The Green Bay Packers preseason opener is finally upon us, as they are set to take on the Justin Fields-led New York Jets in the first of their three games prior to the start of the regular season. For the past few weeks, Packers players and coaches have been busily preparing for the 2025 NFL season, and there are several spots on the 53-man roster up for grabs. This preseason game, should it happen despite the severe weather in Green Bay on Saturday, will give coaches and the front office a great deal to look at when it comes to determining which players will make the cut.
So, too, fans will get the chance to see many of their favorite players, some for the first time. 2025 first round pick Matthew Golden, for example, will be taking the field for the first time as a member of the Packers, and the hype around him has been palpable all camp long. But his spot on the roster is all but guaranteed, while those of others are up in the air. Additionally, some veterans need to have strong performances this season to prove they deserve a place with the organization for future years.
1. Defensive End Lukas Van Ness
When the Packers decided to trade Aaron Rodgers to the Jets in 2023 in order to make way for Jordan Love to be the starting quarterback, part of the return package was a first round pick swap. Moving up to the 13th overall pick, Green Bay selected Lukas Van Ness out of Iowa.
But, as has been the case for several of the Packers’ first round picks in recent years, the former Hawkeye is taking time to realize his potential. He had 4.0 sacks as a rookie in 2023, but 3.0 sacks in 2024 despite seeing a slight increase in his playing time.
By all accounts, Van Ness is looking fierce in training camp and is a good candidate to take a massive leap in 2025. He will need to do so as Green Bay weighs whether or not they will pick up his fifth year option and if they want him to be a part of their future plans.
2. Quarterback Tyler Elgersma
The Packers have Love set at as their franchise quarterback and have Malik Willis to back him up for this season. However, Willis proved last season that he is a very capable NFL quarterback and should get some decent contract offers in free agency next season.
That begs the question of who will be Love’s backup quarterback in 2026, and the team believes Tyler Elgersma has the potential to do so. In 2024, he won the Hec Crighton Trophy, Canada’s version of the Heisman, after completing 74.1% of his passes for 3,765 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
With Love and Willis entrenched as Green Bay’s top-two quarterbacks, Elgersma will not make the 53-man roster, but is a strong candidate to be the team’s practice squad quarterback.
3. Quarterback Sean Clifford
Elgersma’s signing did indicated that Green Bay did not have much faith in their 2023 fifth round pick Sean Clifford, who was Love’s backup that particular year. The Packers selected Matthew Pratt in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft to add some competition to the quarterback room, and all it did was show that neither Clifford nor Pratt were good enough to back up Love, prompting Green Bay to trade for Willis.
After being cut by the Packers following the trade for Willis, Clifford was re-signed to their practice squad, where he spent all of last season.
He will need a much better showing in preseason games this year compared to last’s if he is going to even make the practice squad. If he cannot outperform Elgersma, his days in Green Bay will be over.
4. Center Elgton Jenkins
While there are jobs on the offensive line up for grabs and those position battles are very intriguing, it is the play of Elgton Jenkins at center that will also be worth viewing. A two-time Pro Bowl left guard, Jenkins is now Green Bay’s center following the departure of Josh Myers in free agency.
The position is not new to Jenkins, who spent his college career as Mississippi State as their center. But early reports out of training camp indicate that he and Love are not yet on the same page, and sometimes the snaps leave a lot to be desired. This is a big reason why head coach Matt LaFleur wants his starters, especially Love and Jenkins, to get some meaningful snaps during the preseason.
They have to get that timing down in actual game action.
5. Cornerback Bo Melton
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
One of the most intriguing stories of Packers training camp is Bo Melton switching positions from wide receiver to cornerback. The move was made for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that the Packers have a very full and competitive wide receiver room. But Melton provides immense value on special teams, and his play in that facet of the game made coaches believe he could make the position switch.
And, based on reports from camp, he is playing well.
The preseason opener against New York will be the first time Melton faces opposing wide receivers, so it will be very intriguing to see what he can do.
More Green Bay Packers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Packers’ 90-Tackle Defender Could Be Jeff Hafley’s Secret Weapon
- Packers Need Matthew Golden to Overcome Critical Issue as a Rookie
- Packers GM Brian Gutekunst Breaks Silence on Bo Melton Position Change
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