Packers 2025 preseason

[adambr2]

Basically they can be a contender if X number of things from this list happen: stay relatively healthy, Love improves and plays at Pro Bowl level, Golden looks legit, Van Ness finally looks like something not resembling a bust and they’re able to start generating a pass rush without blitzing, and the offensive line meshes well and holds up. 

But there’s 20 teams in the league with a “we can contend if X number of things happen from this list.”

[yourout]

17 hours ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

Careful. Going to make some people here very upset by just stating reality. We were so close to winning the Super Bowl. We only lost to the Eagles by 10. 

At this point I have no idea if they win 10 or lose 10.

[CheezWizHed]

I remember when I used to enjoy preseason... seeing if players made progress, getting a glimpse of the new players... 

Now it is just watching a confusing mix of 2nd to 4th string players that don't look like they've played together before.  It's like a big practice. 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

13 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

I remember when I used to enjoy preseason... seeing if players made progress, getting a glimpse of the new players... 

Now it is just watching a confusing mix of 2nd to 4th string players that don't look like they've played together before.  It's like a big practice. 

I never enjoyed it, but I do wish they would let the starting offense play for an entire quarter, then maybe a half in the final game. It's very obvious they're out of sorts at the start of every season. I don't know why it's become kosher to just punt your first 2 games. 

The entire season is a mess of guys getting constantly hurt anyway. The idea that you're preventing that by not having them play a couple series in the preseason is a bit overzealous for me.

[CheezWizHed]

4 hours ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

I never enjoyed it, but I do wish they would let the starting offense play for an entire quarter, then maybe a half in the final game. It's very obvious they're out of sorts at the start of every season. I don't know why it's become kosher to just punt your first 2 games. 

The entire season is a mess of guys getting constantly hurt anyway. The idea that you're preventing that by not having them play a couple series in the preseason is a bit overzealous for me.

Yeah, the last few years of the Rodger's era it became really evident that the real offense wouldn't show up for 2-3 games into the season. 

[HarryDoyle]

I don't think McManus's job is in jeopardy. Or that McNamee is threatening anybody's livelihood.

[HarryDoyle]

I hope Sorrell is okay. I really like this kid. Can be an immediate contributor.

[yourout]

One thing is obvious. The guys that we're going to cut are not going to have much interest. 

Our scrubs really are scrubs.

[yourout]

2 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

Yeah, the last few years of the Rodger's era it became really evident that the real offense wouldn't show up for 2-3 games into the season. 

Looking at the schedule that's going to be a rough way to start the season.

[HarryDoyle]

Okay, I've learned my lesson. No more preseason for me.

[yourout]

1 minute ago, HarryDoyle said:

Okay, I've learned my lesson. No more preseason for me.

We might not even want to watch the first month of the season. 

[HarryDoyle]

10 minutes ago, yourout said:

One thing is obvious. The guys that we're going to cut are not going to have much interest. 

Our scrubs really are scrubs.

How does a guard get called for illegal formation not one but twice, and on consecutive plays? Once is unacceptable. Belton has already committed five penalties. Is this guy really our second round pick?

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I've watched a quarter more preseason than I ever intended but my God, is this uninspired. This staff really can't get this team to stop committing idiotic penalties. 

[BrewerFan]

On 8/15/2025 at 4:58 PM, CheezWizHed said:

I remember when I used to enjoy preseason... seeing if players made progress, getting a glimpse of the new players... 

Now it is just watching a confusing mix of 2nd to 4th string players that don't look like they've played together before.  It's like a big practice. 

I really checked out last year... I think. I haven't watched any of it closely this year. I've fast forwarded through, rewound to see some REALLY nice plays by Belton and Sorrell...a few nice catches. Simmons made a great play at the goal line. But I'm not watching play in and play out. So I now Belton has a lot of penalties. I'm literally only going back and watching the plays where something looks good. 

Also, Monk. He was blocking Buckner yesterday and he got into him and drove him back 5 yards. 

 

It made me wonder...'why the hell are the Colts playing Buckner' at that point of the game and made me want to double check there wasn't another guy with the same last name, but not the All-Pro(I never did, the guy was clearly 6'8 and DeForrest) and then I'm seeing Q. Nelson and Taylor out there in the 2nd Quarter. 

And we're playing guys in the 1st half who won't make the team. 

 

You can't play this scared. Give the first team offense ONE half to play. A FULL half. Then pick apart their issues...

 

I think we win double digit games but... it's also really hard for me to not assume a double digit loss in Week 1. And the first digit could be a 3. 

 

Good to see Lloyd with a nice catch. I saw Musgrave(or Jeff Janis 2.0 as some on the board refer to him😉) and appreciated Kuhn talking about how dangerous we could be IF he and Kraft are on the field together this year. 

Oh, and I also like that Fitzpatrick at TE. Big guy, good blocker. Reliable receiver. 

