A Final Guess At Who Stays And Who Goes

QUARTERBACKS (2): Jordan Love, Tyrod Taylor.

Cut: Kyle McCord

Analysis

This is pretty cut and dry.

Love had a terrific summer and the Packers are hoping the 37-year old Taylor has something left if he’s asked to play.

McCord, a sixth round draft pick of Philadelphia in 2025, had a strong camp and the Packers are probably hoping they can get him through to the practice squad.

McCord finished the summer with a 102.4 passer rating after completing 46-of-70 passes for 446 yards with four TDs, and no interceptions. He went the distance in Green Bay’s 42-38 win over Arizona Friday and led the Packers to a pair of TDs in the final 3 ½ minutes.

“He did a heck of a job, man,” Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said of McCord. “He was so just poised in his ability to operate and function. I think he’s, he definitely has the demeanor, no doubt about it. He’s in total control out there, and he’s willing to stand in the pocket, deliver in the face of pressure. And yeah, I thought he did an outstanding job.”

RUNNING BACKS (3): Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks.

Cut: Pierre Strong, Jaden Nixon, Damien Martinez.

Analysis

This is a tricky position to project after Jacobs was charged with two misdemeanors on Thursday stemming from his arrest on May 26.

Jacobs will almost certainly face discipline under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. The only question is when — and the NFL has likely told the Packers’ brass what it’s thinking.

If Green Bay keeps four running backs, it’s probable Jacobs will be suspended for the start of the season. If they keep just three, it likely means any disciplinary action won’t come until after his initial court appearance on Nov. 17.

One of the highlights of summer for Green Bay was that the oft-injured Lloyd came through camp healthy. Lloyd didn’t have much room to run on many of his carries due to shaky line play, but he did show a special burst on his 11-yard touchdown reception in Denver.

“I feel great,” Lloyd said earlier this week. “I feel like myself. Really happy.”

Jacobs missed two weeks of camp with a groin injury, but if he’s not suspended, he should be ready to go in Week 1. Brooks excels as a third down pass protector, which should earn him a third season in Green Bay.

If the Packers keep a fourth back, it’s likely to be Strong, who’s averaging 5.0 yards per carry during his three NFL seasons and had a solid summer. A trade before cuts are due is also a possibility.

“You’re always usually going to keep three or four running backs, and I think we have enough to do that,” Gutekunst said. “But again it comes down to choices and trying to figure that out. The one thing, particularly at that position, is elevating a guy from the practice squad. I don’t want to say it’s easy to do but it’s something we’ve done in the past and not something we’d shy away from.”

RECEIVERS (6): Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, Bo Melton, Savion Williams, Skyy Moore.

Cut: Will Sheppard, J. Michael Sturdivant, Kisean Johnson, Isaiah Neyor, Kaden Prather, Chris Hilton.

Analysis

Much has been made of the late push Sheppard and Sturdivant made in the final preseason game. Green Bay should be able to get one, or both, to the practice squad, though.

The trio of Watson, Golden and Reed has the potential to be one of the league’s most explosive trios. The biggest question is can they stay healthy?

Golden played in 14 games during his 2025 rookie season, while Reed is averaging 13.3 games per season and Watson is at 12.0 during their careers.

Melton is a jack-of-all-trades who runs extremely well and is a key cog on most special teams units.

“I feel like this was my best summer yet,” Melton said. “It’s the fastest I’ve been. I’m doing special teams. I’ve been making play after play, so I’m excited.”

Moore, who played for San Francisco last season, ranked sixth in the NFL on kick returns in 2025 (27.5) and seventh on punt returns (11.6). Moore should be a major upgrade from Romeo Doubs on punt returns (6.3) and Savion Williams on kickoff returns (25.6).

Williams had a mediocre summer, then suffered an ankle injury against Denver in the second preseason game and hasn’t returned. Williams, a third round draft pick in 2025, is certainly safe. If he winds up on the PUP list, though, it will open the door for either Sturdivant or Sheppard.

“There’s a lot of factors that play into determining the final 53,” LaFleur said. “And I think … a lot of these guys made it very, very difficult onus.”

TIGHT ENDS (4): Tucker Kraft, Jonnu Smith, Josh Whyle, (TBA).

Cut: Drake Dabney, Messiah Swinson, McCallan Castles, Thomas Yassmin.

PUP: Luke Musgrave (neck).

Analysis

Kraft was in the middle of an All-Pro season in 2025 when he tore his right ACL against Carolina on Nov. 2.

Kraft started all eight of the games he played last season and posted 32 receptions, 489 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He was the only tight end in the league with 30-plus receptions, 475-plus receiving yards, six-plus receiving touchdowns and an average of 15-plus yards per catch through Week 9.

