quick note: when I say “LaFleur coached this player for X number of years,” that’s the number of years the player took a regular-season snap under LaFleur.)

Rex Grossman: 45​

LaFleur coached Grossman for a year in Washington (2011). Did you know that Rex Grossman is only 1 year older than Philip Rivers? It’s true! That was Grossman’s last year in the league. He completed 57.9% of his passes, threw for 3,151 yards, 16 TDs and 20 INTs.

Ol’ Sexy Rexy is currently the CEO of Florida Medical Staffing, a staffing agency for RNs, LPNs, Respiratory & Physical Therapists.

Robert Griffin III: 35​

LaFleur coached RGIII for 2 years in Washington (2012-2013). You’ve likely heard him in the booth while watching college football. I know I heard him recently paired with the GOAT, Jason Benetti.

2012 was Griffin’s rookie season, and he was tremendous before his knee injury, but he was never quite the same. We last saw him in NFL action in 2020, going 8/14 for 42 yards and 2 INTs for the Ravens.

Matt Ryan: 40​

Younger than Rivers by a solid 4 years. LaFleur coached Ryan for 2 years in Atlanta (2015-2016). Ryan won the MVP in 2016, completing 69.9% of his passes for 4,944 yards, 38 TDs and 7 INTs.

We last saw him starting for the Colts in 2022, completing 67% of his passes for 3,057 yards, 14 TDs and 13 INTs.

Matt Schaub: 44​

He’s the same age as Rivers! That’s wild! LaFleur coached Schaub for 1 year in Atlanta (2016). In that season, Schaub went 1/3 for 16 yards.

Schaub is, perhaps, best known as the player who holds the record for most consecutive games throwing a pick 6 (4). Maybe that’s not what he’s best known for, but it’s the first thing I think of, which is kind of a shame. He was a solid player for several years in Houston.

Sean Mannion: 33​

This is an easy one. Mannion is currently the QB Coach in Green Bay. LaFleur coached Mannion in 2017 with the Rams. In that season, Mannion went 22/37 for 185 yards, 0 TDs and 0 INTs. For his career, he was 67/110, 573 yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs. Real game manager.

You don’t even have to get this man off the couch. Just bring him a uniform and have him step between the lines of the field he is already standing on.

Blaine Gabbert: 36​

LaFleur coached Gabbert for 1 year with the Titans (2018). Gabbert played in 8 games (starting 3) and went 61/101 for 626 yards, 4 TDs and 4 INTs. He was last in the league in 2023, winning a Super Bowl with the Chiefs at the ripe old age of 34. As near as I can tell, he is currently just enjoying retirement. Good for him.

Tim Boyle: 31​

LaFleur coached Boyle for 2 years in Green Bay (2019-2020). Across both seasons, he went 3/4 for 15 yards. He was waived by the Titans this past summer.

My favorite Boyle moment was him throwing a pick-6 off a Hail Mary with the Jets. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen that before.

Just randomly thinking about the Hail Mary Pick 6 pic.twitter.com/2dcp5FBjBX

— Dusty (@DustyEvely) December 23, 2025

Kurt Benkert: 30​

LaFleur coached Benkert for 1 year (2021). In that year, Benkert appeared in 1 game and did not attempt a pass. He is currently a streamer and has a company (The Dime Lab) where he sells footballs and books.

Sean Clifford: 27​

The youngest member of the group. LaFleur coached Clifford for 1 year (2023). Clifford did not attempt a pass in 2 games. He is currently on the Bengals practice squad.

---

If given your choice, who are you calling?

---

Albums listened to: Father John Misty – Mahashmashana; Fortitude Valley – Part of the Problem, Baby

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/.../77043/the-quarterbacks-of-matt-lafleurs-past

 

[Green Bay Packers]

Packers Injury Report: Jordan Love, Malik Willis participate in walkthrough

The Green Bay Packers had a walkthrough practice on Tuesday and are expected to have a walkthrough practice on Thursday, meaning that the team’s injury reports on those days will be estimations. Still, on Tuesday, both Jordan Love and Malik Willis, the team’s injured quarterbacks, were able to throw the ball around and were estimated to be limited participants if the practice were padded.

Love went down with a concussion in the first half of the Packers’ loss to the Chicago Bears this week, while Malik Willis injured his throwing shoulder and finished out the game. After practice today, Willis said that he was able to push through the game off adrenaline and expects to be ready for Saturday.

Packers’ Non-Participants​

• RT Zach Tom (back/knee)
• DT Quinton Bohanna (illness)
• LB Kristian Welch (ankle)
• CB/WR Bo Melton (illness)

Zach Tom still being a non-participant probably means that we’re in for another week of Jordan Morgan at right tackle. If you want to watch how Morgan performed this week, you can find that HERE.

If Kristian Welch is out of this game, the Packers will likely need to call up practice squad linebacker Jamon Johnson to the 53-man roster. It’s tough to carry just four linebackers while playing a 4-3 defense on gameday, especially when you’re playing a run-heavy offense line like the Baltimore Ravens.

Packers’ Limited Participants​

• QB Jordan Love (left shoulder/concussion)
• QB Malik Willis (right shoulder)
• RB Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle)
• TE Josh Whyle (concussion)
• LG Aaron Banks (neck)
• C Sean Rhyan (knee)
• OL John Williams (back-PUP)
• DE Lukas Van Ness (foot)
• DE Arron Mosby (ankle)
• DT Jordon Riley (ankle)
• S Evan Williams (knee)

It looks like the Packers’ offensive line got banged up against the Bears, as starters Aaron Banks and Sean Rhyan are now on the injury report, too. Outside of that, most of these limited participants were expected. It’s worth noting that Josh Whyle is still in the concussion protocol 10 days after he went down against the Denver Broncos. Right now, Green Bay only has one healthy tight end on the roster after John FitzPatrick tore his Achilles on Saturday.

Ravens Injury Report​

#Packers have 19 of 53 on the injury report. A couple of illnesses. Zach Tom did not participate. Jordan Love, Malik Willis, Evan Williams, Josh Whyle limited. pic.twitter.com/bB0aUYfutp

— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) December 23, 2025

The only notable injury situation to watch on Baltimore’s end of things this week is whether Lamar Jackson will play or not. He went down with a back contusion in Week 16 and didn’t return to action after the injury. On Tuesday, he was estimated to be a non-participant by the Ravens.

If Jackson can’t start, Tyler Huntley, who has a career passer rating of 81.3 and a record of 6-9, will be under center in Jackson’s place.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...-love-malik-willis-participate-in-walkthrough

 

[Green Bay Packers]

Malik Willis analysis: Has Packers QB developed into starting-caliber player?

Throughout the 2025 NFL season, SB Nation’s Doug Farrar writes about the game’s Secret Superstars — those players whose performances might slip under the radar for whatever reasons. In this installment, we focus on Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis, who has transformed himself from NFL bust to possible starting quarterback, based on what he’s shown in two seasons under Matt LaFleur’s tutelage.

The thing about quarterbacks is that when you need one, you’re willing to do just about anything to get one.

This is why quarterbacks are frequently (and sometimes drastically) overvalued in both the draft, and when they’re available in free agency. The 2026 class of draft quarterbacks may include Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Oregon’s Dante Moore — we don’t know yet — and even if it does, there are several QB-needy teams at and near the top of the draft order, which of course is a primary reason they’re at or near the top of the draft order.

The 2026 free agency class at the position isn’t exactly overflowing with clarity, and the good ones will most likely be retained. Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts, and that Aaron Rodgers guy, lead the class right now, and beyond that, there’s the usual Russell Wilson, Zach Wilson, Marcus Mariota, Tyrod Taylor, and Joe Flacco group in the middle. Nobody you want as a franchise-defining guy.

Which is where one Malik Antonio Willis comes into the picture. Selected with the 86th overall pick in the third round of the 2022 draft out of Liberty by way of Auburn by the Tennessee Titans, Willis was a non-factor with his first NFL team, and the Titans traded him to Green Bay on August 26, 2024 for a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft.