 

 

But yeah, I'm getting through these in 15 minutes and only watching a play where something stands out in 2.0 speed. 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Golden looks Golden but I hate his number.

[yourout]

I wonder how many truly difficult decisions are going to have.

[Sixtolezcano]

15 hours ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

Golden looks Golden but I hate his number.

Elijah Pitts 

[CheezWizHed]

Hopper is starting to look as fast and active as Walker, but is able to avoid blockers.  He had a nice preseason. 

Simmons will probably make the team but I hope he never plays on defense.  He is constantly lost out there.  Keep him on ST. 

Morgan is going to be all over the place this year.  Double-edged sword... he looks good at T or G, but his versatility might keep him from locking down a single spot. 

Willis might never become a top-end starting QB, but he is fun to watch play. His scrambling ability reminds me of a young Rodgers.  Not a run-first type, but can escape trouble. 

I saw something very "odd" with Doubs out there.  Heath made a catch and Doubs ran up to celebrate with him.  Heath was busy celebrating himself, but completely blew off Doubs... despite Doubs standing right in front of him.  

Neither Stackhouse nor Brinson looked very good this year.  They keep getting blown off the ball on short-yardage plays. 

The final CB spot will be interesting.  They have a few guys that look like decent development guys.  King was tackling very well.  Hadden was out there hustling.  

[BrewerFan]

8 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

Neither Stackhouse nor Brinson looked very good this year.  They keep getting blown off the ball on short-yardage plays. 

Slaton was one of the biggest bargain signings of the year for the Bengals. Perhaps he wanted to move on, but he was among the best run stuffing DTs in the league last year. 

The Packers obviously didn't... value that or felt they could replace that with their scheme(which is obviously pretty vanilla yet)... but for 2/14 and 5M GTD that was a player I'd have liked to see them retain. 

[CheezWizHed]

2 hours ago, BrewerFan said:

Slaton was one of the biggest bargain signings of the year for the Bengals. Perhaps he wanted to move on, but he was among the best run stuffing DTs in the league last year. 

The Packers obviously didn't... value that or felt they could replace that with their scheme(which is obviously pretty vanilla yet)... but for 2/14 and 5M GTD that was a player I'd have liked to see them retain. 

Maybe we will regret it, but I get the sense that Hafley's defense didn't need the big NT type.  You have Wyatt and Brooks ascending the playing time ladder, which makes Slaton a "Clark or Slaton" type playing time decision.  Also interesting to see Wooden re-intent himself this year... I thought for sure that he'd be cut this time. 

Ironically, Stackhouse and Brinson are exactly where Slaton was for his first two years - getting pushed around way too much for guys their size. 

[CheezWizHed]

Packers set their sights on the Super Bowl after a pre-season trade!

Ok, Kinnard might not have that much of an impact this year (at least hopefully not), but he has played on the last three Super Bowl winning teams.  Time to make it a fourth!

But seriously, I am glad to see Gute shoring up the roster with a trade.  Seems like the Eagle's press is a bit bummed about their guard depth after this trade, so I take it he will be a decent G backup and emergency T. 

[BrewerFan]

51 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

Maybe we will regret it, but I get the sense that Hafley's defense didn't need the big NT type.  You have Wyatt and Brooks ascending the playing time ladder, which makes Slaton a "Clark or Slaton" type playing time decision.  Also interesting to see Wooden re-intent himself this year... I thought for sure that he'd be cut this time. 

Ironically, Stackhouse and Brinson are exactly where Slaton was for his first two years - getting pushed around way too much for guys their size. 

I think every Defense needs that big DT to play the run on early downs to really be able to stop the run. 

He went to a very similar defense as we have in Cincy. Brooks and Wyatt are just... not physical enough. I think it's more likely we see Clark as the 1 Tech and less on 3rd downs this year if Stackhouse can't hold up. 

I also just have a different opinion of him his first couple years. I thought he was always stout when he needed to hold the point. Getting him moving latterly vs some ZBS and... maybe he could get washed out, but we were pretty good when teams ran right at him. 

 

I'm confident in Hafley... but his scheme is going to have to do a lot of heavy lifting to make up for some inadequacies in personnel this year. 

 

[BrewerFan]

44 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

Packers set their sights on the Super Bowl after a pre-season trade!

Ok, Kinnard might not have that much of an impact this year (at least hopefully not), but he has played on the last three Super Bowl winning teams.  Time to make it a fourth!

But seriously, I am glad to see Gute shoring up the roster with a trade.  Seems like the Eagle's press is a bit bummed about their guard depth after this trade, so I take it he will be a decent G backup and emergency T. 

Has he played Guard in the NFL? I thought this was more tackle depth(particularly RT since Tom can...move anywhere if necessary). 

6th rd pick in two years. Hard to complain about that. Plus he's...related to Dolly! Somehow... not exactly sure how, but his Aunt is her cousin... that's something!

