The Green Bay Packers may have lost some of their best players from past seasons, but that won't stop fans from expecting this team to continue their winning ways in 2026. The infrastructure is still in place for a deep playoff run.
That run will only come, however, if many of the players on a young roster who expect to take a step forward actually end up making good on their potential and keep developing.
Every player in this quintet of Packers faces some questions about their overall ceiling as a player, though they could render those concerns null and void by roaring out of the gate in 2026.
The Packers need these players to step up this season
5. IOL Anthony Belton
Belton showed some flashes during his rookie season, but if he is going to be the team's right guard of the future and a solidifying force on what projects to be a fairly lackluster offensive line, he will need to show some big improvements in pass protection. He has the talent to do this, however.
4. CB Carrington Valentine
The Packers would love nothing more than for top NFL Draft pick Brandon Cisse to force his way into the starting lineup. Both Valentine and Keisean Nixon are on some shaky ground, but with Valentine's up-and-down play in big games over the last few years, he may be more at risk of being demoted if he doesn't pick it up.
3. WR Christian Watson
Even though Watson's extension was not as expensive as it was made out to be, getting that contract brings with it expectations of him becoming one of the best vertical deep threats in the NFC. Watson has never hit 700 yards in any given season. Is it fair to ask him to hit that mark after getting that big chunk of change?
2. Edge Lukas Van Ness
The Packers knew Van Ness was a bit of a project when they drafted him, but he really needs to start putting some rubber to the road if he is going to help this team stay alive without Micah Parsons. Failure to do so could make the Packers regret picking up his fifth-year option, which keeps him under contract through 2027.
1. WR Matthew Golden
Golden was a flop during his rookie season. While that doesn't mean that his career is over by any stretch of the imagination, Matt LaFleur needs to see a sign that he can eventually be the No. 1 receiver he was drafted to be. Green Bay has the receiving depth needed to bury Golden if he stumbles.
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