Of course, that turned into a bargain for the Packers when Willis replaced the injured Jordan Love in Week 1 of the 2024 season against the Philadelphia Eagles after Love suffered an MCL sprain, and completed 40 of 54 passes as the starter and backup that season. Willis was especially effective in his “revenge game” against the Titans in Week 3. Willis completed 13 of 19 passes for 201 yards, a touchdown, and a passer rating of 120.8, and he had several explosive throws on the day. Willis also showed off his athleticism with six runs for 73 yards and another score. In Green Bay’s 30-14 win, Willis looked every bit a starting-quality quarterback in Matt LaFleur’s offense.

september 22, 2024: in which malik willis shows the titans what they gave up pic.twitter.com/eGCl9auu45

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) December 22, 2025

Fast-forward to Green Bay’s Saturday night loss to the Chicago Bears (yeah, I know), when Willis replaced Love after Love suffered a concussion with 8:21 left in the second quarter. The Packers went with a heavy run plan for the rest of the second quarter, and then, with 12:12 left in the third quarter, Willis hit tight end Luke Musgrave for 26 yards on a crosser with receiver Christian Watson — his first of several pro throws on the day.

The coverage shifted post-snap, but Willis’ resolve to uncork a deep throw didn’t. Maybe Willis had a touchdown if he had hit Watson to the other side against Chicago’s busted Cover-2, but that’s another matter. When Willis identified safety Jaquan Brisker to the back side, he undoubtedly thought that Brisker was going to drop as the second deep safety, which Brisker didn’t until it was too late.

Quarterbacks need to change with the changing coverages, and ID what is available. Malik Willis with a nice deep pass to Luke Musgrave here… that Christian Watson was wide open to the other side, but past the progression, is another matter. pic.twitter.com/2UQ0fMtfGM

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) December 22, 2025

Willis’ 33-yard touchdown pass to receiver Romeo Doubs with 39 seconds left in the third quarter was another banger, and another throw in which his ultimate target was the third read. Here against Cover-1, Willis read Watson on the front side, running back Emanuel Wilson (another Secret Superstar this season) on the release route, and then, Doubs on the backdoor fade ball. It was a tough throw late in the progression, and Willis nailed it. This is what you want from a quarterback. The ball was delivered with ideal touch and velocity.

Malik Willis did a really nice job of reading things out against the Bears — quite often, as was the case on his touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs, Willis went to his third read while staying composed in the pocket. And the fade throw is just damn pretty. pic.twitter.com/0Brf00Zo1M

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) December 22, 2025

Willis’ 31-yard completion to receiver Jaylen Reed on second-and-7 with 9:15 left in overtime — certainly a high-pressure situation — is another example of how far Willis’ processing has come since his college and early NFL days. Here, he’s got Reed in the right slot, and the rules of Chicago’s Cover-2 changed when receiver Dontayvion Wicks motioned from left to right, and the Packers presented the three-man coverage to that side with three receivers. Now, safety Kevin Byard was matching Reed from the slot, and when Byard took a slow step inside, Willis pounced on it.

Malik Willis calmly reading everything in a crucial overtime situation. Second-and-7, motion changes the rules for the defense, Willis clocks Jayden Reed open on the sail route, and that's that. He showed a ton of processing development in this game. pic.twitter.com/53SFcrRAsu

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) December 22, 2025

If you think about Willis’ future as an NFL quarterback, it’s more about these plays than it is about his running ability (which he’s always had) or a certain botched snap/handoff in overtime that set the Bears up to win. Unfortunately he suffered a shoulder injury in the game, which could complicate any more snaps he has in the 2025 season, but based on what he did against the Bears on Saturday night — 9 of 11 through the air for 121 yards, that touchdown, and a passer rating of 142.8, and 44 rushing yards on 10 attempts — I’d say that when it’s time for other NFL teams to look for at least a spot starter if not an outright competing starter on their rosters, Willis — who will be a free agent once the new league year kicks in — could get quite a few calls.

“I thought Malik went in there and did a hell of a job,” LaFleur said postgame. “He was poised. Made some plays with his legs. Made some plays with his arm. Made some off-schedule plays. I felt like the operation was pretty smooth, for the most part. But just not enough at the end, obviously.”

As for Willis, he’s just looking forward to whatever the next opportunity may be.

“I try not to worry about that type of thing,” he said, when asked whether he anticipated getting more practice reps as the Packers prepare to play the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. “You look too far ahead, you miss what’s in front of you. Try to watch this film, be as honest as I can as far as what I was doing, where I could be better, and then we work together in figuring out what’s best for the team and how we’re going to do this thing.”

It’s wise for Willis to focus on the moment, even as he’s put enough good tape down to make the rest of the NFL wonder what he might be able to do elsewhere.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...tistics-quarterback-backup-jordan-love-injury

 

[Green Bay Packers]

How the Packers’ coverage bust led to the Bears’ game-tying TD

The Green Bay Packers’ defense, without Micah Parsons and Evan Williams, held the Chicago Bears offense to just nine points for 59 minutes and 36 seconds of the football game. In the game’s final seconds, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams hit a touchdown throw to a wide-open Jahdae Walker after a coverage bust that allowed the Bears to tie the game.

To the defense’s credit, they did more than enough to win the game. By that point in the fourth quarter, the game was already slowly slipping away after Jordan Love was ruled out before halftime. To add to that, Josh Jacobs fumbled at the 2-yard line on a drive where any points would have won the game.

And the final fourth-quarter touchdown came just over a minute after the Packers’ special teams, Romeo Doubs specifically, misplayed the onside kick and couldn’t recover it, allowing a Bears recovery and the ball at midfield, putting enormous pressure on a defense that had largely already done its job.

After the Bears drove the length of midfield to the 6-yard line, the defense held until fourth down, forcing two incompletions on 2nd and 3rd down. On third down, the Packers showed a cover-0 shell but ended up rushing five postsnap and popping out a defensive lineman underneath.

The intent was to get a free rusher at Williams with the offensive line sliding one way while the bulk of the rush came from the other side.

On fourth down, Jeff Hafley called the same pressure and coverage shell combination, but the defense had a coverage bust, most likely from Keisean Nixon, that allowed the Bears to score.

View Link

The defensive alignment shows eight defenders along the line of scrimmage and three coverage defenders in off coverage.

For Williams, it’s easy to tell that the Packers are likely not sending more than six rushers. On the left side of the offense, they have three eligibles, and there are three coverage defenders to account for them.

The rest of the defensive front dictated which way the offensive line would slide. They’re sliding to the right and leaving Brenton Cox (No. 57) as the free rusher off the left edge.

View Link

The Bears have a staple red zone concept that numerous teams run from this area of the red zone, a quick slant/angle route concept.

Matt LaFleur and the rest of the Kyle Shanahan tree call this combination “Pile.”

View Link

An old Ben Johnson/Dolphins install from 2015 refers to this combination as “Angle.”

The side running the angle concept is the focal point of the play here. The receivers to that side are in a stack formation, so the defenders, Nate Hobbs inside and Keisean Nixon outside, are in off coverage and staggered so the routes that develop cannot pick them off.

They’re playing a banjo coverage technique. Hobbs takes the first inside release, and Nixon takes the first outside release. As soon as one or the other receiver declares their route intent, that defender should either jump up and follow or pass it off to the guy next to them.

Here, since Nixon’s receiver is underneath immediately, he should back off and look for an out-breaking route from the other receiver or look for him vertically.

The pass rush gets immediate pressure on Williams from his left edge by Cox as the offensive line slides to their right. The defensive front gets them to waste a blocker with this slide, and that’s what frees up Cox to get a free run at Williams.

Bears 4th quarter touchdown on 4th down pic.twitter.com/6PuaclIH0i

— Forbidden Tape (@forbiddenall22) December 24, 2025

On the outside, Hobbs jumps the quick slant route, and defensive tackle Karl Brooks pops out underneath to rob the low middle, but the problem here is Nixon jumps the slant route too. This leaves Jahdae Walker wide open on the angle route to the back pylon.

After the game, reporters converged on Nixon’s locker to get his thoughts on the game. Hobbs immediately stepped in and shooed them away, answering their questions on his own. He was asked about this specific play but didn’t give a breakdown of it, instead telling The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman that it was just a miscommunication.