Kraft was activated from the PUP list on July 31, returned to 11-on-11 team drills in mid-August and will play Week 1 at Minnesota. Kraft’s reps will be limited early, though.

“They’re going to take into account my rep range probably until halfway through the season,” Kraft said on Aug. 16. “Then they’re just going to pat me on the (butt) and send me out there, send me to the wolves.”

The Packers typically keep four tight ends, and with Kraft on a pitch count early, there’s a greater need this season.

Smith, who caught 88 passes and had eight touchdown receptions in 2024, signed a one-year deal with Green Bay on Aug. 27. Whyle, who began last season on the practice squad, played eight games after Kraft was injured and enhanced his standing with the team thanks to a solid summer.

It’s unlikely the fourth tight end is currently on the roster. Look for Gutekunst to sign one that’s released on Sunday, or make a minor trade to add another.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Jordan Morgan, Aaron Banks, Sean Rhyan, Jacob Monk, Zach Bako-Bewele, Anthony Belton, Jager Burton, John Williams, Darian Kinnard.

Cut: Travis Glover, Donovan Jennings, Dillon Wade, Josh Gesky, Dylan Barrett, Brant Banks, Dalton Cooper.

Analysis

The top seven — Morgan, Banks, Rhyan, Monk, Bako-Bewele, Belton and Burton — seem set in stone. From there, it’s likely Williams, Kinnard, Jennings and Glover are battling for two spots.

Williams, a forgotten man in 2025 when he missed the entire season with a back injury, has been a surprise this camp and started at left tackle in the final preseason game.

“Last year, I don’t know if you guys even knew who John Wiliams was,” Green Bay offensive line coach Luke Butkus said of Williams on Aug. 22. “He was banged and that injury, to get him back this offseason and to see what he’s doing and his movement ability right now.”

Kinnard, who made four starts last season and received $1 million signing bonus this offseason, could be in some trouble. Green Bay rested its starters Friday — meaning it opened with its No. 2 offensive line — and Kinnard was a backup to that group.

Jennings has positional versatility, which the Packers love. Glover, a sixth round pick in 2024 who spent all of last season on the injured reserve list (torn lat), might be out of time.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES (7): Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave, Chris McClellan, Karl Brooks, Warren Brinson, Jonathan Ford, Anthony Campbell.

Cut: Nazir Stackhouse, Anthony Campbell, Jaden Crumedy.

PUP: Jordon Riley (Achilles).

Analysis

The depth of this group was one of the surprises of camp.

“It’s very talented,” veteran tackle Javon Hargrave said of the group. “Everybody can play ball here. I feel like some places you could tell certain people don’t belong, but here I honestly don’t know who – we’re pretty deep at this position.”

The Packers’ depth opens up the possibility that they could trade a player like Brooks, who’s entering the final year of his rookie deal and seems unlikely to get a second contract in Green Bay.

Another wildcard would be Brinson, a sixth round pick in 2025 who took a big jump this training camp. Brinson suffered a calf strain in warm-ups, though, before the Packers’ second preseason game and his status for the season opener is uncertain.

If Brinson is going to miss time, he could wind up on the PUP list and Green Bay might keep six tackles instead of seven.

Campbell (6-6, 307) made plays on a daily basis all summer, and has probably done enough to stick regardless of Brinson’s status. Ford, signed late in 2025 with the Packers desperate for defensive line help, had a productive summer and edges out Stackhouse in our projections.

EDGE (5): Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Collin Oliver.

Cut: Arron Mosby, Nyjalik Kelly, Arden Walker.

PUP: Micah Parsons (ACL/meniscus)

Analysis

The top four are locks, meaning the fifth spot comes down to Oliver, Kelly and Mosby.

Oliver was a fifth round draft pick in 2025 who missed his entire rookie season with a hamstring injury. Oliver is undersized (6-2, 240) and is out once again, this time with a calf injury.

Gutekunst loves his draft picks, though, and probably wants to give Oliver a chance to prove he was worth a fifth rounder.

“I feel like I did a great job this training camp,” Oliver said this week. “I feel like personally special teams has been good. I feel like I’m pass rushing, and I feel like I had some good plays in the run, as well.”
Kelly, an undrafted free agent, was given a $15,000 signing bonus after the 2026 draft and the Packers will certainly try getting him to the practice squad if he doesn’t stick.

Mosby is a key special teams player who’s played in 28 games the last two seasons.

The guess here is Green Bay goes with Oliver, whose greatest strength is rushing the passer. With Parsons out at least the first month of the season, Green Bay will need all the pass rushers it can find.

LINEBACKERS (5): Edgerrin Cooper, Zaire Franklin, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper, Nick Niemann.

