Packers: Important dates before start of 2021 season

For Green Bay Packers fans, we’re in the worst part of the year. The OTAs and minicamp finished last month, and it’s a quiet period before training camp.

But the good news is that it’s almost over and the Packers will be back on the practice field very soon making their preparations for the regular season.

As well as training camp, there are other important dates for Packers fans to know including the preseason and roster cuts.

Here are some of the key dates for the Packers before Week 1 of the regular season.

Packers important dates before 2021 season

Packers training camp

Green Bay’s rookies will report to training camp later this week on Friday, July 23. They will be joined by the veterans next week on Tuesday, July 27.

The team’s first practice will be held a day later on Wednesday, July 28 with the final practice open to the public on Thursday, Aug. 19. Family Night will return this year and will take place on Saturday, Aug. 7.

Packers preseason

Due to the pandemic, there were no preseason games last season. But preseason makes its return this year and Green Bay will play in three games.

• Saturday, Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. CT vs. Houston Texans
• Saturday, Aug. 21 at 3:25 p.m. CT vs. New York Jets
• Saturday, Aug. 28 at 12 noon CT at Buffalo Bills

Green Bay will then have two weeks to prepare for its regular-season opener on the road against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 3:25 p.m. CT.

Packers roster cuts

Following training camp and the preseason, Green Bay will need to trim its roster down to 53 players. It’s a gradual process.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, rosters need to be cut down from 90 players to 85 by August 17, down to 80 players by August 24, and finally down to 53 players by August 31. That’s three days after the final preseason game.