Whether it was Hobbs or Nixon’s responsibility, we can’t really be sure without direct confirmation. We know that it was a mental error on someone’s part, and it was just one of several mistakes that cost the Packers the game.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...-coverage-bust-led-to-the-bears-game-tying-td

 

[Green Bay Packers]

Packers-Ravens Injury Report: Malik Willis missed practice with illness

If Jordan Love’s concussion and Malik Willis’ right shoulder injury weren’t enough, the Green Bay Packers are now dealing with another factor in their quarterback room: Willis has an illness that caused him to miss Wednesday’s practice. Clayton Tune, Green Bay’s practice squad quarterback, had to take the backup quarterback reps in practice today. Receiver Christian Watson said after practice that Love took all the starter’s share of reps with the number one offense.

The good news is that Love was able to practice today, leaving just Willis and three others as non-participants. With Love still in the concussion protocol, though, Packers fans should keep an eye on the quarterback position up until gametime on Saturday. At this point, any of the three quarterbacks on the team could be under center against the Baltimore Ravens.

Packers’ Non-Participants​

• QB Malik Willis (shoulder/illness)
• RT Zach Tom (knee)
• LB Kristian Welch (ankle)
• CB/WR Bo Melton (illness)

With Zach Tom being listed as a non-participant in back-to-back days, you can go ahead and assume that Jordan Morgan is going to be the team’s right tackle against the Baltimore Ravens. If Kristian Welch can’t go by Thursday, the Packers’ final practice of the week, assume that practice squad linebacker Jamon Johnson will be called up to the gameday roster to play some special teams, too.

Packers’ Limited Participants​

• QB Jordan Love (shoulder/concussion)
• RB Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle)
• TE Josh Whyle (concussion)
• LG Aaron Banks (neck)
• C Sean Rhyan (knee)
• OL John Williams (back)
• DT Jordon Riley (ankle)
• DT Quinton Bohanna (illness)
• S Evan Williams (knee)

As far as participation changes go, besides Willis, Quinton Bohanna went from an estimated non-participant on Tuesday to a limited participant on Wednesday, while defensive ends Aaron Mosby and Lukas Van Ness went from estimated limited participants to full participants.

Tight end Josh Whyle remains in the concussion protocol, and it is going to be very tricky for the Packers to navigate. Without Whyle, Green Bay would only have one healthy tight end on the 53-man roster. Between the quarterback, tight end and linebacker situations, the team will need to pick and choose who they call up from the practice squad this week.

Baltimore Ravens Injury Report​

As mentioned as a possibility in the story, Willis' absence at practice due to illness. Doesn't appear to be his shoulder, according to injury report.

Quarterback Jordan Love in, QB Malik Willis out at Packers practice https://t.co/kEk5V93R9P via @journalsentinel pic.twitter.com/tLW1BJNuOa

— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) December 24, 2025

The only player of note on the Ravens’ injury report is quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has missed back-to-back practices for Baltimore with a back contusion that he suffered on Sunday. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said it is “undetermined” whether Jackson will be able to play on Saturday.

If Jackson can’t go, it’ll be Tyler Huntley under center for Baltimore. With that being said, the Ravens are eliminated from the playoff race with another loss, so this could ultimately be a game-time decision.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...ort-malik-willis-missed-practice-with-illness

 

[Green Bay Packers]

The Green Bay Packers have clinched a spot in the playoffs

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff was in the giving spirit on Christmas. After throwing back-to-back interceptions in the third quarter, the Lions went from having a tied game against the Minnesota Vikings to being down two field goals against undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer. The Lions were never able to regain even a neutral position after that sequence.

The Lions were the last team that could have pushed the Green Bay Packers out of the 2025 NFL playoffs. To do so, they need to win their final two games of the season, while the Packers lost out. With a loss to the Vikings, that lone path to the postseason is officially dead for Detroit. Green Bay has now clinched a spot to compete for the Super Bowl.

As far as which seed the Packers will get, it is more than likely that they’ll end up being the seventh seed in the NFC postseason. If you want to read up on all of Green Bay’s playoff possibilities, you can find that HERE.

If you want the short hand, here you go:

• To win the NFC North, the Packers need to win out, and the Chicago Bears need to lose out
• There’s a very small chance that the fifth seed could happen, but the Packers need the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams to lose out while Green Bay wins out.
• In about 90 percent of simulations, the Packers end up with the sixth or seventh seed. For Green Bay to sneak out of the seventh seed, Chicago would need to win at least one more game while the Packers win out, which would give Green Bay a chance to jump an NFC West wild card team in the standings — though, this is not guaranteed.

So, yeah, just assume the Packers will be the seventh seed in the NFC this year, until new information starts rolling in.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...-packers-have-clinched-a-spot-in-the-playoffs

 

[Green Bay Packers]

These are the Week 17 games that matter for the Packers’ playoff seeding

Now that the Green Bay Packers have clinched their playoff spot, thanks to the Detroit Lions losing on Christmas Day, it’s time to really get into the nitty-gritty of the seeding race. Below is a table of the Packers’ playoff percentages for each seed in the playoffs, based on possible results from Week 17’s NFC action. Let’s take you through all relevant games for Green Bay this week, ranked by their level of importance.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Green Bay Packers​

Obviously, we all want the Packers to win this game. If they lose to the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay will be locked into the seventh seed, according to the New York Times/The Athletic’s simulation. A Packers win, even if the Chicago Bears win on Sunday, still allows Green Bay to play for the fifth and sixth seeds in the wild-card race.

Packers’ chances to be anything other than the 7 seed:

• Loss vs. Ravens: 0 percent
• Win vs. Ravens: 35 percent

Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers​

If you want there to be any chance of the Packers hosting a playoff game at Lambeau Field this postseason, you’re a San Francisco 49ers fan for Sunday Night Football. If the Packers win and the Bears lose, it puts Green Bay in a position where they can actually still win the division, giving them a chance at the second or third seed (depending on what happens to the Philadelphia Eagles) in Week 18.

For Green Bay to win the NFC North, they have to win out while Chicago loses out. That’s the last path to hosting a game at Lambeau Field in the first round of the playoffs.

Packers’ chance of winning the NFC North:

• Without Packers win/Bears loss in Week 17: 0 percent
• With Packers win/Bears loss in Week 17: 31 percent

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Buffalo Bills​

If the Packers do manage to win the NFC North, what happens with the Eagles to end the year becomes very relevant. If Philadelphia loses one more game and Green Bay wins the North, then the Packers will leapfrog the Eagles and become the second seed in the NFC. If the Eagles win out, Green Bay would be the third seed in this scenario.

Packers’ chance of being the #2 seed in the NFC:

• Without Packers win/Eagles loss in Week 17: 1 percent
• With Packers win/Eagles loss in Week 17: 30 percent

Los Angeles Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons​

There’s a way the Packers can play a lowly NFC South team in the first round of the playoffs, but Green Bay will need to win the top wild-card spot in the playoffs for that to happen. Two games are crucial to making sure that happens: The Atlanta Falcons must upset the Los Angeles Rams while the Chicago Bears beat the San Francisco 49ers. I wouldn’t hold my breath that this will happen, but it could be relevant, depending on Sunday’s action shakes out.

Packers’ chance of being the #5 seed in the NFC:

• Without Packers/Falcons/Bears wins in Week 17: 0 percent
• With Packers/Falcons/Bears wins in Week 17: 5 percent

–

The NFL did a pretty good job of scheduling this slate. Here are the kickoff times for the games that still matter for Green Bay:

• Baltimore Ravens vs. Green Bay Packers, Saturday, 7 pm CT (Peacock)
• Philadelphia Eagles vs. Buffalo Bills, Sunday, 3:25 pm CT (FOX)
• Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, 7:30 pm CT (NBC/Peacock)
• Los Angeles Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons, Monday, 7:15 pm CT (ESPN)

If you were wondering, the Eagles vs. Bills game will be nationally broadcast by FOX. Ravens vs Packers will also be simulcast on WGBA (NBC/26) in Green Bay and WTMJ (NBC/4) in Milwaukee.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...s-that-matter-for-the-packers-playoff-seeding

 

[Green Bay Packers]

Teams eyeing Malik Willis in 2026 free agency

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, there are “several teams” already keeping tabs on Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis going into next year’s free agency period. Willis is in the final year of his rookie contract, and Willis’ price tag is expected to be in the $5 million to $8 million range, though that number was calculated before last week, when he posted a 142.8 passer rating.

