The Green Bay Packers are off to a losing start in the preseason, but the result is the least important takeaway from the game.
Matt LaFleur's players got some reps under their belts. The starters were out there to begin the game, including Jordan Love, but not for long. It was the backups leading the way for most of the contest. Unfortunately, there was no Aaron Rodgers on the other side.
The Packers came out of the game relatively healthy, but it was an up-and-down performance with lots of lessons to learn. Here are our instant reactions to the defeat.
Instant takeaways from Packers' up-and-down performance in the preseason opener
1. Trey Smack is the biggest winner of the night. He converted all three of his field goals, including a 58-yarder. He had another 58-yard conversion that didn't count due to a penalty on the Steelers. A big night for the rookie.
2. How will the Packers' pass rush fare without Micah Parsons? The early indications were promising. Lukas Van Ness broke through for a sack on the Steelers' opening drive. Brenton Cox Jr. followed with one of his own. An encouraging start.
3. Keisean Nixon didn't do much to win over Packers fans. He showed little effort with a missed tackle on a 25-yard reception by Steelers rookie receiver Germie Bernard. There's just no excuse for strolling toward the ball carrier and looking unbothered, even in the preseason.
4. It was the complete opposite for second-round rookie Brandon Cisse, who continued to build on a strong summer. His best play was a touchdown-saving tackle on former Packers running back Lew Nichols at the 3-yard line.
5. Tyrod Taylor is not Malik Willis. He didn't make the strongest first impression, completing four of eight passes for 21 yards.
6. Kyle McCord may have locked up the QB3 job (likely on the practice squad rather than the 53-man roster). He had an excellent game, completing 12 of 16 passes for 102 yards. Kyron Drones barely played, suggesting McCord has already won that position battle.
7. MarShawn Lloyd looked explosive, but the Packers' offensive line struggled to get much movement in the run game. Green Bay averaged 2.6 yards on the ground, a concerning trend continuing from last season.
8. Isaiah Neyor and J. Michael Sturdivant combined for six catches for 56 yards. They both showed promise, but it might not be enough to earn a roster spot. The Packers are six-deep at wide receiver already, and it was going to take something special from either player to enter the conversation. There's still time, but they both have a mountain to climb to make the 53-man roster.
9. Anthony Campbell continued to flash promise after impressing throughout training camp, but he exited the game early after suffering an apparent knee injury. Hopefully he's OK.
10. Mark Perry was one of the standouts at safety, but he also suffered an injury. The Packers will hope it's nothing serious. Perry finished the game with six tackles, including four solo. Murvin Kenion III also showed potential with an impressive touchdown-saving pass breakup in the end zone.
11. Backups or not, the Packers' defense allowed Steelers quarterbacks to complete 27 of 33 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns, good for a 128.8 passer rating. The depth at the back end of the roster is concerning.
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