NFL
Season Outlook:
When Green Bay traded for Micah Parsons before the 2025 season, it looked like a Super Bowl roster. Injuries and a resurgent Chicago Bears team doomed that outlook. Neither Jordan Love nor Parsons stayed healthy, and their star edge rusher tore his ACL in December. The Packers were bounced from the playoffs by their division rival in heartbreaking fashion.It’ll take more than Parsons, who won’t be available for at least four games, for Matt LaFleur’s team to fulfill its potential.
What's Changed:
The most impactful moves came in the draft. Green Bay landed high-upside prospects like cornerback Brandon Cisse in round two and edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton in round four. Avoiding pricey free agents, the Packers added cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, linebacker Zaire Franklin and tackle Javon Hargrave for depth. They lost wideout Romeo Doubs, linebacker Quay Walker, edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare, and left tackle Rasheed Walker.
Bigger Role & Sophomore Breakout:
Two of Love's favorite options come into sharper focus with Doubs gone. Tight end Tucker Kraft steps into a bigger role, especially as a red-zone weapon. Before suffering a season-ending injury that had a direct effect on the performance of the offense, he averaged 15.3 yards per catch with six touchdowns over eight games. Matthew Golden's target share should jump in year two; the 2025 first-round pick from Texas posted 361 yards on 29 catches as a rookie.
Key Question:
Can Jordan Love stay healthy? He completed more than 66 percent of his passes for nearly 3,400 yards and 23 touchdowns against just six interceptions. But the questions surrounding Love are more about his durability than his ability. A shoulder injury and a concussion cost him time down the stretch. If he’s at or close to full strength when the Packers need him most, Green Bay is a threat for the NFC title. It’s hard to say that with any certainty.
Prediction:
The Packers go 10-7, finishing a game behind Detroit in the NFC North and just outside the playoff picture. Love and other key players struggle to stay on the field, and it costs them — the offense never fully syncs, while the defense, anchored by Parsons, carries the team. Parsons returns by Week 6 and is immediately effective, keeping Green Bay in the postseason hunt all season.
X-Factor:
Micah Parsons — and everything the trade signals about the Packers' win-now approach. Green Bay must cash in. Parsons gets a full offseason and training camp to acclimate to the defense, but last December's injury means he won't be fully healthy by Week 1. The hope is that the three-time All-Pro can give them at least half a season.
Final Scorecard
- Offense: 8
- Defense: 8
- Coaching: 7
- X-Factor Upside: 9
- Schedule Strength: 6