The time for talking is over. Months of speculation and roster moves have led to this moment, the start of Green Bay Packers training camp.
For some, it's a golden opportunity to stand out and secure a surprise spot on the 53-man roster. For others, it's about trying not to lose what they have. A starting job, snaps, targets, even roster spots.
Four Packers, in particular, are in desperate need of a strong summer at Ray Nitschke Field. They will be looking over their shoulders as training camp begins.
These four Packers players enter training camp under immense pressure
Luke Musgrave, TE
There's a reason why the Packers took two swings at the tight end position three years ago, selecting Luke Musgrave in the second round and Tucker Kraft in the third. Brian Gutekunst understood it was a position of need and hoped at least one of them would reach their potential.
Mission accomplished, as Kraft has become one of the league's premier tight ends. Musgrave, though, is on thin ice.
The 2023 second-round pick missed a golden opportunity last season. Green Bay needed him to step up after Kraft tore his ACL in Week 9, but Musgrave barely made an impact. In nine games following Kraft's injury, Musgrave caught only 15 passes for 164 yards.
Green Bay couldn't rely on his blocking, either, which is why John FitzPatrick started outsnapping Musgrave late in the year.
It's now or never. Can we even confidently say he'll make the 53-man roster? Bill Huber of Packers On SI doesn't believe so, as he predicts the Packers will trade Musgrave this summer. With only a year left on his contract, it might be the Packers' best bet.
Carrington Valentine, CB
Unlike some of the other names on this list, Carrington Valentine doesn't need to worry about his spot on the 53-man roster. Not yet, at least.
In the short term, Valentine's grip on a starting job is in serious jeopardy. The Packers signed free agent Benjamin St-Juste, who could provide the strongest competition initially. Second-round draft choice Brandon Cisse is also in the mix, and perhaps even fifth-rounder Domani Jackson, although he is most likely to begin his NFL career as a backup.
If Valentine tumbles down the depth chart before Week 1, it will significantly hurt his chances of landing a new deal before his contract expires next offseason.
The Packers seem content with Keisean Nixon remaining the CB1, which puts the spotlight on Valentine. The CB2 job is his to lose entering training camp, but the pressure is on.
Ty'Ron Hopper, LB
Drafting Ty'Ron Hopper in the third round always felt like a reach, and that's unfortunately becoming an accurate assessment.
It's not even necessarily about a disastrous performance that stands out. It's the lack of opportunities that says it all. He has become a regular on special teams but offers little on defense, having played only 144 snaps in two seasons.
The Packers' offseason moves have shut down a potential pathway into the starting lineup. Despite losing Quay Walker, Green Bay quickly found his replacement by trading for veteran Zaire Franklin. Last week, the team handed Isaiah McDuffie a contract extension. And that's before even mentioning Edgerrin Cooper, who is the Packers' rising star at linebacker.
At best, Hopper is the LB4. But with Nick Niemann, who is a fantastic special-teams player, and Kristian Welch behind him on the depth chart, Hopper's roster spot isn't 100 percent guaranteed. Even if he makes the initial 53, the 2023 third-rounder is unlikely to get the opportunities he needs on defense.
Trey Smack, K
Putting a rookie on the hot seat before even playing a snap is harsh, but such is life for an NFL kicker.
The Packers want Trey Smack to succeed. Of course they do. Gutekunst burned both of his seventh-round picks to trade up for the Florida kicker. Smack enters the NFL with the leg strength to boom kicks from any distance, but his inconsistent production is a red flag.
And that showed up repeatedly in the offseason workout program. Smack struggled in multiple practices, including in the face of swirling winds during a session on June 2. By ESPN reporter Rob Demovsky's count, Smack missed four kicks on nine attempts that afternoon, including attempts from 35 and 38 yards.
The conditions won't get any easier, nor will the pressure, once the regular season begins. Smack needs to bounce back immediately at camp. Whether the Packers like it or not, they will have to seriously consider cutting their sixth-round choice in favor of Lucas Havrisik if Smack doesn't show more consistency this summer.
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