Willis is expected to start on Saturday for the Packers, as preferred starting quarterback Jordan Love did not pass through concussion protocol this week.

Here’s what Fowler had to say about Willis:

Speaking of Willis, he’s a very intriguing free agent to watch next spring. He was the 86th pick in the 2022 draft, which means he’s playing on the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. He is 26 years old and has now spent basically two full seasons being coached by Matt LaFleur, Adam Stenavich and the Packers’ offensive coaching staff, and he has played well when he has had to fill in for Love because of injury. As we discussed above, there are a lot of teams that are going to be in the QB market this offseason. Not all of them will be able to address the position via the draft, and several have their eyes on Willis as a potential solution given what he has been able to do in Green Bay. The Packers like him a lot and could try to keep him, but if he has a chance to go somewhere else and compete for a starting job, that might be tough to do.

The point about the draft is interesting because of how few underclassmen quarterbacks have declared. This was never going to be a deep class of senior passers, but the assumption was that the underclassmen would help bump the class up.

So far, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, USC’s Jayden Maiava, Cincinnati’s Brandan Sorsby, Texas’ Arch Manning and Duke’s Darian Mensah have all decided to go back to school. The only underclassman who seems to be a lock to declare this year is Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman winner who is likely to go first overall.

Without the underclassmen (and Mendoza), here are the top-200 ranked quarterback prospects, according to the consensus draft board:

• #1 Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
• #47 Garrett Nuzzmeier, LSU (coming off injury)
• #87 Cade Klubnik, Clemson
• #104 Drew Allar, Penn State (coming off injury)
• #109 Carson Beck, Miami
• #192 Taylen Green, Arkansas

There’s going to be more demand in the NFL than just four healthy quarterbacks in this draft cycle. That will probably help Willis’ camp at the negotiating table when numbers really start to fly around at the combine in February.

Also, Fowler mentioned that the Packers believed that Love was going to earn a Pro Bowl honor this year, even though he was left off for the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, the Rams’ Matthew Stafford and the Seahawks’ Sam Darnold. Had Love made the Pro Bowl, he would have been paid an extra $250,000 by the team.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...teams-eyeing-malik-willis-in-2026-free-agency

 

[Green Bay Packers]

Why the Packers offense fell apart in the red zone against the Bears

The Green Bay Packers ended up losing 22-16 in overtime to the Chicago Bears in week 16, primarily because the offense could not produce a single touchdown inside the red zone. They finished the game 0-for-5 on red zone scoring opportunities as they had to settle for three field goals, two of which came on drives of 14 and 16 plays.

There are a number of reasons why the Packers lost this game, but this was the single biggest factor. And it’s one they’ll have to address in the playoffs. Walking away from a game without a single red zone touchdown is inexcusable from a player and coaching perspective. And there is certainly enough blame to go around for a group that did not do it’s job well.

On the first possession, the Packers offense stalled on 4th and 1 at the Bears 6-yard line when they failed to convert. Everything from the play selection, to the throw, to the receiver route, it all factored in.

This is a play that’s been covered before here at Acme Packing Company by Dusty Evely, and it’s one the Packers have run with regularity in the red zone.

It’s a 3×1 concept designed to attack the end zone sideline from the low red zone with the two inside receivers running to the front pylon and back pylon. The #1 receiver on the outside runs a quick slant underneath with the option to break outside.

Packers missed red zone throw pic.twitter.com/yo3viSbl81

— Forbidden Tape (@forbiddenall22) December 27, 2025

As you can see in the route tag above, the receiver should aim the out cut of his stem at the front pylon. Christian Watson is the intended target here. He ends just a yard off of his path and isn’t able to get to the ball. Jordan Love threw it right at the pylon like he’s supposed to. The minute details matter and Watson was slightly out of position.

We can never fully know if that’s how Watson is coached to run the route or not so we can give some benefit of doubt here. And everything is always hindsight after a play doesn’t work. But I do also take issue with head coach Matt LaFleur’s propensity to put his quarterback and offense in shotgun in short yardage situations where very often they’re chucking it downfield only to come up short.

This isn’t a downfield throw, but maybe the play selection wasn’t the best call here as they only needed a yard for a fresh set of downs inside the 5-yard line. Or maybe just kick the field goal. That was arguably one of the biggest missed opportunities in this game on the opening drive.

In their next red zone opportunity, the biggest miss came courtesy of the offensive line. On a screen pass to Josh Jacobs on 1st-and-goal from the 9-yard line, #71, Anthony Belton, should have peeled back to block the Bears #50 Grady Jarrett, who ends up making the play.

Packers red zone screen pic.twitter.com/xHr6V6yiif

— Forbidden Tape (@forbiddenall22) December 27, 2025

On screen passes, the backside guard is responsible to peel back around and check for any defender on that path chasing the play.

He should release down the line, wait for the throw, and turn 180 degrees and wall of the nearest defender. Belton didn’t do that and Jarrett made the play when Jacobs saw him out of his periphery and tried to cut outside away from him. He might have had a path to the end zone if Belton blocked him.

Packers Emanuel Wilson dropped backwards pass pic.twitter.com/xJxuaDZNKU

— Forbidden Tape (@forbiddenall22) December 27, 2025

On the next play, Emanuel Wilson couldn’t catch a backwards pass from Love, who was charged with a fumble out of bounds. These blunders simply cannot happen. Love put it right in his hands. After a third down incompletion, the offense kicked a field goal.

In the 3rd quarter, Malik Willis, who was in at this point for Love, had a chance to hit the edge on a zone read but didn’t stay outside behind the arc block.

Packers Malik Willis red zone zone read pic.twitter.com/jEVUkwY4wO

— Forbidden Tape (@forbiddenall22) December 27, 2025

It’s a difficult decision to make to push outside when the opposite color flashes because it happens quickly but Willis has the speed to beat the defender here. He still had a positive gain so not all is lost but the better option might have been to continue to the sideline and up.

Speaking of Josh Jacobs…

Packers Josh Jacobs red zone fumble pic.twitter.com/aVuQv1CAGE

— Forbidden Tape (@forbiddenall22) December 27, 2025

On the very next play after the Willis zone read, Jacobs fumbled. That’s more points taken off the board.

Later in the 4th quarter, in the last red zone trip they would get, they settled for a field goal after three failed play calls, the most notable being an inside duo run that showed why the Packers are missing Tucker Kraft.

Packers red zone duo run pic.twitter.com/zboZiQOTa3

— Forbidden Tape (@forbiddenall22) December 27, 2025

On duo, the running back would typically bounce to the edge when the middle linebacker here fits the run up the middle. But Jacobs can’t because Luke Musgrave loses the block inside from the defensive end who gets into the backfield, preventing Jacobs from hitting that path.

The Packers made the playoffs but they’ll need better effort here to go on a run and win some playoff games. Goes without saying though.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...-fell-apart-in-the-red-zone-against-the-bears

 

[Green Bay Packers]

Matt LaFleur gives updates on Jordan Love, Malik Willis injuries

After the Green Bay Packers’ blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Matt LaFleur was asked about the status of his top two quarterbacks, who were both listed as questionable to play against the Ravens on the team’s final injury report of the week on Thursday. Love was later downgraded to out on Friday, while Willis made the start under center, despite battling through a shoulder injury and an illness.

On the topic of Love, LaFleur said that the quarterback is feeling good, but that he simply did not pass concussion protocol in time. The head coach also said that he hasn’t decided whether he will be sitting Love (or other starters) in the final game of the regular season next week against the Minnesota Vikings. With the Packers’ recent loss, they’re now locked into the seventh seed of the NFC, meaning that they have nothing to gain, from a playoff seeding standpoint, by throwing their starters on the field next week.

