This seems like a sizzling hot take because the Green Bay Packers haven’t finished last in the NFC North since 2005. They’re usually in the playoff mix with a shot to make a Super Bowl run.
However, this year will be different in Green Bay. The Packers have major concerns on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, the Packers may be without running back Josh Jacobs for a period of time, depending on the outcome of an ongoing legal case and any potential discipline under the league’s personal conduct policy.
Jacobs, 28, was arrested in Brown County, Wisconsin, in May and booked into jail on five potential charges listed in online records, including felony strangulation and suffocation and four related misdemeanors. He was later released from custody after the Brown County District Attorney’s Office said it was not yet prepared to make a formal charging decision, requested additional investigation and noted that the investigation remains open and ongoing.
MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks are the primary backup running backs on the roster. They have 88 career carries combined.
Depending on Jacobs’ status, the Packers may have to rely heavily on their passing attack, a departure from head coach Matt LaFleur’s past offenses. Green Bay ranked in the bottom six in passing attempts for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Furthermore, Green Bay’s defense could struggle to give the offense more possessions without star edge-rusher Micah Parsons, who’s recovering from a torn ACL with meniscus damage.
The Packers have a nine-month recovery policy for players returning from that type of injury. Parsons revealed he’ll start the 2026 season on the physically unable to perform list with a possible return date in October.
Without Parsons to mask coverage issues in the secondary, the Packers could be off to a slow start this year. If the Minnesota Vikings offense looks sharp with quarterback Kyler Murray, Green Bay could be in an uphill climb to stay out of the NFC North basement.