2026 Green Bay Packers Season Outlook

The Green Bay Packers enter the 2026 season as a legitimate NFC contender whose final 2025 record did not fully reflect the quality of its best football.

Green Bay finished 9-7-1, placed second in the NFC North and secured the conference’s seventh playoff seed. The Packers then led Chicago 21-3 at halftime in the wild-card round before surrendering an 18-point advantage and losing 31-27. It was Green Bay’s fifth consecutive loss to end the season and its second straight one-and-done postseason appearance.

The collapse was heavily influenced by injuries. Tucker Kraft tore his ACL during the first half of the season, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt suffered a significant ankle injury and Micah Parsons tore his ACL late in the year. Quarterback Jordan Love, running back Josh Jacobs, right tackle Zach Tom and several receivers also dealt with late-season health problems.

Green Bay has responded by reshaping the defensive front, narrowing the receiving rotation and moving former first-round selection Jordan Morgan to left tackle. The Packers traded for linebacker Zaire Franklin, signed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and added veteran cornerbacks Benjamin St-Juste and Kamal Hadden. They also extended Christian Watson and Jayden Reed while allowing Romeo Doubs to leave and trading Dontayvion Wicks.

The Packers have the quarterback, skill-position talent and defensive stars necessary to reach the Super Bowl. Their primary concerns are injury recovery, offensive-line development and a defense that may begin the regular season without its best player.

Offense

Quarterback

Jordan Love enters his fourth season as Green Bay’s starter after producing the most efficient statistical campaign of his career.

Love completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 15 regular-season appearances. His 101.2 passer rating was a career high, and he averaged 7.7 yards per attempt while taking only 21 sacks.

His improvement was most evident in decision-making.

Love was more willing to:

• Take an available underneath completion.
• Throw the ball away when protection failed.
• Move defenders with his eyes.
• Attack favorable leverage rather than forcing predetermined throws.
• Use his mobility selectively rather than abandoning the pocket too early.

He also demonstrated his postseason ceiling against Chicago, throwing for 323 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Green Bay’s season ended because the offense and defense failed to close the game, not because Love was overwhelmed by the playoff stage.

The next step is becoming more consistent late in games.

Green Bay too frequently followed productive early drives with extended periods of conservative or inefficient offense. Matt LaFleur must give Love enough control to remain aggressive when the Packers establish a lead rather than asking the running game and defense to protect it.

Love’s supporting cast is capable of producing one of the NFC’s most balanced offenses. He has vertical speed through Watson and Matthew Golden, a versatile slot target in Reed, an explosive tight end in Kraft and a physical running game led by Jacobs.

Tyrod Taylor replaces Malik Willis as the primary backup. Taylor gives Green Bay a veteran with substantial starting experience, mobility and a history of protecting the football. Willis left for Miami after two productive years as Love’s backup.

Taylor is unlikely to reproduce all of Love’s downfield production, but Green Bay should be able to preserve its running game, movement passing and play-action structure during a brief absence.

Quarterback is a clear team strength.

Running back

Josh Jacobs remains the foundation of Green Bay’s rushing attack.

Jacobs rushed 234 times for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025 despite missing two games and playing through several injuries. His physicality, vision and ability to finish runs remained essential to the Packers’ offensive identity.

Jacobs is particularly effective because he can generate productive gains when the blocking is imperfect. He consistently:

• Runs through first contact.
• Converts short-yardage opportunities.
• Presses the line before selecting a cutback.
• Protects the quarterback.
• Provides receiving value.
• Allows Green Bay to control games in cold weather.

The concern is workload and durability.

Jacobs carried a heavy offensive burden throughout 2025 and was visibly limited at points late in the season. The Packers need a dependable second back who can reduce routine carries without dramatically changing the offense.

MarShawn Lloyd is the leading candidate.

Lloyd has spent most of his first two professional seasons dealing with hamstring, ankle and other injury problems. When available, he has displayed exceptional burst, lateral movement and one-cut acceleration. His return adds a more explosive profile than Green Bay has had behind Jacobs.

The supporting competition includes Pierre Strong Jr., Damien Martinez and several younger backs. Emanuel Wilson signed with Seattle after rushing for 1,083 yards over three seasons with Green Bay.