Willis played very well with Love out, going 18 of 21 passing for 288 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Willis also ran for 60 yards and two more scores. He missed parts of the last two Packers offensive drives, though, after he apparently reaggravated his throwing shoulder injury, which he suffered last week, on a non-contact play.

Willis took a trip to the locker room before returning to the sideline and throwing the ball. While Willis was out, practice squad quarterback Clayton Tune, who was elevated to the gameday 48-man roster earlier today, threw a ball behind his target, cornerback/receiver Bo Melton, which ended up getting tipped up and picked off by cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who had one functional hand after being stepped up on by a teammate earlier in the game.

By the time the Packers got the ball back after that interception, Green Bay chose to run the clock with their reserves playing on offense. LaFleur said that Willis could have entered back into the game at that point, but the team chose to play the reserves through 0:00 on the clock.

On the topic of the Willis fumbled snap, the one that bounced off his mask, LaFleur claims that Willis was attempting to audible the play and hadn’t even begun to start his cadence when center Sean Rhyan hiked the ball. It sounds like the staff is going to put that one down as a negative for Rhyan, not Willis.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...-updates-on-jordan-love-malik-willis-injuries

 

[Green Bay Packers]

The Packers have done what no other NFL team has done before

According to the Associated Press’ Josh Dubow, there had never been an NFL team that lost three individual games in a single season without having to punt in them. That was until Saturday night, when the Green Bay Packers lost to the Baltimore Ravens.

Per Dubow, only two other teams in the Super Bowl era have lost two of these games in a single season: the 2021 Los Angeles Chargers and the 2024 Cincinnati Bengals. I’m sure this will increase with the amount of fourth-down attempts that teams are taking now, but for right now, Green Bay has pulled off an NFL first.

Here is the Packers’ path to their unique season.

Carolina Panthers @ Green Bay Packers​

The Packers had two turnovers in this game, a Savion Williams fumble on the 15-yard line on the team’s opening drive of the game and a Jordan Love interception. Between those two drives, the Packers attempted three field goals and hit two of them.

In the fourth quarter, though, Green Bay turned it over on downs on the 13-yard line. They responded on the next drive by scoring their lone touchdown of the day, giving them a 13-13 tied score, before the Panthers drove 40 yards to kick the game-winning field goal as time expired.

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears​

The only true turnover of this game was Josh Jacobs’ fumble near the goal line. With that being said, the Packers were particularly bad in the red zone in this game, as they went into the red zone five times but never came away with a touchdown.

Green Bay turned the ball over on downs on the first drive of the game and the lone drive in overtime. They also allowed the clock to expire in both the first and second halves of the game.

Baltimore Ravens @ Green Bay Packers​

Despite Malik Willis playing well as Jordan Love’s replacement starter, Green Bay just wasn’t able to stop the Baltimore rushing offense. Even though the team scored 24 points, which usually is enough to be at least competitive in most NFL games, the Ravens dropped 41 on the Packers.

Green Bay turned the ball over on downs twice, once in garbage time when Clayton Tune was already under center, fumbled once when the snap from Sean Rhyan came too early while Willis was attempting to audible, Tune threw an interception and the Packers also ran out the clock to end the first half. But no punts!

–

Going into the playoffs, the only Green Bay player who is well-rested is punter Daniel Whelan. What an odd season.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...e-done-what-no-other-nfl-team-has-done-before

 

[Green Bay Packers]

Rashan Gary’s production has been worse than you think

Throughout the year, I’ve been keeping tabs on Rashan Gary’s production because, despite recording some clean-up sacks early in the season, his down-to-down rate of generating actual pressure has been terrible. Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look at some data for the Green Bay Packers pass-rusher.

Let’s start with this chart. The X axis measures how many pass-rush attempts players have posted in edge alignments (per NFL Pro) in the 2025 season. The Y axis is how many quick pressures (defined as pressures generated in three seconds or fewer, per NFL Pro).

Obviously, Gary sticks out like a sore thumb. No player in the league gets more opportunities to rush the passer than him, while also having less of an impact on the quarterback within three seconds of the snap.

Why does three seconds matter? Well, first of all, every NFL team in the league is averaging a time to throw under three seconds, except the Kansas City Chiefs. So, in general, that’s about how quickly you can expect the ball to be out in this league, unless a quarterback gets thrown out of rhythm (likely by a quick pressure!)

I looked at NFL Pro’s data, which dates back to the 2018 season, to try to answer this question: Has anyone ever done less with more opportunities than 2025 Rashan Gary? The answer is yes, but barely.

Since 2018, there have been 206 edge defenders who have, in a single season, played at least 377 snaps as pass-rushers, like Gary. Among those players, the average was 24 quick pressures per season. Gary has just six in 2025. The average quick pressure rate in this group was 5.5 percent. Gary is at 1.6 percent.

So, Gary is playing at less than one-third of the efficiency of a player who typically commands his level of playing time, which is maybe one reason why he was finally out-snapped by both Lukas Van Ness and Kingsley Enagbare in Week 17.

Out of those 206 edge defenders, only two posted fewer than six quick pressures in a single year:

• 2022 Cameron Jordan
• 2021 Malik Reed

After the 2021 season, Reed only made four more starts in his NFL career, spending the next two years with three franchises. He has been out of the league for the last two seasons.

From a quick pressure percentage standpoint, only four seasons from this group (of 206 players, mind you) have been worse than Gary’s 1.6 percent rate:

• 2020 Cameron Jordan
• 2022 Cameron Jordan
• 2021 Malik Reed
• 2021 D.J. Wonnum

After spending four years with the Minnesota Vikings, D.J. Wonnum signed a two-year, $12.5 million ($6.25 million APY) deal with the Carolina Panthers, where he’s posted six sacks over 21 starts. Those numbers are well below both Gary’s $24 million APY and his $28 million cap hit in 2026.

At one point (specifically 2022), Gary was a great pass-rusher. Those days are now over.

Rashan Gary's quick pressure rate this year is the worst of any of his NFL seasons pic.twitter.com/mtR5OYduOp

— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) November 18, 2025

Even using an eight-year window, it’s hard to find a lot of comparisons for Gary’s production this season. To add on top of that, Jordan, Reed and Wonnum certainly didn’t get to play with Micah Parsons, who was one of the more productive pass-rushers in the league this year (maybe only second to Myles Garrett).

Last night’s game against the Ravens, where Gary shifted into the third defensive end role for the first time since Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith were the team’s starters, was probably the last time that we’ll see Gary in green and gold at Lambeau Field.

Gary has an $18 million salary in 2026, which just isn’t worth the cost of his production. The Packers can save $11 million in cap space immediately with a pre-June 1 release of Gary, which is probably the option that Green Bay will take this offseason.

The Packers took Gary with the 12th pick, the highest the team has selected since 2009, to hopefully turn him into the pass-rusher of the future. After a couple of years of development, Gary became one of the better bull-rushers in the league. Just as quickly as he turned into a star, though, his play began to fall off, potentially because of his 2022 ACL tear. Unfortunately for Green Bay, this fit hand-in-hand with the timing of Gary’s 2023 mid-season extension.

Ultimately, it’s hard to make the case that the selection and extension of Gary was a net positive for the team, but for a time, it did look like the draft-and-develop plan for him was going to work.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...arys-production-has-been-worse-than-you-think

 

[Green Bay Packers]

The Packers have a 60 percent chance of a Bears rematch in the playoffs

According to the New York Times/The Athletic playoff simulator, there’s only a 60 percent chance of the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears getting a rubber match in Chicago for the wild card round, despite the Packers being locked into the NFC’s seventh seed and the Bears currently holding onto the NFC’s second seed.

Here’s how the second seed math works right now, according to The Athletic.

If the Bears beat the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Chicago will lock in the second seed. If they lose, the Bears only have a 13 percent chance of being the second seed because of how likely it is that the Philadelphia Eagles will beat the Washington Commanders.

The only way for the Packers to play anyone but the Bears in the playoffs is if Chicago loses and Philadelphia wins in Week 18. But in the mind of the playoff simulator, that’s not an unlikely outcome. In that scenario, a seventh-seeded Green Bay would go and visit the second-seeded Eagles in the wild-card round, just like last season.