 

I still don't know what this OL will look like. I really wish they played a half in the 2nd pre-season game as they generally are not super cohesive as a unit early in the year, but it's hard to argue with LaFleur. I wonder if they make this move if not for Glover and Monk's injuries. I think they'll designate Monk to return. Monk and Lloyd? 

I hope I'm not missing someone. I'd LOVE to see Lloyd healthy. Adds another element. I think he and Musgrave need to be able to stay on the field and contribute this year. If they can AND they get Watson back week ...I don't know, 10-12(that's optimistic, but not as optimistic as he and his Dad have been) with all these other weapons?

 

There seems to be less enthusiasm and talk about the Packers than in a while. I guess some of that could attributed to the Milwaukee Ueckers, but so many injuries keeping so many of the young guys out and seeing a LOT of young guys who won't make the roster hopefully makes this pre-season a dull one, but pays off in the regular season. 

I think the most exciting stories to me have been Melton at CB and maybe this is boring, but just the REALLY good, steady play of guys like Gary, Valentine, Morgan... guys who are so important to this team. 

[CheezWizHed]

1 hour ago, BrewerFan said:

I think every Defense needs that big DT to play the run on early downs to really be able to stop the run. 

He went to a very similar defense as we have in Cincy. Brooks and Wyatt are just... not physical enough. I think it's more likely we see Clark as the 1 Tech and less on 3rd downs this year if Stackhouse can't hold up. 

I also just have a different opinion of him his first couple years. I thought he was always stout when he needed to hold the point. Getting him moving latterly vs some ZBS and... maybe he could get washed out, but we were pretty good when teams ran right at him. 

 

I'm confident in Hafley... but his scheme is going to have to do a lot of heavy lifting to make up for some inadequacies in personnel this year. 

 

Slaton had very poor technique as a rookie, thus he barely played any.  He had to learn to use his girth and it wasn't until around year 3 that he really broke through. 

• Edit: fact checking myself: Slaton had 25% and 32% of defensive snaps his first two years.  But there were many times he was pushed back off the LOS in those early years. 

My biggest concerns about our DT is depth (if Clark is injured) or short yardage situations.  Sounds like Brooks and Wooden have looked better against the run (though that is a low bar from where they started).  Wouldn't shock me to see a waiver wire pickup here. 

1 hour ago, BrewerFan said:

Has he played Guard in the NFL? I thought this was more tackle depth(particularly RT since Tom can...move anywhere if necessary). 

6th rd pick in two years. Hard to complain about that. Plus he's...related to Dolly! Somehow... not exactly sure how, but his Aunt is her cousin... that's something!

 

I still don't know what this OL will look like. I really wish they played a half in the 2nd pre-season game as they generally are not super cohesive as a unit early in the year, but it's hard to argue with LaFleur. I wonder if they make this move if not for Glover and Monk's injuries. I think they'll designate Monk to return. Monk and Lloyd? 

I hope I'm not missing someone. I'd LOVE to see Lloyd healthy. Adds another element. I think he and Musgrave need to be able to stay on the field and contribute this year. If they can AND they get Watson back week ...I don't know, 10-12(that's optimistic, but not as optimistic as he and his Dad have been) with all these other weapons?

 

There seems to be less enthusiasm and talk about the Packers than in a while. I guess some of that could attributed to the Milwaukee Ueckers, but so many injuries keeping so many of the young guys out and seeing a LOT of young guys who won't make the roster hopefully makes this pre-season a dull one, but pays off in the regular season. 

I think the most exciting stories to me have been Melton at CB and maybe this is boring, but just the REALLY good, steady play of guys like Gary, Valentine, Morgan... guys who are so important to this team. 

He is the classic mauler style college T that the Packers often convert to guard due to athletic limitations.  He played a bit of both for KC and Philly, but most indications had him more at guard.  Especially with Philly trading for another backup T.  Philly reporters seem to indicate he was a top backup at G. 

Morgan, Walker, Banks, Jenkins, Rhyan, and Tom are pretty clearly the top 6 - with both the top backup at C, G, and T in that top 6.  Belton vs Kinnard might be a toss-up for next in line T, but I'm pretty sure Kinnard slots in ahead of Monk, Jennings, and Telfort. Honestly, for as much draft capitol we've spent on the OL, our depth is disappointingly thin. 

[OldHeidelberg]

4 hours ago, BrewerFan said:

 

 

There seems to be less enthusiasm and talk about the Packers than in a while. I guess some of that could attributed to the Milwaukee Ueckers, but so many injuries keeping so many of the young guys out and seeing a LOT of young guys who won't make the roster hopefully makes this pre-season a dull one, but pays off in the regular season. 

 

Maybe it's the Brewers and maybe it was the losing streak down the stretch last season. But I think this is the most talented team they have had post Rodgers, there should be more excitement than there is. All that youth is now entering their primes and there is very solid depth across the roster. Can't wait until Detroit game, I think we're going to smoke em and then the enthusiasm will start.