The preferred structure should be:

• Jacobs as the lead runner and short-yardage option.
• Lloyd receiving meaningful change-of-pace work.
• Strong or Martinez competing for the third role.
• Jacobs remaining involved as a receiver and pass protector.

Green Bay does not need to reduce Jacobs to a committee player. It needs to keep him fresh enough to remain effective in December and January.

Wide receiver

The Packers have clarified a receiving corps that previously contained too many similarly valued options.

Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden are now the clear leaders. Green Bay extended Watson and Reed, allowed Doubs to leave for New England and traded Wicks to Philadelphia. Those moves also create a larger role for second-year receiver Savion Williams.

Watson remains the player who changes the geometry of the defense.

After returning from ACL surgery in late October 2025, he caught 35 passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games. His speed forces safeties to remain deep and creates intermediate space for Reed, Kraft and the running backs.

Watson’s availability has always been the concern. When healthy, he gives Green Bay:

• A premier vertical target.
• Size against press coverage.
• Red-zone production.
• Effective blocking.
• The ability to score without requiring a high target volume.

Reed is the offense’s most versatile receiver. He can align in the slot, move outside, take handoffs and create yards after the catch. His extension confirms that Green Bay views him as one of the central pieces of Love’s long-term supporting cast.

Golden enters his second season after showing immediate explosive-play potential as a rookie. He has the speed and route-running ability to become a high-volume outside receiver rather than merely a complementary deep threat.

Savion Williams offers a different profile. His size and open-field running ability allow Green Bay to use him as a receiver, motion player and occasional backfield weapon.

The remaining competition includes:

• Bo Melton.
• Skyy Moore.
• Michael Sturdivant.
• Several developmental receivers.

Moore was added primarily to improve the return game but has enough experience to compete for offensive snaps. Melton was re-signed after contributing at receiver, special teams and occasionally in the secondary.

The projected hierarchy is:

1. Christian Watson
2. Jayden Reed
3. Matthew Golden
4. Savion Williams
5. Bo Melton or Skyy Moore

Green Bay lacks a conventional possession receiver after losing Doubs, but it has more speed and versatility than most teams. The offense should be capable of creating favorable matchups by moving Reed, Golden and Williams throughout the formation.

Tight end

Tucker Kraft’s recovery is one of the most important variables on the roster.

Kraft was emerging as one of the NFL’s most dangerous young tight ends before tearing his ACL. His best performance came against Pittsburgh, when he caught seven passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns. He had become a central part of Green Bay’s passing and yards-after-catch offense.

Kraft has stated that his goal is to start Week 1 without a snap restriction. That is an ambitious target following ACL surgery, but his rehabilitation was progressing during the offseason.

When healthy, Kraft provides:

• Outstanding yards after the catch.
• Physical in-line blocking.
• Seam-stretching ability.
• Screen-game value.
• Motion and alignment flexibility.
• A dependable middle-field target for Love.

Luke Musgrave is the primary alternative and complementary receiving tight end. Musgrave has greater straight-line speed and can threaten the seam, although injuries have also interrupted his development.

Josh Whyle was added to the competition, while Drake Dabney and several younger tight ends provide depth. During spring practices, Musgrave and Whyle handled the leading tight-end work while Kraft rehabilitated.

Green Bay can use Kraft and Musgrave together without surrendering passing-game explosiveness. That combination is especially valuable against defenses that use smaller personnel to defend the Packers’ receivers.

Tight end becomes a major strength if Kraft returns close to full speed. It becomes much less certain if his recovery extends into the season.

Offensive line

Green Bay’s offensive line is talented but undergoing meaningful change.

The projected lineup is:

• Left tackle: Jordan Morgan
• Left guard: Aaron Banks
• Center: Sean Rhyan
• Right guard: Anthony Belton
• Right tackle: Zach Tom

This was the alignment Green Bay identified during the offseason after Rasheed Walker left for Carolina.

Morgan is the central figure.

The 2024 first-round pick has played guard and tackle during his first two seasons, but Green Bay has now returned him to his college position. He started 37 games at left tackle for Arizona and handled that role throughout organized team activities and minicamp.

Morgan has the athleticism to thrive in Green Bay’s zone-blocking system. His challenge will be handling the league’s premier speed rushers without consistent help.

Banks gives the Packers a powerful veteran left guard. His presence should help Morgan and strengthen the interior running game.