Basically, if you’re a Packers fan rooting for a Bears rematch this postseason, you’re either going to be a Lions fan on Sunday or a Bears AND Commanders fan for the late slate.

The Bears are just 1.5-point favorites at home against the Lions on DraftKings, while the Eagles are 7.5-point favorites at home over the Commanders. Interestingly, the Packers are 6.5-point underdogs against the Minnesota Vikings, a sign that books believe that Green Bay will sit their starters, despite head coach Matt LaFleur saying the decision has yet to be made.

The Packers will play at noon CT, while both the Bears and Eagles will kick off at 4:25 pm CT on Sunday.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...ent-chance-of-a-bears-rematch-in-the-playoffs

 

[Green Bay Packers]

Packers Discussion: Is Matt LaFleur still coaching for his job?

There’s a very real chance that the Green Bay Packers, who books seem to believe will be sitting out their starters in Week 18, will end the regular season by finishing the year 0-4. After locking in the seventh seed for the third year in a row, some are wondering whether Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who new Green Bay president and CEO Ed Policy did not extend this offseason, is still fighting for his job in 2026.

I want to hear what you guys think.

For the most part, I really see one of two things happening this offseason:

1. LaFleur gets a multi-year extension.
2. LaFleur gets offered a short-term extension (which would really benefit the team more than anything else), but he turns it down and goes into 2026 in a true contract year situation.

I don’t think that he’s going to be gone in 2026. I think all of the injuries mounting really gives the team the opportunity to just run the 2025 squad back (down a couple of free agents and with a few new draft picks) next year, with the hope that this time around they’ll be healthier.

Obviously, a big blowout loss in the wild-card round, depending on how it looks, could change things, but it would need to look like the Packers’ Week 17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens for things to even move the needle. Remember, that was the first game all year that Green Bay lost by more than a possession.

But let’s hear where you guys think all things LaFleur are at, now that our eyes are on the postseason.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...on-is-matt-lafleur-still-coaching-for-his-job

 

[Green Bay Packers]

Green Bay Packers News: Parsons posts positive update after ACL surgery

There’s no doubt about it; The vibes among Packers fans have plummeted in recent weeks. But if you’re like me — that is to say, chronically looking for something positive to hold on to — here’s some decent news: Micah Parsons’ road to recovery has finally begun in earnest.

After undergoing surgery to repair the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season, Micah Parsons chimed in to offer cheeseheads a hopeful sign. In a message shared on social media following his procedure, he said “today went amazing!!! LFG!!,” signaling a successful surgery and marking the first tangible milestone in what will certainly be a lengthy rehab process.

I know that’s not exactly a detailed timeline offered by Parsons’ camp, but pardon me for seeking optimism for the future at this point. Experts generally agree that recovery from an ACL repair takes about nine months, which suggests Parsons could miss the early portion of next season.

In addition to the physical hurdles, Parsons has been pretty candid about the emotional and mental challenges of working through his injury, posting thoughtful reflections on the ups and downs of his journey back on social media.

The Packers appear to be bringing a spoon to a knife fight in this year’s playoffs. That’s all the more reason for me to set my eyes on future milestones and the potential achievements of 2026. ‘Tis the season for that, I guess.

Micah Parsons’ post-surgery update gives Packers fans hope – Green Bay’s ailing pass rusher checked in after a successful surgery to repair his torn ACL.

ICYMI: Why Rashan Gary should be a healthy scratch – “Not only has it become clear that Gary is not worth star defensive end money; I also don’t think he’s even worth rostering on gameday.”

Packers welcome back Jonathan Ford – The Packers have claimed DL Jonathan Ford, a 2022 draft pick, off waivers from Bears.

Another late-season slump raises significant questions about Packers – After three straight losses, the Packers will be the No. 7 seed; a disappointing result compared to expectations at the beginning of the season.

PHOTOS: Lee Remmel to receive Pro Football Hall of Fame Award of Excellence – Remmel, who died in 2005 at the age of 90, covered and served the team in various capacities starting in the 1960s.

You think you got a bad Christmas gift? Read this – ‘Tis the season for people share the most “WTF” gifts they’ve ever received.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...rsons-posts-positive-update-after-acl-surgery

 

[Green Bay Packers]

What the Packers’ salary cap situation could look like in 2026

Most of this article was written before the Green Bay Packers made a bunch of moves at the start of Week 18, but they shouldn’t materially change my objective of this article: to give you a picture of what the Packers’ 2026 offseason will probably look like from a cap situation.

There’s a lot of bad information out there about the Packers’ cap situation, in part because the information is only partial. So I want to do a fairly deep dive into what Green Bay’s actual outlook is going into next year.

To set the table, here are the members of the 53-man roster (or injury lists) who are under contract for 2026:

53-Man Roster/Injury List Players Under Contract​

• QB: Jordan Love
• RB: Josh Jacobs and MarShawn Lloyd
• WR: Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Matthew Golden and Savion Williams
• TE: Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave
• OL: Jordan Morgan, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Anthony Belton, Zach Tom, Travis Glover, Jacob Monk and John Williams
• DE: Micah Parsons, Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver
• DT: Devonte Wyatt, Colby Wooden, Karl Brooks, Warren Brinson, Jordon Riley and Nazir Stackhouse
• LB: Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie and Ty’Ron Hopper
• CB: Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and Nate Hobbs
• S: Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard and Kitan Oladapo
• K: Brandon McManus
• P: Daniel Whelan
• LS: Matt Orzech

The majority of the Packers’ cap space will be spent on these players. With that being said, Green Bay likely ends up moving off both offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins and defensive end Rashan Gary, based on their price tags and their contributions to the team this season. We’ll get into that later.

First, I want to discuss some factors that aren’t being accounted for on cap tables on sites like Spotrac, for example.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents​

ERFAs are players who have less than three accrued seasons in the NFL. Essentially, this is a way for the league to allow teams to retain former practice squad players at a cheap cost. These players almost always have their tenders picked up, and the tenders come at a cost of about $1 million.

• OL: Donovan Jennings
• CB: Bo Melton and Kamal Hadden

Assume that Jennings, Melton and Hadden will all be back in Green Bay next year. This is very important to keep in mind because the top 51 cap hits on the roster are how offseason cap space is calculated. Since the Packers have fewer than 51 players under contract, there’s this perception that Green Bay has more cap space than they actually have going into 2026, because of the false vacancies on its offseason 90-man roster. Those spots will eventually be filled almost immediately when the season ends, as the team will sign reserve/futures players (basically their practice squadders to minimum deals.)

So, just because the Packers hypothetically have $20 million in cap space with around 40 players under contract doesn’t mean that the team can actually spend that $20 million, because they’ll need around $12 million of that to even fill the team with league-minimum players (and rookie undrafted free agents even come with signing bonuses now, an added cost.)

Restricted Free Agents​

Restricted free agents are players who have spent three years in the league but have had their contracts expire. The minimum tender to keep these players for one more season is about $3.2 million. I believe the only Packers player who will receive a tender is swing tackle Darian Kinnard, whom the team traded a pick for at the cutdown deadline last year.

Otherwise, if the team wants to bring back these players, they usually turn down their tender, let them hit unrestricted free agency (true free agency) and then re-sign them to a minimum one-year salary with a decent signing bonus. An example of this from last year was John FitzPatrick’s deal, worth $1.5 million over one year.

• RB: Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks
• TE: Josh Whyle
• OL: Darian Kinnard
• DE: Brenton Cox Jr. and Arron Mosby

So, in this scenario, we’re going to calculate that Chris Brooks, Josh Whyle and Arron Mosby come back on $1.5 million deals, while Kinnard has his $3.2 million tender picked up. Brooks plays as the team’s blocking back and contributes heavily on special teams, as does Mosby. In fact, Mosby is so valuable to the team in the kicking game that they healthy scratched both Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver, two rookie draft picks, against the Baltimore Ravens to keep Mosby active, even though Mosby almost exclusively plays on special teams.

