The Green Bay Packers' preseason officially got underway last night with a rather uninspiring 28-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In what was meant to be the first time fans got a chance to see some of the depth on the team, instead, everyone was treated to a mostly listless game, at least from the Packers' perspective.
The starters on both offense and defense didn't play too much, so there's not a ton to take away from on that. However, the second- and third-string players on the team did get some chance to showcase themselves. Unfortunately, it wasn't exactly the great game Matt LaFleur and others likely had in mind when heading over to Pittsburgh to play.
Thankfully, it's only preseason. The team will have two more games to play in the coming weeks, and players will have another chance to show off whether or not they have what it takes to make the team. In the meantime, some players did stand out more so than others on Thursday, so let's take a look at a few.
Five players who stood out in Packers' preseason loss
1. Trey Smack
Smack was responsible for 100 percent of the Packers' offense in its first preseason game. The rookie kicker, who the Packers traded up to get in the 2026 NFL Draft, has had a rather up-and-down start to training camp. Smack was shaky in his first few practices and admitted several times he was still figuring out how to kick in more complicated weather, like Green Bay is well known for.
That made Thursday night's performance even more impressive, as Smack had zero issues in a Pittsburgh stadium notorious for its tough kicking conditions.
While his stat sheet only says he went 3-for-3 on the night, he actually hit all four of the kicks he attempted (one was called back thanks to a roughing-the-snapper penalty by Pittsburgh). His highlight, which is also the team's highlight, of the night was undoubtedly an absolute monster of a 58-yard field goal that he hit right before halftime. Smack also successfully made a 37- and 38-yard field goal, and none of his four attempted kicks ever really looked all that shaky.
For a kicker who is converting at roughly 70 percent in training camp currently, it was exactly the kind of night you'd hope for as a fan and for Smack himself. His next step is turning this into a consistent thing and becoming the reliable kicker the team thought he could be when they traded up for him.
2. Murvin Kenion III
The Packers' safety room is secure at the top with star Xavier McKinney and rising star Evan Williams in the secondary. However, depth is never a bad thing, and Kenion could be exactly that for the team. He led the Packers' defense alongside Mark Perry (more on him in just a minute) with six total tackles, and also had an excellent pass breakup in the end zone that saved a touchdown.
READ MORE: Winners and losers for Packers in their preseason opener vs. Steelers
Due to the aforementioned depth of the Packers' safety room, Kenion is by no means a lock to make the team. However, he's doing exactly what you want to see from a young player and making a name for himself when it matters in games.
Kenion putting together successful tape like this, and also working hard on special teams, is the difference between being on the bubble of the roster and securing yourself a spot on it.
3. Mark Perry
Another safety who could be playing for a spot in what looks to be a crowded competition, Perry was tied for the lead in tackles on the team. Like Kenion, he also made a couple of great plays, including a stellar tackle right by the goal line on an early fourth-and-goal attempt by Pittsburgh. Unfortunately for Perry, he seemed to get banged up a bit during the game, but he was able to come back in and finish it out.
As mentioned above, the Packers' safety depth is one that's already really strong. Between McKinney and Williams, the team also has reliable players like Javon Bullard, who is still nursing an injury.
Perry, like Kenion, will have to keep making a name for himself on the field in order to get a shot at making the roster. According to ESPN's Rob Demovsky, he has been with the No. 1 special teams unit during practices, so he might have the inside track on locking down a spot on the team.
4. Lukas Van Ness
The Packers' starting group didn't play a whole lot in this one, and as a result didn't have much to show for it. However, Van Ness did. The edge rusher who has been impressing folks at training camp continued a strong summer by tallying a sack during one of his few reps on the field. He wasn't credited with the sack, as that went to Zaire Franklin, but Van Ness' chase down of Mason Rudolph was the thing that finished off the play.
While a single sack in a preseason game isn't really anything to write home about, it's a huge thing for Van Ness. With Micah Parsons likely sidelined until sometime in October, the Packers' edge-rushing room is going to lean hard on Van Ness to perform, and rightfully so.
Drafted 13th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Van Ness has a lot of expectations on him to play well, especially with Green Bay exercising his fifth-year option earlier this offseason.
For Van Ness, Thursday night and the previous few weeks have been a welcome sight. The de facto lead edge rusher for the team is going to have some big shoes to fill while Parsons is away, and the team will need him to finally put it together if they have any aspirations of being the contenders they want to be.
5. MarShawn Lloyd
Admittedly, Lloyd didn't do a whole lot in this game. But it's what he didn't do that is worth noting, and that's leaving the game with any issues. Originally drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Packers had high hopes for Lloyd.
He's a shifty, speedy back with very explosive moves and would be an incredible second running back behind star Josh Jacobs. Unfortunately, he's been anything but healthy during his two-year career, having played in literally one game for the team so far.
With all that said, that's what makes the preseason opener a standout moment for the young back. Lloyd got the start with Jacobs still nursing a groin injury, and made the most of it. While he only got four rushing attempts, Lloyd flashed some of the explosiveness and quick feet he was drafted for.
The Packers' offensive line didn't exactly do him any favors, but Lloyd not only got out there, but took some hits and got back up, which is exactly what the team is going to need him to do going forward.
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