Rhyan is moving from guard to center after Green Bay chose not to retain its previous center. He has starting experience and adequate strength, but protection calls and shotgun consistency will be closely monitored.

Belton, a 2025 second-round selection, is expected to receive the first opportunity at right guard. His size and power could make him an effective downhill blocker, though his pass-protection technique remains developmental.

Tom is the unit’s best player and one of the NFL’s more versatile offensive linemen. Keeping him at right tackle gives Green Bay stability while the other four positions adjust.

The depth includes:

• Donovan Jennings.
• Jager Burton.
• Jacob Monk.
• Darian Kinnard.
• John Williams.
• Several young tackles and guards.

Fifth-round rookie Burton can play center or guard and may compete for an interior reserve position immediately.

The line has considerable upside, but it also carries risk. Green Bay is replacing its starting left tackle, changing centers and potentially starting a second-year player at right guard.

If Morgan succeeds and Rhyan handles center, the line can remain above average. If either transition fails, Love could face considerably more pressure than he did in 2025.

Defense

Defensive transition

Jonathan Gannon replaces Jeff Hafley as defensive coordinator and is moving Green Bay back toward a 3-4 base structure.

The change is designed to maximize Micah Parsons’ versatility, improve pressure disguise and make the front less predictable. Gannon previously worked with Hargrave in Philadelphia and Franklin in Indianapolis, giving the defense two veteran communicators already familiar with his broader philosophy.

Green Bay’s defense has excellent individual talent. Its immediate challenge is functioning without Parsons during at least the opening portion of the season.

Defensive line

The interior defensive line has been substantially rebuilt.

Javon Hargrave was signed to provide veteran pass-rushing production and familiarity with Gannon’s system. Green Bay believes the 33-year-old still has meaningful football remaining after a career that included two Pro Bowl selections.

Devonte Wyatt remains the most explosive returning interior defender.

Wyatt had four sacks with five games remaining in 2025 before suffering a major ankle injury. He has accumulated 21 tackles for loss and 30 quarterback hits over the past three seasons and should retain a prominent passing-down role when healthy.

The rotation also includes:

• Karl Brooks.
• Warren Brinson.
• Rookie Chris McClellan.
• Jordon Riley.
• Jonathan Ford.
• Several developmental linemen.

McClellan was selected 77th overall after recording 48 tackles, eight tackles for loss and six sacks during his final season at Missouri. His size and versatility should allow him to contribute at several positions across Gannon’s front.

Colby Wooden was traded to Indianapolis for Franklin. That move exchanged a young rotational defensive lineman for an established defensive signal caller.

The Hargrave-Wyatt-Brooks-McClellan group should create more interior pressure than last season’s late-year lineup. The risk is age and injury. Hargrave is entering his 11th season, while Wyatt is returning from a significant ankle problem.

Edge rushers

Micah Parsons is the defense’s most important player and its largest uncertainty.

Parsons recorded 12½ sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 27 quarterback hits in 14 games during his first season with Green Bay. He also generated a league-high 83 pressures before tearing his ACL.

His rehabilitation included ACL reconstruction and meniscus cleanup. The Packers have applied a nine-month no-football guideline, and he is expected to begin the regular season on the physically unable to perform list, which would require him to miss at least four games.

When Parsons returns, he gives Green Bay:

• Elite edge speed.
• Interior-rush flexibility.
• Strong run pursuit.
• The ability to pressure without blitzing.
• A player who commands double and triple teams.
• One of the NFL’s most disruptive fourth-quarter rushers.

Green Bay must survive the early season with a younger group.

The primary options include:

• Lukas Van Ness.
• Barryn Sorrell.
• Collin Oliver.
• Dani Dennis-Sutton.
• Brenton Cox Jr.
• Arron Mosby.

Rashan Gary was traded to Dallas, and Kingsley Enagbare signed with the Jets. The two played more than 1,000 combined snaps in 2025, leaving considerable responsibility for the younger rushers.

Van Ness enters a critical fourth season. He possesses excellent size and power but has not yet developed into a consistently productive pass rusher.

Sorrell and Oliver spent much of the offseason training with Parsons. Sorrell contributed as a rookie, while Oliver is attempting to establish himself after beginning his career recovering from hamstring surgery.

Dennis-Sutton was selected in the fourth round after consecutive 8½-sack seasons at Penn State. His power, length and effort give him a realistic opportunity to enter the rotation immediately.