With the FitzPatrick Achilles injury, it would be smart for the team to run Whyle back on a cheap deal, too. They’ve had their eye on him for a while, bringing him on a pre-draft visit back in the 2023 draft. When Whyle was released by the Titans this summer, the first time he was made available since draft day, the Packers scooped him up and signed him to the practice squad.

Unrestricted Free Agents​

These are the players you think about when true free agency is brought up.

• QB: Malik Willis
• WR: Romeo Doubs
• TE: John FitzPatrick
• OL: Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan
• DE: Kingsley Enagbare
• DT: Quinton Bohanna and Jonathan Ford
• LB: Quay Walker, Nick Niemann and Kristian Welch
• S: Zayne Anderson

If you want to read about contract projections for these players, you can find that information and the full justifications HERE. If you want the short of it, here’s what I think happens this offseason:

• Rasheed Walker signs for a deal worth around $20 million per, which will earn the Packers a 2027 fourth-round compensatory pick.
• Quay Walker signs for a deal worth around $15 million per, which will earn the Packers a 2027 fifth-round compensatory pick.
• Romeo Doubs signs for a deal worth around $13 million per, which will earn the Packers a 2027 fifth-round compensatory pick.
• After his recent play, I think Malik Willis will end up signing a deal in the $10 million to $15 million per range, which will earn the Packers a 2027 fifth-round compensatory pick.

Those will be Green Bay’s four biggest free agents. Teams are only allowed to receive four compensatory picks per offseason, so these are the only ones that are relevant for the Packers.

For fun, let’s do some projecting of who Green Bay brings back, beyond these players.

I think center Sean Rhyan could be brought back for a deal in the range that Jon Runyan Jr., who was also a part-time player for the Packers on his first contract, signed when he left Green Bay. Runyan inked a three-year, $30 million deal ($10 million per) that had a Year 1 cap hit of $6.5 million.

I also think two candidates who are likely to return to the Packers are veteran special teamers in linebacker Nick Niemann and Zayne Anderson. Let’s go ahead and give them one-year deals worth $1.5 million, on par with long snapper Matt Orzech’s cap hit. Again, this is about as cheap as Green Bay gives out contracts during pre-draft free agency.

I’m sure some people will want to bring back either Brenton Cox Jr. or Kingsley Enagbare, but the team is already struggling to get Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver up on gameday because of the jogjam at the position. They’re going to need Sorrell and Oliver to produce fruit, and keeping Cox and Enagbare around won’t help the situation.

2026 Cap Situation Update​

Alright, so if that conservative offseason is how it plays out for the Packers, what does their cap situation look like? Below would be their top 51 cap hits once you include place holders for the team’s upcoming draft picks (which also need to be accounted for).

1. QB Jordan Love: $36.2 million
2. OL Aaron Banks: $24.9 million
3. DE Micah Parsons: $19.2 million
4. S Xavier McKinney: $19.1 million
5. RB Josh Jacobs: $14.6 million
6. CB Nate Hobbs: $13.1 million
7. DT Devonte Wyatt: $12.9 million
8. OL Zach Tom: $12.1 million
9. CB Keisean Nixon: $7.1 million
10. WR Christian Watson: $7 million
11. OL Sean Rhyan: $6.5 million
12. DE Lukas Van Ness: $5.5 million
13. K Brandon McManus: $5.4 million
14. LB Isaiah McDuffie: $5 million
15. WR Matthew Golden: $4 million
16. OL Jordan Morgan: $3.9 million
17. TE Tucker Kraft: $3.8 million (PPE increase)
18. WR Dontayvion Wicks: $3.5 million (PPE increase)
19. DT Karl Brooks: $3.5 million (PPE increase)
20. CB Carrington Valentine: $3.5 million (PPE increase)
21. OL Darian Kinnard: $3.2 million (RFA tender)
22. TE Luke Musgrave: $2.7 million
23. P Daniel Whelan: $2.4 million
24. WR Jayden Reed: $2.3 million
25. LB Edgerrin Cooper: $2.3 million
26. OL Anthony Belton: $1.8 million
27. S Javon Bullard: $1.8 million
28. RB MarShawn Lloyd: $1.6 million
29. RB Chris Brooks: $1.5 million (cheap 1-year deal)
30. TE Josh Whyle: $1.5 million (cheap 1-year deal)
31. DE Arron Mosby: $1.5 million (cheap 1-year deal)
32. LB Ty’Ron Hopper: $1.5 million (cheap 1-year deal)
33. LB Nick Niemann: $1.5 million (cheap 1-year deal)
34. S Zayne Anderson: $1.5 million (cheap 1-year deal)
35. LS Matt Orzech: $1.5 million
36. 53rd overall pick placeholder: $1.5 million
37. WR Savion Williams: $1.4 million
38. DT Colby Wooden: $1.3 million
39. S Evan Williams: $1.3 million
40. OL Jacob Monk: $1.2 million
41. DE Barryn Sorrell: $1.2 million
42. S Kitan Oladapo: $1.2 million
43. 85th overall pick placeholder: $1.2 million
44. OL Travis Glover: $1.1 million
45. DE Collin Oliver: $1.1 million
46. DT Warren Brinson: $1.1 million
47. DT Jordon Riley: $1.1 million
48. 121st overall pick placeholder: $1.1 million
49. Various: $1 million
50. Various: $1 million
51. Various: $1 million

So what’s the count? Well, including the remaining dead caps for Kenny Clark ($17 million), Gary ($11 million) and Jenkins ($4.8 million), Green Bay will have around $291 million on the cap in 2026, based on my back-of-the-napkin math. The NFL’s cap in 2026 is expected to be $295.5 million, per Over the Cap.

The good news is that the Packers will roll over about $10 million in cap space from 2025 into 2026 as it stands today, which should give the team about $14.5 million to work with next year.

Here’s the bad news. That $14.5 million will need to account for the following:

• The cost of the two extra roster spots (51 to 53) once the cutdown deadline passes at the end of the preseason. (Assume this costs about $1 million for each roster spot.)
• The cost of all 17 practice squad spots on the team throughout the year. ($234,000 to $315,000 per player for the season. Average cost around $4 million in total.)
• Replacement players on the 53-man roster whenever any player goes on the injured reserve. (About $1 million each, depending on when in the year this happens.)
• Any extensions, including to players like Tucker Kraft, who is a free agent after next year.

Functionally, that remaining $14 million ($10 million that’s coming from the 2025 team) is close to $0.

So don’t expect the team to do anything crazy in the offseason. For the most part, the money has been spent, as have the next two years’ first-round picks. On top of that, the Packers are incentivized to sit out unrestricted free agency this year (for outside signings) because they will be rewarded with draft picks in 2027 for doing so (they’re going to need their draft picks).

The team has positioned itself where improvements to the 2026 team will have to come from one of these three paths: development, players staying healthier in 2026 or hitting on draft picks as rookies.

Can’t we just borrow cap space?​

This is a question we’re going to hear non-stop. I get why people ask it. The answer is no.

Because of how the Packers structure their contracts, there’s a pretty quick escalation of how much more veteran players cost as they progress through multi-year deals.

For example, let’s look at the combined costs of quarterback Jordan Love, running back Josh Jacobs, left guard Aaron Banks, right tackle Zach Tom, defensive end Micah Parsons, cornerback Nate Hobbs and safety Xavier McKinney. All seven of these players are veterans who are under contract through 2027.

In 2025, these players cost the Packers $91.6 million in cap space. Next year, they will cost an extra $47.6 million ($139.2 million) on the cap. In 2027, it will rise to $162.9 million.

Can they borrow from the future to juice the team in 2026? Sure, if they’re absolutely committed to completely tearing it down in 2027. What I believe is a more likely path, though, is that the team treads water in 2026 (from a free agency perspective), borrows from the future in 2027 (when they’ll really need the cap relief) and then try to hold onto this Love-Parsons-McKinney window for as long as possible before they have to start selling off parts (see: the Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers trades).

–

Be careful with what types of cap projections you’re looking at for 2026. If they are bare bones, they probably show the Packers having a lot of false cap space, money they won’t be able to play around with when free agency actually starts. Thinking that there’s money coming down the pike, when in reality there isn’t, will just set you up for disappointment.

