The Green Bay Packers have plenty of question marks coming into the 2026 season.
From position battles to growing roles, there is a lot for any Packers fan to keep their eyes on as training camp approaches.
With another crucial season on the horizon, here are five Packers that everyone should be monitoring ahead of the 2026 season.
The Packers need these players to step up at minicamp and beyond
T Jordan Morgan
In limited action, offensive lineman Jordan Morgan has looked like a potential upgrade at left tackle over former Packer Rasheed Walker. With Morgan's high draft selection comes high expectations, which have not necessarily been met early in his career.
From injuries to inconsistent play, there are certainly still question marks surrounding his potential. However, Morgan has shown flashes of quality in short stints over his career. Despite the Packers trying Morgan out at guard early in his career, the Arizona product looks to have the inside track to win the left tackle job for 2026. He continues to receive praise from head coach Matt LaFleur.
With that being said, nothing is set in stone, and Morgan will have to earn that job in every rep.
LB Zaire Franklin
For Packer fans to be satisfied, linebacker Zaire Franklin will have to do more than just fill the shoes of Quay Walker. The Packers traded for Franklin from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for defensive lineman Colby Wooden before the start of free agency.
Franklin likely slides right into the lineup next to fellow linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and will immediately be playing a big role in a defense with high expectations. After talking a big game in his early interviews, Franklin will need to bounce back into form after a down year in Indianapolis in 2025.
RB MarShawn Lloyd
Regardless of whether MarShawn Lloyd is working as a starter or a backup running back, he is looking to make a true impact for the first time in his career. With just six career carries in his first two seasons, the Packers showed confidence in Lloyd after letting former backup running back Emanuel Wilson walk in free agency.
Lloyd has shown flashes of breakaway speed and elusiveness but has not been able to showcase it in a major way at the NFL level. It cannot be forgotten that the Packers spent a third-round pick on Lloyd, and he can certainly not be counted out as a major contributor in 2026. The key is staying healthy.
WR Matthew Golden
In what is probably the most obvious selection on this list, receiver Matthew Golden is in line for an increased workload in 2026. The Packers let Romeo Doubs walk away in free agency and traded Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles, while choosing not to select a single pass-catcher in this year's NFL draft.
The Packers are indirectly expressing their confidence in Golden through their personnel decisions, while also publicly expressing confidence via press conferences. The last time we saw Golden in action was against the Chicago Bears in the playoffs, when he rose to the occasion and delivered in big moments. That four-catch, 84-yard, one-touchdown performance is hopefully the springboard for a breakout second season.
K Trey Smack
Trey Smack is in line to play a major role for the Packers immediately. After Green Bay released kicker Brandon McManus, the Packers' draft pick is slated to be the starting kicker for Week 1. Following a shambolic kicking game in 2025, even average kicker play in 2026 would make a big difference and could be a game-deciding factor on multiple occasions.
While the Packers do not typically take kickers with a draft pick, Smack is an exception who will have high expectations from Day 1, in a very unforgiving position. But the Packers need Smack to make a fast start after going all-in with him this offseason.
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