The Green Bay Packers have seen some big subtractions impact the calculus heading into the more intense stages of the 2026 NFL offseason. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and many top assistants are out, and Jonathan Gannon is in. The offense will try to remain as stable as possible.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst is looking at a roster that has some serious holes both on the defensive line and in the secondary, and failing to give the new additions on the coaching staff they need could lead to them missing the postseason.
By the time Gutekunst makes his appearance at the Combine, the Packers need to at least start ironing out some concrete answers for these five questions that will define how successful this franchise can be in the next few months.
5 burning questions Packers must answer before NFL Combine
1. Who will back up Jordan Love?
The franchise seems resigned to losing Malik Willis in free agency, which could prompt a mad dash to find Love's newest deputy. Will they draft one or sign another Willis type who needs to benefit from the LaFleur bounce?
2. Edge Rusher or Cornerback in the second round?
These are the two biggest areas of need with this roster, and it may be harder for Gutekunst to get some quality talent in the building after surrendering the No. 20 overall pick to the Dallas Cowboys as a result of the Micah Parsons trade.
3. Are Romeo Doubs and Rasheed Walker gone?
These two free agents are likely to earn huge multi-year contracts in the offseason, and a Packers team that may need to start pinching pennies as the combined might of the Love and Parsons contracts starts to take hold. These two may have played their last Packers down.
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4. What will they do with Lukas Van Ness?
Van Ness has been one of the most disappointing Packers first-round picks in recent memory, and he may be running out of road as far his development is concerned. Van Ness may find it hard to convince the Packers he is worth bringing back beyond the 2026 season.
5. How far along is Micah Parsons?
If Parsons is ahead of schedule, the Packers may not need to invest as much into the defensive line as they planned. If the All-Pro dynamo on the outside is still slated to miss most of the season, then the Packers need to make sure they have some high-end talent on hand to absorb the loss.