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Packers Week in Review: OTAs Begin, the 2026 Schedule Drops, and a Love Family Milestone

Cory Trimm • • News

It’s been a busy seven days in Green Bay. Pads aren’t on yet, but the 2026 season is starting to feel very real — the schedule is out, the new faces are on the practice field, and a couple of roster battles are already heating up. Let’s get into it.

OTAs Are Here — Five Things to Watch

Organized team activities officially kicked off this week, with the Packers opening the fields at Lambeau to media for the first time since minicamp. Per Packers.com’s OTA preview, there are five storylines worth tracking as the team builds toward training camp:

Jordan Morgan at left tackle. With Rasheed Walker gone to Carolina, Morgan is the man protecting Jordan Love’s blindside. How quickly he settles into the role will tell us a lot about the offensive line’s ceiling in 2026.

The receiver room in Year 2. Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks are both gone. Per Bleacher Report, the Packers are counting heavily on Matthew Golden and Savion Williams to step up in their second NFL seasons. Young receivers taking a leap is one of the more exciting storylines of any offseason — this one is no exception.

MarShawn Lloyd as RB2. Per Bleacher Report, with Emanuel Wilson departing, Lloyd is expected to back up Josh Jacobs. He flashed enough last season to earn this opportunity, and these OTAs are his audition.

Two starting jobs still wide open. Per ClutchPoints, the cornerback and edge-rusher spots opposite the starters remain genuine open competitions as OTAs begin. Expect those battles to run deep into training camp.

The new pieces meshing. First-time Packers Zaire Franklin (linebacker), Javon Hargrave (defensive tackle), Tyrod Taylor (backup QB), and return specialist Skyy Moore are all on the field for the first time in green and gold. Hargrave’s reunion with defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon is particularly interesting — they worked together previously and the familiarity should help him get up to speed quickly.

The mandatory minicamp follows on June 9–11 to close out the offseason program before everyone reconvenes for training camp.

Kicker Competition Takes a Turn

Per Packers.com, the Packers released veteran kicker Brandon McManus this week, making 2026 draft pick Trey Smack the clear frontrunner for the starting kicking job. Smack goes from “this will be a competition” to “prove it’s yours to lose” in a single roster move. Kicker is one of those positions nobody thinks about until it matters — and given how many close games this team plays, it matters a lot.

The 2026 Schedule Is Out — Circle These Dates

The NFL released the full 2026 schedule on May 14, and per Packers.com’s “10 things to know” breakdown and Yahoo Sports, here are the matchups worth putting on your calendar:

Week 1 — at Minnesota Vikings (Sept. 13, CBS, 4:25 p.m.): A road opener against the division rival to start the year. Green Bay needs to establish itself early in the NFC North.

Week 3 — vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sept. 24, Amazon Prime, 8:15 p.m.): First home Thursday night game of the season.

Week 5 — vs. Chicago Bears (Oct. 11, Fox, 4:25 p.m.): The rematch. After blowing a 21-3 Wild Card lead against the Bears in January, Lambeau Field will be loud for this one.

Week 6 — vs. Dallas Cowboys (Oct. 18, NBC, 8:20 p.m.): Sunday Night Football at home against Dallas. Big-stage game.

Week 7 — vs. Detroit Lions (Oct. 25, Fox): The Lions have been Green Bay’s biggest obstacle in the NFC North. Home-field advantage matters here.

Week 12 — vs. Los Angeles Rams (Thanksgiving Eve, Netflix): A national spotlight game on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, streaming on Netflix.

Week 14 — vs. Buffalo Bills at Lambeau: Josh Allen at Lambeau Field in the heart of winter? Buy your tickets now.

Christmas Day — at Chicago Bears (Netflix, noon): The second Bears game of the season, this time at Soldier Field on Christmas. Netflix again.

Week 18 — vs. Detroit Lions (home): The season finale could have massive playoff implications in a tight NFC North.

That’s a schedule with some real marquee moments — and a brutal division slate. No easy weeks.

Jordan Love Becomes a Dad 🎉

The biggest news this week had nothing to do with football. Jordan Love and his family welcomed a baby daughter this week. Congratulations to the Love family — here’s hoping the newest Packer fan brings good luck to the 2026 season.

Go Pack Go. 💛💚

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