The group has athletic potential but little established production without Parsons. Green Bay’s opening-month defense will depend heavily on Van Ness and its second-year rushers.

Linebacker

Zaire Franklin becomes the defensive signal caller.

Franklin joined Green Bay in an offseason trade after serving as one of the NFL’s most productive tacklers. He led the league with 173 tackles during his 2023 All-Pro season and has missed only one game over the past four years.

Franklin’s greatest value may be organizational.

He understands Gannon’s expectations, communicates fronts and coverages and gives the Packers a veteran leader during a significant schematic transition.

Edgerrin Cooper remains the group’s highest-upside player.

Cooper has the speed to pressure, pursue outside runs and defend in coverage. Playing beside Franklin should allow him to operate more aggressively rather than carrying every communication responsibility.

The supporting group includes:

• Isaiah McDuffie.
• Ty’Ron Hopper.
• Kristian Welch.
• Jamon Johnson.
• Several special-teams linebackers.

McDuffie remains a reliable run defender and special-teams contributor. Hopper began receiving more defensive work in his second season after playing almost exclusively on special teams as a rookie.

Quay Walker signed with Las Vegas after four seasons in Green Bay. Franklin is the steadier communicator, but Walker’s size and athleticism must still be replaced.

The Franklin-Cooper pairing should be productive. Coverage against athletic tight ends and running backs remains the area opponents are most likely to test.

Cornerback

Cornerback is one of Green Bay’s deepest but most unsettled position groups.

Trevon Diggs joined the Packers late in the 2025 season and brings elite ball-production history. He has the size, instincts and confidence to play aggressive outside coverage, although availability and consistency have fluctuated during recent seasons.

Keisean Nixon remains one of the leading returning corners and earned Pro Bowl-alternate recognition in 2025. His physicality, tackling and ability to play inside or outside provide flexibility.

Nate Hobbs is another experienced option, while Carrington Valentine remains a younger outside candidate.

The offseason additions include:

• Benjamin St-Juste.
• Kamal Hadden.
• Second-round rookie Brandon Cisse.

St-Juste brings exceptional size and extensive starting experience. Hadden adds another large boundary option.

Cisse was selected 52nd overall after starting 12 games at South Carolina. The Packers view him as a smart, physical corner who can also contribute immediately on special teams.

The likely competition includes:

• Diggs and Nixon as established leading candidates.
• Hobbs competing outside and in the slot.
• St-Juste and Valentine competing for boundary snaps.
• Cisse developing at multiple positions.
• Javon Bullard handling significant nickel responsibilities.

This group has size and depth but no guaranteed shutdown starter. Green Bay may use a matchup-based rotation rather than relying on the same three corners every week.

Safety

Safety is the strongest area of the secondary.

Xavier McKinney remains one of the NFL’s premier playmaking safeties. His range, anticipation and ability to disguise coverage make him central to Gannon’s defense.

Evan Williams has developed into a dependable complementary starter. He can play deep, rotate toward the line and contribute against the run.

Javon Bullard gives Green Bay a versatile third defensive back capable of playing safety, nickel and matchup assignments.

Kitan Oladapo and several younger players provide depth, while Zayne Anderson left for Miami during free agency.

The Packers can use McKinney, Williams and Bullard together in packages that:

• Disguise single-high and split-safety coverages.
• Protect the cornerbacks.
• Match tight ends.
• Create pressure from the secondary.
• Move Bullard into the slot.
• Allow McKinney to hunt interceptions from depth.

The top three are excellent. The concern is experienced depth if one of them misses significant time.

Special teams

Green Bay’s special teams were inconsistent in 2025 despite excellent punting.

Daniel Whelan established multiple franchise records, but the Packers ranked 23rd in field-goal percentage, 23rd in kickoff-return average and last in punt-return average.

Cam Achord takes over as special-teams coordinator.

Brandon McManus returns as the veteran kicker after converting 82.4 percent of Green Bay’s field goals. The Packers drafted Florida kicker Trey Smack to provide legitimate competition.

Whelan remains a major strength. His leg strength and ability to control field position have made him one of the league’s better young punters.

Matt Orzech returns at long snapper.

Skyy Moore was signed to improve the return game. Reed, Nixon, Melton and several younger receivers and defensive backs may also compete, but Green Bay should avoid exposing major offensive players unnecessarily.

