When the Green Bay Packers officially take the field for their first training camp practice on July 29, there are going to be a number of players coming in with some serious momentum.
Even though we've just been through the doldrums of the NFL offseason where almost nothing is happening, some significant progress was made during OTAs and minicamp by a handful of notable players that absolutely cannot be ignored.
For the Packers, progress of players who carry the "potential" or "unknown" label is going to be critical to the team's success in 2026. With so many notable names no longer in the building in 2026, the Packers are going to need a number of breakout seasons to get on top of the NFC North and back where they belong: In contention in the NFC.
There are four names on the roster who will absolutely be entering training camp with wind at their back and already in their sails.
These four Packers have a golden opportunity at training camp
1. Lukas Van Ness, Edge
With Micah Parsons still on the mend and Rashan Gary off to the Dallas Cowboys, the Packers are clearly expecting a big jump in year four from 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness. They proved they're committed to the process with Van Ness by somewhat shockingly picking up his fifth-year contract option.
And Van Ness responded with a strong offseason program.
In fact, Van Ness was called the Packers' offseason MVP by Bill Huber of Packers on SI, and perhaps the pressure on him entering 2026 is making a diamond.
Through his first three seasons, it's probably an understatement to say that Van Ness has been a disappointment. But this is the perfect time for him to play his best football, and the Packers will be expecting him to pick up right where he left off when training camp gets underway, especially when the pads come on.
2. MarShawn Lloyd, RB
The explosive potential of Marshawn Lloyd -- provided he can stay healthy -- could add an unexpected element to the Packers' offense in the 2026 season.
The Packers let backup running back Emanuel Wilson leave in free agency, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks, so they obviously have some significant belief that Lloyd is going to be available to them as well as an asset behind Josh Jacobs.
Through two NFL seasons, Lloyd had appeared in just one game for the Packers (back in 2024) due to injuries. He's only played 10 career snaps, but the former third-round pick out of USC looked good during the offseason program, by all accounts, and is going to be poised for a significant role in 2026.
Lloyd is very aware of the narratives out there about him, but he's taking it upon himself to change them rather than taking offense to them.
As we all know, the Packers typically take a rather patient approach with their draft picks, and Lloyd will be no exception. The opportunity is right there for him.
3. Jager Burton, OL
Typically, the most difficult positions to evaluate on the practice field before the pads come on are the positions closest to the football.
That means evaluating offensive linemen without pads is extremely difficult to do, so for rookie fifth-round pick Jager Burton to have made such a significant impression already this offseason says a lot about just how impressive he's been.
Burton was a Day 3 steal for the Packers out of Kentucky, and head coach Matt LaFleur has already stated that he's going to be in the mix for playing time as a rookie.
The starting jobs of both Sean Rhyan and Anthony Belton at center and right guard, respectively, could both be up for grabs this offseason. Even with Rhyan getting a contract extension, Burton had the best year of his collegiate career in 2025 at the center position and may have shortened the proverbial leash for Rhyan, who hasn't played overly well at center in his opportunities there.
Even if he's just outside of the top five offensive linemen for now, Burton is entering training camp with more hype than usual for a Day 3 rookie interior lineman.
4. Javon Bullard, DB
After the offseason program, there might not be a more anticipated player in Jonathan Gannon's secondary with the Packers than Javon Bullard.
Bullard has been a full-time player for the Packers over the past two seasons, but it doesn't feel like he's truly been unlocked and unleashed.
That has a chance to change in a big way during the 2026 season.
Bullard was reportedly making plays all over the field throughout OTAs, and that's what we're expecting more of throughout the course of training camp. The most interesting thing to monitor is going to be how Gannon deploys him, because he can play in the slot, he can play in the box, he can play deep, and he can blitz.
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