Day 1 of Green Bay Packers training camp is in the books.
It's always one of the biggest days of overreactions on the NFL calendar. No pads yet, and still just the first of many practices to come. That said, there were some notable takeaways for the Green Bay Packers. Some positives to hopefully build on, and, well, some not-so-promising updates.
Who were the biggest winners and losers from the Packers' curtain-raising practice at training camp?
Biggest winners and losers after the Packers' first practice at training camp
Winner: Zaire Franklin
The Packers hope Zaire Franklin will inject leadership and experience into the middle of the defense this season. They pulled off a rare player-for-player trade to bring Franklin to Green Bay, with defensive lineman Colby Wooden heading to Indianapolis.
It was Franklin's playmaking ability that stood out on Day 1. According to Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Franklin forced a fumble on running back MarShawn Lloyd. The only question is whether it would've stood in a real game.
MarShawn Lloyd catches a dump off from Jordan Love, but Zaire Franklin strips the football. Would’ve been bang-bang on whether it was an incompletion or fumble, but defense scoops it and goes other way.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) July 29, 2026
"This team has grown. They're not the young team that they were a year, two years ago and the Green Bay Packers is ready to take that next step. We ready to be that dominant team to take over the league," Franklin said after practice, via The Athletic's Matt Schneidman.
That's how you make a first impression.
Winner: MarShawn Lloyd
Despite losing the ball on the fumble (or incompletion, depending on your opinion), Day 1 can be viewed as a success for Lloyd.
The third-year running back is hoping to finally stay healthy after missing all but one game over the past two seasons. He made it through the first practice and once again reminded Packers fans of his potential.
"On one play Wednesday, he bounced a middle run outside like he was shot out of a cannon and darted around St-Juste to the edge for a touchdown," Matt Schneidman writes for The Athletic. "His unique speed and explosiveness were evident once again. There's nothing like it in the Packers' running back room."
Schneidman ain't lying. There aren't any running backs on the roster who can do what Lloyd can. There might not be many backs in the league who offer his explosiveness.
Winner: Isaiah Neyor
Isaiah Neyor was one of the biggest stories to come out of the offseason workout program, and he has his sights firmly set on making the 53-man roster.
According to Bill Huber of Packers On SI, Neyor made a "superb all-hands catch" for a touchdown from rookie quarterback Kyron Drones.
It's exactly what we saw throughout the spring. Neyor couldn't stop making plays during OTAs and minicamp, and he received glowing praise from head coach Matt LaFleur. There's still a long way to go, and Neyor has a mountain to climb to make the 53-man roster. But the Packers may have no choice if he continues to make plays like this each day.
Winner: Johnathan Baldwin
Johnathan Baldwin is a name to remember.
The Packers prioritized adding boundary cornerbacks this offseason, but it left questions about depth in the slot behind Javon Bullard. They may have already had the solution.
Jonathan Baldwin has been the number two slot corner so far behind Bullard. Baldwin has a legit chance to make the team.
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) July 29, 2026
Nate Hobbs spent some time in the slot last season, but he's no longer in Green Bay. Keisean Nixon has experience there, but the Packers view him as an outside corner. The backup spot to Bullard is wide open, and Baldwin has a huge opportunity ahead of him.
Winner: Marlon Jones
Marlon Jones stole the show with the biggest play of the day, intercepting Kyle McCord for what would've been a 99-yard pick-six.
Great break on the ball by Marlon Jones to step in front of a throw into the flat by McCord. House call.
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) July 29, 2026
You won't find a player easier to root for than Jones. Bill Huber wrote an incredible story for Packers On SI about Jones' emotional journey to the NFL. In 2024, he was diagnosed with cancer and told he'd never play football again. Fast forward to May 2026, and he signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent. Huber's story is well worth your time.
What a special moment on Day 1 of camp. Hopefully, it's the first big play of many for Jones.
Loser: Benjamin St-Juste
Free-agent addition Benjamin St-Juste is in contention for a starting job, but he worked mostly with the second-team defense on Wednesday. It could be the Packers simply easing him back into action after an injury cost him time in the spring workouts, but it's a possible sign that he's fallen behind on the depth chart.
It's even more notable because Keisean Nixon didn't practice. Nixon is likely a guaranteed starter on one side, leaving one starting spot for St-Juste, Carrington Valentine, and Brandon Cisse to compete for. Valentine and Cisse took the starting reps on Day 1, a sign that they are both currently ahead of St-Juste on the depth chart.
Loser: Jager Burton
It was a tough day for fifth-round rookie Jager Burton, who was one of the stars of the offseason program. He left practice early with a hamstring issue and couldn't return. Fortunately, according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman, Burton believes the decision to hold him out of practice was "precautionary."
Burton told me he felt something in his hamstring, but said sitting out the rest of practice was precautionary. https://t.co/VGI9eJVtlk
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) July 29, 2026
It's still a disappointing moment for the rookie, who missed out on the opportunity to gain some valuable first-team reps. Thankfully, it doesn't sound serious, but hamstring injuries can be frustrating, so the Packers may need to take a cautious approach.
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