The punting operation is stable. Kicker and returner are genuine competitions.

Most important offseason additions

• LB Zaire Franklin: Defensive signal caller and veteran leader.
• DT Javon Hargrave: Interior pass-rush reinforcement.
• CB Benjamin St-Juste: Experienced large outside corner.
• CB Kamal Hadden: Boundary and special-teams depth.
• WR/returner Skyy Moore: Return-game improvement.
• QB Tyrod Taylor: Experienced backup for Jordan Love.
• CB Brandon Cisse: Second-round cornerback with immediate special-teams value.
• DT Chris McClellan: Versatile interior defender.
• EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton: Developmental pass rusher with early opportunity.
• C/G Jager Burton: Young interior-line depth.

Most important departures

• OT Rasheed Walker: Three-year starting left tackle.
• WR Romeo Doubs: Dependable outside and postseason receiver.
• WR Dontayvion Wicks: Traded to Philadelphia.
• QB Malik Willis: Productive backup who signed with Miami.
• LB Quay Walker: Athletic starting linebacker.
• EDGE Kingsley Enagbare: Durable rotational and starting edge defender.
• EDGE Rashan Gary: Veteran starter traded to Dallas.
• RB Emanuel Wilson: Productive backup runner.
• S Zayne Anderson: Core special-teams contributor.
• DL Colby Wooden: Traded for Franklin.

Walker may be the most difficult offensive player to replace because Morgan has limited NFL experience at left tackle.

Gary and Enagbare are the most consequential defensive departures because Parsons is unlikely to be ready for the beginning of the season.

Draft-class outlook

Green Bay entered the draft without a first-round selection and made five picks:

Round	Player	Position	Projected early role
2	Brandon Cisse	Cornerback	Cornerback rotation and special teams
3	Chris McClellan	Defensive tackle	Immediate interior rotation
4	Dani Dennis-Sutton	Edge	Early pass-rush rotation
5	Jager Burton	Center/guard	Interior-line depth
7	Trey Smack	Kicker	Competition with Brandon McManus

Cisse carries the greatest long-term expectations, but McClellan and Dennis-Sutton may be more important immediately.

The Packers need both defensive linemen to contribute while Parsons and Wyatt complete their recoveries. Dennis-Sutton has a particularly clear path because Gary and Enagbare are gone.

Burton gives Green Bay another option if Rhyan struggles at center or Belton is not ready to start at guard.

Smack has a realistic opportunity to win the kicking job because Green Bay’s field-goal performance was below average in 2025.

This class is unlikely to define the offense, but it could provide essential defensive depth during the first half of the season.

Schedule assessment

Green Bay’s schedule combines a difficult road opening with favorable rest before the final stretch.

The Packers begin with consecutive road games against Minnesota and the Jets before hosting Atlanta on a Thursday night. It is the fourth time in franchise history that Green Bay has opened with two straight road games.

The NFC North games are unusually spread throughout the schedule:

• Week 1 at Minnesota.
• Week 5 against Chicago.
• Week 7 at Detroit.
• Week 10 against Minnesota.
• Week 16 at Chicago.
• Week 18 against Detroit.

It is Green Bay’s first season since the NFC North was created in 2002 without consecutive divisional games.

The schedule includes six initially scheduled prime-time games and several unusual dates:

• Thursday night against Atlanta.
• Sunday night against Dallas.
• Thursday night against Carolina.
• A Wednesday game at the Rams before Thanksgiving.
• Christmas Day at Chicago.
• Monday night against Houston in Week 17.

The Week 11 bye is unconventional. Only 10 days separate the Week 10 game against Minnesota and the Wednesday game against the Rams, but Green Bay then receives 11 days before playing New Orleans.

The opponent slate includes:

• Six NFC North games.
• The NFC South.
• The AFC East.
• Dallas at home.
• Houston at home.
• The Rams on the road.

The most difficult games include Buffalo, Houston, the Rams, Dallas and the full NFC North schedule.

The most favorable aspect is geography and rest late in the season. Green Bay hosts several cold-weather opponents at Lambeau and plays five of its nine home games in prime time, barring flex changes.

The greatest early challenge is surviving without Parsons. Minnesota, the Jets, Atlanta and Chicago may all occur before he is eligible to return if he begins the year on PUP.