Cut: Kristian Welch, TJ Quinn.

Analysis

There’s unlikely to be any drama with this positional group on Sunday.

Cooper had an impressive summer and could be poised for a breakout year. The 30-year-old Franklin, who came via trade with Indianapolis this offseason, appears to have plenty left in the tank.

Together, the duo could accomplish big things.

“I think they’re all learning how to play off of one another,” Green Bay linebackers coach Sam Siefkes said of Cooper and Franklin. “It’s the first year in a new system and obviously Z’s a new player for us as well. But I think they’re learning when you can quote-unquote take a shot and cover for a guy and when you can do different things. You start to understand the tendencies of the players that you’re playing with.”

McDuffie is one of the most reliable players on the roster and one of Green Bay’s best special teams players. Niemann is a core special teams player, as well, who edges Welch for the final linebacker spot.

Quinn, who forced a fumble Friday and had two tackles for loss, should have a home on the practice squad.

CORNERBACKS (5): Brandon Cisse, Keisean Nixon, Benjamin St-Juste, Carrington Valentine, Kamal Hadden.

Cut: Domani Jackson, Jaylin Simpson, Shemar Bartholomew, MJ Devonshire.

Analysis

This group could certainly use some help, but it’s unlikely Gutekunst will find any at this late date.

Cisse, the Packers’ second round pick in April, appears to be a virtual lock at one spot. Nixon, St-Juste and Valentine are battling for the other job, with Nixon the current frontrunner.

Is that group good enough to hold up against teams like Minnesota, Detroit and the Los Angeles Rams? Probably not, but at this juncture, it is what it is.

Cisse had a terrific summer, but he’s also a rookie.

“There’s a long way to go still with him,” said Bobby Babich, Green Bay’s secondary coach/pass game coordinator. “Certainly he’s setting himself up to have a chance to be pretty successful.”

Nixon, a 17-game starter in 2025, had an underwhelming summer. Valentine, who started opposite of Nixon last season, missed part of training camp with a hamstring injury and was passed by Cisse and St-Juste.

St-Juste, a third round draft pick in 2021, has tremendous size (6-3, 200), but hasn’t been able to either win, or keep a starting job in both Washington and with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Hadden, who broke his right tibia and fibula, and suffered severe ankle damage during a Week 17 game against Baltimore last season, has made an impressive return and seems well ahead of Jackson for the fifth cornerback spot.

“It’s been fun to watch his growth,” LaFleur said of Hadden. “How he prepares — he comes in with a great attitude, he’s extremely coachable.”

Jackson, a sixth round draft pick in April, gave up a 41-yard touchdown to Arizona’s Simi Fehoko during a rough outing on Friday. The best spot for him right now would be the practice squad.

SAFETIES (4): Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Kitan Oladapo.

Cut: Mark Perry, Murvin Kenion III, Trey Dean III, Tra Fluellen.

Analysis

There doesn’t appear to be much mystery here, either.

Green Bay’s top three of McKinney, Williams and Bullard rival the top trios in football and should be able to compensate for a shaky cornerback room.

Oladapo, a fifth round draft pick in 2024, had his best summer and saw extensive playing time as Bullard recovered from a foot injury. Oladapo seems likely to hold off Perry and Kenion III.

“A lot of growth,” Oladapo said of his training camp. “More snaps, but it’s more coaching point for myself and just more reps, getting your body used to being in certain positions where you don’t even need to think about it. You’re just reacting to the play, so it’s been very beneficial.”

SPECIALISTS (3): K Trey Smack, P Daniel Whelan, LS Matt Orzech.

Cut: LS Cal Adomitis.

Analysis

Smack, Green Bay’s sixth round draft pick in April, struggled on the practice field throughout the summer, but made all nine of his field goals in games — including three from beyond 50 yards.

“Some guys are great on gameday, some guys are great in practice,” Packers special teams coach Cam Achord said. “And it may not translate. I think it’s just being the same person every day, whether that’s a kicker or a core player or whatever it may be.”

Whelan set the single-season franchise record with a 51.7-yard gross average and a 43.9-yard net average last season. He’s one of the NFL’s elite punters.

Orzech is a steady veteran who’s missed all of camp with a calf injury, but said Wednesday he’ll be ready for Week 1. Adomitis has performed admirably, but it’s unlikely Orzech is going anywhere.

“Miserable, terrible,” Orzech said of his summer. “But right now they’re telling me to be patient. It’s like this goes against everything in my entire being is to fight through pain. But they’re trying to urge the other way, and it’s been hard to do.

“They just want to make sure that when I do come back, that I’m at 100 percent myself and not nursing it or fighting a regression for a whole season. It’s a long run as you well know.”