The Green Bay Packers have plenty to address if they want to steer the ship in the right direction, and they get a prime opportunity when they face the New York Jets in Week 2.
The Jets took care of business in the opener, easily putting away an overmatched Tennessee Titans team. Heck, quarterback Geno Smith looked like his old self, while the defense managed to contain Cam Ward. However, the Jets will be without star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Fitzpatrick suffered a groin injury in the win over Tennessee and will miss two to three weeks.
What Minkah Fitzpatrick's injury means for Jets' secondary vs. Packers
New York acquired Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins early in 2026 with the expectation that he would give the secondary a massive boost.
A first-round pick in 2018, Fitzpatrick has had two separate stints with the Miami Dolphins and has also suited up for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not having him in Week 2 will certainly sting, but the Jets have a group of safeties who are ready to step up.
Dane Belton stepped up once Fitzpatrick left the Titans game and will take on Fitzpatrick's role during his absence. Sophomore Malachi Moore has flashed, but Andre Cisco will probably start next to Belton and is ready to show out after failing to earn a starting job in the offseason.
Cisco was a third-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021. He had a breakout in 2022 but regressed the next two seasons. He joined the Jets last year but missed a good chunk of the 2025 season after suffering a pectoral tear. While he's shown ballhawk skills in the past, there will certainly be a drop-off during Fitzpatrick's absence, one the Packers must exploit.
The Packers need to attack the NY Jets' Minkah Fitzpatrick-less secondary
There are many reasons the Packers lost to Minnesota in the opener, but their wide receiver corps was most definitely not one of them.
Matthew Golden validated the offseason hype, while Christian Watson demonstrated that he's the playmaker Green Bay envisioned. If that wasn't enough, Tucker Kraft appears to be 100 percent back from the ACL tear he suffered in 2025. This trio caught 15 of Jordan Love's passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns in the opener.
Sure, the offensive line remains a reason for concern, and if the Packers can't protect Love, they'll have trouble beating New York or any other team. That said, the coaching staff hinted at making some changes up front to ensure their franchise quarterback has enough time to throw.
Simply put, this is a winnable game, one the Packers cannot afford to lose if they don't want to fall behind in the NFC North race. Not having to face Fitzpatrick most definitely increases their odds of getting their first win of the season.
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