Final prediction

Projected record: 11-6

Projected NFC North finish: First place

The NFC North should again be one of the NFL’s strongest divisions.

Chicago is the defending division champion and has a dangerous young quarterback. Detroit retains significant offensive talent, while Minnesota remains difficult at home and capable of competing for a wild card.

Green Bay nevertheless has the division’s best combination of quarterback efficiency, pass-catching depth, defensive star power and offensive coaching continuity.

The Packers’ realistic range is approximately 9-8 to 13-4.

The upper end becomes attainable if:

• Love maintains his 2025 efficiency.
• Watson remains healthy.
• Golden becomes a high-volume receiver.
• Kraft returns close to full strength.
• Morgan handles left tackle.
• Lloyd becomes a dependable second running back.
• Parsons returns by October and remains healthy.
• Wyatt and Hargrave provide interior pressure.
• One cornerback emerges as a true No. 1 option.
• The kicking game improves.

The lower end becomes possible if Parsons’ absence extends well beyond four games, Kraft’s recovery is slow or the new offensive-line alignment struggles.

Postseason probabilities

Outcome	Estimated probability
Make the playoffs	75%
Win the NFC North	39%
Earn a top-two NFC seed	22%
Win first playoff game	57% if participating
Win divisional round	38% if participating
Win NFC Championship Game	25% if participating
Win Super Bowl LXI	15% if participating
Overall probability of winning Super Bowl LXI	6%

These are analytical preseason estimates rather than sportsbook odds.

Most likely postseason result

The most likely outcome is a division title or high wild-card berth followed by an appearance in the divisional round.

Green Bay has enough offensive versatility to defeat a quality playoff opponent. Love can attack downfield without producing excessive turnovers, Jacobs can control difficult weather games and the receiving corps can create favorable matchups against both man and zone coverage.

The postseason ceiling depends on the defense.

With a healthy Parsons, Wyatt, Hargrave, Franklin, Cooper and McKinney, Green Bay can pressure elite quarterbacks without relying on excessive blitzing. That is the formula required to defeat teams such as Philadelphia, Seattle, the Rams or other top NFC contenders.

Without Parsons or with an unstable cornerback rotation, the Packers may again find themselves attempting to protect leads through offense and situational execution.

Green Bay’s repeated playoff failures are no longer attributable to youth alone. Love and the roster have accumulated enough postseason experience that another early exit would represent a significant disappointment.

An NFC Championship Game appearance is realistic. A Super Bowl berth is plausible but requires considerably better health than Green Bay had during the final two months of 2025.

Overall verdict

The Packers have a championship roster with several concentrated areas of risk.

Their greatest strengths are:

• Jordan Love’s efficiency and continued development.
• Matt LaFleur’s offensive structure.
• Christian Watson’s field-altering speed.
• Jayden Reed’s versatility.
• Matthew Golden’s breakout potential.
• Josh Jacobs’ physical running.
• Tucker Kraft’s all-around ability when healthy.
• Zach Tom anchoring the offensive line.
• Micah Parsons’ elite defensive impact.
• Strong interior pass-rush potential.
• Zaire Franklin and Edgerrin Cooper at linebacker.
• Xavier McKinney leading a deep safety group.
• Daniel Whelan’s punting.
• An experienced roster that has reached three consecutive postseasons.

The principal risks are:

• Parsons likely missing at least four games.
• Parsons and Kraft returning from ACL surgery.
• Wyatt returning from a significant ankle injury.
• Jordan Morgan’s limited NFL left-tackle experience.
• A new center and right guard.
• Jacobs’ recent workload and injuries.
• Limited proven running-back depth.
• Losing Doubs’ possession and postseason production.
• No established shutdown cornerback.
• Limited proven edge production behind Parsons.
• A difficult NFC North.
• Green Bay’s pattern of late-season and postseason collapses.

Final forecast: 11-6, first in the NFC North and a divisional-round appearance.

Green Bay has a legitimate opportunity to reach the NFC Championship Game and should be considered part of the conference’s primary group of contenders. The Packers’ best version has an efficient franchise quarterback, multiple explosive receivers, a powerful running game and one of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive players.

The difference between another frustrating playoff exit and a Super Bowl run will be determined by Parsons’ recovery, Kraft’s return and whether the younger offensive linemen can protect Love when Green Bay faces the NFC’s strongest defensive fronts.