Green Bay will need place holders for their top draft picks. They will probably tender Kinnard and bring back their ERFAs. They will also probably try to bring back other veterans on deals in the $1.5 million range. They will have a 51-man roster, with all of those spots counting against the cap, whenever they sign their reserve/futures deals (what practice squad players sign) the week after their season ends. Players like Tucker Kraft, Dontayvion Wicks, Karl Brooks and Carrington Valentine will also get multi-million dollar proven performance escalators for the amount of playing time that they hit in the first three years of their rookie deals.

Once you start accounting for that, before you even start thinking about a Tucker Kraft extension, the Packers’ cap situation is put in a very different light.

Take my advice: Don’t spend too much time overthinking Green Bay’s cap situation in 2026. Skip free agency and just go straight into the draft prospects. The Packers would currently own three picks in the top 160 selections in the 2026 draft, if the season ended today. They’ll need to be very smart with how they use those draft choices.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...-salary-cap-situation-could-look-like-in-2026

 

[Green Bay Packers]

Wednesday Cheese Curds: Coaching carousel begins to spin

Here at the close of 2025, it’s only natural to look ahead to 2026. How will the Packers fare next season? What will their cap situation look like? Who’s going to be coaching the team?

I find the last question especially compelling since there’s really no way to predict the wild world of the NFL coaching carousel. In Green Bay, Matt LaFleur figures to be a good bet to be the head man for the Packers next season, but as the Packers limp toward the finish, it’s hard to say he’s a 100%, stone-cold lock.

It’s even less sure that defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is going to be calling the defense next season. Hafley was a hot name in the coaching search last year, and figures to be again this season. Already, he’s been connected to both the New York Jets (who, for the record, haven’t even fired their head coach yet) and the New York Giants. Given his growing reputation, it seems like he’s going to get a head coaching gig sooner or later, whether it’s this offseason or next.

How will the Packers handle coaching staff turnover? Who will they find to fill vacancies? Is there any chance they could improve through coaching changes?

All we can do is wait and see if they even have to make a switch.

NFL head coaching carousel intel, latest Week 18 buzz, news | ESPN

The Jeff Hafley coaching buzz continues to build.

5 things to know about Packers DL Jonathan Ford | Packers.com

The newest face on the Packers’ defensive line is an old friend.

Lukas Van Ness making real progress, pushing for starting role in 2026 | Packers Wire

Elsewhere on the defensive front, Lukas Van Ness is having a solid season outside of the time he’s missed due to injury.

Josh Jacobs Struggles Open Door for Wilson and Brooks in Week 18 | Sports Illustrated

Jacobs is seemingly running out of gas as the season winds down.

Mike Tomlin ‘committed to making sure’ Steelers’ finale vs. Ravens isn’t Aaron Rodgers’ last game | NFL.com

The Steelers have been trying to put the AFC North away for a month but just can’t seem to get the job done.

Debate over surfing in German park gets gnarly after city removes wave-creating device | Associated Press

Freshwater surfing is a big deal in Germany, but it’s getting contentious as well.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...cheese-curds-coaching-carousel-begins-to-spin

 

[Green Bay Packers]

Packers Injury Report: LB designated to return from IR

The Green Bay Packers have officially opened the practice window for linebacker Nick Niemann, who went on the injured reserve with a pectoral injury, to return. He will have 21 days to practice with the Packers before the team will need to make the decision to either end his season or bring him up to the 53-man roster. During those 21 days, Green Bay is free to call him up to the active roster.

Niemann was initially replaced by Kristian Welch, both of whom are more special teams contributors than actual linebackers, but Welch is now on the injured reserve as well.

Niemann was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday, along with the following players:

• QB Malik Willis (right shoulder/hamstring)
• RB Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle)
• WR Jayden Reed (illness)
• WR Savion Williams (foot/illness)
• LG Aaron Banks (illness/ankle)
• RT Zach Tom (back/knee)
• OL John Williams (back-IR)
• DE Lukas Van Ness (illness/foot)
• LB Edgerrin Cooper (shoulder)

Beyond those players, receiver Dontayvion Wicks was a non-participant due to a concussion on Wednesday, while quarterback Jordan Love remains in the concussion protocol but was a full participant in practice.

The Packers have also placed the following players on the injured reserve this week:

• DT Jordon Riley
• CB Nate Hobbs
• CB Kamal Hadden
• S Zayne Anderson

The earliest that any of those players can return is in the Super Bowl.

Niemann’s designation to return is the Packers’ fifth of the year. Teams are allowed eight of these designations per regular season and are awarded two more for the postseason. As far as I can tell, the only other player who could possibly return (at least before the Super Bowl) is running back MarShawn Lloyd, who would be able to join the 53-man roster as early as the divisional round of the playoffs.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...injury-report-lb-designated-to-return-from-ir

 

[Green Bay Packers]

Packers awarded former All-Pro CB Trevon Diggs on waivers

The Green Bay Packers will get a reinforcement ahead of the playoffs. On Wednesday, the Packers were awarded cornerback Trevon Diggs after he was waived by the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, reportedly for staying back in his hometown of Washington after Christmas despite the team denying his request.

As we covered earlier in the week, Diggs has been about an average cornerback this year, but he’s historically had more production on the ball than the Packers’ group of cornerbacks. On top of that, Green Bay has already placed Kamal Hadden on the injured reserve after his injury last week and fellow cornerback Nate Hobbs appears to be banged up, too, all while Bo Melton has exclusively played receiver, not cornerback, this year. In short, the Packers were down on cornerback bodies going into the playoffs, which is why the team promoted two from their practice squad to the 53-man roster on Tuesday.

Diggs has a lot of ties to Green Bay. First of all, he was recruited to Alabama by Packers passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley. He’s also very close with fellow Dallas Cowboys Micah Parsons. Parsons, along with quarterback Jordan Love and safety Xavier McKinney, shares the same agent as Diggs, Athletes First’s David Mulugheta. McKinney also played with Diggs at Alabama, and head coach Matt LaFleur is also represented by Athletes First.

The addition of Diggs will cost the Packers about half a million in cap space, but now, at minimum, they’ll have a non-practice squadder available to play in the playoffs if either Keisean Nixon or Carrington Valentine end up going down.

All of Diggs’ guarantees have expired, meaning his addition is functionally just for the end of this season. The Packers will likely release (or restructure) Diggs by the start of the 2026 new league year.

Green Bay had an open roster spot on the 53-man roster before this move, so there was no corresponding move that needed to be made. The Packers also had an open practice squad spot going into today, which they used to sign quarterback Desmond Ridder, a third-round pick in the 2022 draft.

Update:

There’s been a bunch of stats thrown out there, so I wanted to update the bottom of this post with what I think is the most important stat for cornerbacks: Adjusted yards allowed per coverage snap.

The graph above plots all 429 seasons in which outside cornerbacks have played as many snaps as 2025 Trevon Diggs since 2020 (when he entered the league). Highlighted are all of Diggs’ seasons since then and qualifying Green Bay Packers seasons since 2020.

Adjusted yards allowed per coverage snap is like yards allowed per coverage snap, but it treats a surrendered touchdown as a bonus of 20 yards given up (on top of the pure yardage) and an interception caught as wiping out 45 yards. Why treat touchdown and interception values like this? Because it’s much more correlated to wins than passer rating.

I have my own issues with passer rating, but I think it’s particularly dumb to use it to evaluate seasons that cornerbacks have had. For example, if a cornerback surrenders one reception on one target for eight yards over 50 coverage snaps, he would have surrendered a 100.0 passer rating for the game, a terrible rate. If you used adjusted yards allowed per coverage snap, though, eight yards given up on 50 coverage snaps is just 0.16, a great score.

Ultimately, a cornerback’s job is to prevent yardage being given up, targeted or not, not just to be efficient when targeted.

Either way, Diggs had a pretty significant drop-off between 2024 and 2025. Maybe a new home is what he needed to bounce back. With that being said, both Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine (who were above the NFL average in 2024) have also been in a slump this year, in part because everyone not named Micah Parsons has struggled to impact opposing quarterbacks.

Source: https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...ded-former-all-pro-cb-trevon-diggs-on-waivers