GREEN BAY – Organized team activities (OTAs) begin for the Packers on Tuesday, and over the next two weeks the media, including packers.com, will have access to one practice each week.
Here are five questions we'll be searching for early answers to during practice observations on Wednesday, May 28, and Tuesday, June 3, followed by the offseason-concluding minicamp June 10-12.
- How are the new receivers being incorporated?
First-round draft pick Matthew Golden, third-rounder Savion Williams and free agent pickup Mecole Hardman are entering a crowded receiver room loaded with competition. Whether or not any get 11-on-11 reps with away with the No. 1 offense, and where exactly they're lining up when they take those snaps, will be an ongoing storyline from now through the preseason in August.
All of them have played in the slot and outside in the past, with Williams also running the ball from the backfield on occasion. Head Coach Matt LaFleur mentioned after the draft it's on the coaching staff to be creative with the new offensive additions. How quickly that creativity is on display will be interesting to see.
- Where are certain players lining up on the offensive line?
Coaches have indicated last year's first-round pick, Jordan Morgan, will be competing with both Rasheed Walker at left tackle and Sean Rhyan at right guard this year. So where Morgan is taking the bulk of his snaps during OTAs will be worth paying attention to.
Also, where the Packers begin second-round rookie Anthony Belton's NFL journey is another topic. The behemoth N.C. State left tackle was touted as having the ability to play guard or tackle and on either side.
Last but not least, if veteran Elgton Jenkins – who is moving to center in 2025 to accommodate the free agent signing of Aaron Banks at left guard – continues to not attend this voluntary portion of the offseason program, the player snapping the ball for the No. 1 offensive line would seemingly be the frontrunner to back up Jenkins.
Candidates for that spot could include the veteran Rhyan, 2024 fifth-round pick Jacob Monk, or possibly even rookie seventh-rounder John Williams.
- What are the different secondary packages?
Over the past two offseasons, the Packers have built a secondary with several versatile pieces, as cornerbacks Keisean Nixon and incoming free agent Nate Hobbs can play both the slot and boundary, while 2024 second-round pick Javon Bullard played both safety and nickel corner as a rookie.
So, assuming Jaire Alexander's situation remains unresolved for the time being, does the top nickel group feature Nixon and Hobbs on the outside and Bullard in the slot, or would it be Nixon and Carrington Valentine on the boundary with Hobbs in the slot? Where do the seventh-round picks from the last two years, Kalen King and Micah Robinson, get their snaps with the reserve units?
At safety, who's lining up alongside All-Pro Xavier McKinney with will be watched closely as well. Second-year pro and 2024 fourth-rounder Evan Williams became the preferred partner, health permitting, in the back end as Jeff Hafley concluded his first season as defensive coordinator, but Bullard played plenty back there last year as well.
- Who's handling the third linebacker role?
With the nickel defense the most common personnel package, Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper are expected to be the two inside linebackers anchoring the unit the vast majority of the time.
But when the Packers line up in a traditional 4-3 base, a third off-ball linebacker is needed, and that could be the re-signed Isaiah McDuffie, 2024 third-round pick Ty'Ron Hopper, or possibly new addition Isaiah Simmons.
Again, competition is afoot as players vie for roles and responsibilities.
- Any new drills from the new coaches?
Two of the more significant changes to the coaching staff for 2025 have former Patriots defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington taking over the Packers' defensive line, and former NFL QB Sean Mannion stepping in for the retired Tom Clements at quarterbacks coach.
Covington has spoken about being a very hands-on coach while Mannion observed Clements closely last year. Sean Duggan, who has worked alongside Hafley at multiple coaching stops, also has been promoted to linebackers coach to take over after Anthony Campanile became defensive coordinator in Jacksonville.
How each coach puts his spin on training his position will be worth watching.
