As has been the case for each of the last 14 seasons for Green Bay, the Packers bowed out of the playoffs much earlier than anyone around the organization would have hoped.
After being up 21-6, Green Bay suffered a monumental collapse in the second half of its Wild Card matchup with the Chicago Bears, ultimately resulting in a 31-27 loss and ending the Packers’ season.
While Green Bay fans and players have become used to falling short in the playoffs, having a season end against the team’s biggest rival in a game that looked over at halftime may be one of the most heart-breaking losses in not only Matt LaFleur’s tenure, but in Packers history.
“I am disappointed for everybody that is associated with the Green Bay Packers,” said LaFleur. “I am disappointed for our locker room. I am disappointed for our fans. I am disappointed for our leadership, all of our employees, everybody involved with the Green Bay Packers right now.”
LaFleur is right to be disappointed, as Green Bay now enters what is sure to be a long offseason full of question marks surrounding the team.
The Packers have not won a divisional title since 2021 and have entered the NFL playoffs as the NFC’s seventh seed in three straight seasons. While making the playoffs is certainly an accomplishment, for an organization as prestigious as Green Bay, making the playoffs and losing as the seventh seed is not going to cut it.
That is where the questions start. What is next for a Packers organization that has seemingly stagnated under LaFleur, quarterback Jordan Love and general manager Brian Gutekunst?
When looking at the makeup of the team, Green Bay does have talent on the roster.
Next season, Micah Parsons, Devonte Wyatt, Tucker Kraft and Elgton Jenkins will all be returning from season-ending injuries. Players like Love, Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney have proven that they will produce when called upon, but what about everyone else?
In what feels like an endless loop, Green Bay has a problem at the defensive back position.
Keisean Nixon, while he had moments of strong play, seems to be too inconsistent to be relied upon as the No. 1 corner on this team. Carrington Valentine is in a similar situation: There have been flashes, but overall it appears that opposing teams are not afraid of him.
The Packers attempted to remedy this issue before the playoffs by signing Trevon Diggs. It is unclear what Diggs’ future will be in Green Bay, as his cap hit for 2026 is just north of $15 million. With no guaranteed money left on his deal, there is not a strong financial burden that is going to hit Green Bay if he is released.
Another issue that is seemingly never ending for the Packers is the lack of pass rush.
This issue is likely to resolve itself as Green Bay will have Parsons, who may be a top five player in football, back next season. But rehabbing an ACL tear, Parsons will need time to be worked back into the defense. With this being the case, or if Parsons were to suffer another injury next season, there is little confidence the Packers’ pass rush will be enough as it stands to make an impact.
After Parsons’ injury in Week 15, Green Bay recorded just four combined sacks in four games. That just isn’t going to cut it when the team does not have the secondary needed to cover some of the better offenses in the NFL.
On the offensive side of the ball, it certainly looks like offensive line depth is a major concern.
Outside of Jenkins and Zach Tom, it does not appear that Green Bay’s offensive line is consistent enough to be relied upon in big games. Sean Rhyan’s versatility on the offensive line is an asset, but at this point in his career, he has worked better as a plug-and-place player rather than a full-on starter. Aaron Banks certainly struggled this season after signing a $77 million deal in the offseason, and Anthony Belton and Jordan Morgan are in a similar situation to Rhyan where they are better as depth pieces.
It is no secret that injuries played a major factor in this season, as having Parsons, Jenkins, Kraft and Wyatt all season would have put the Packers in a better spot.
“I know we lost some key players, but you have to find a way to overcome that, because I think we do have a lot of talent on our team and it’s disappointing,” said LaFleur.
While the noise surrounding LaFleur’s future in Green Bay is the loudest that it has been since he has taken over, is that truly what is best for this team? Can bringing in a new coach next season help to jumpstart a franchise that can’t get over the hump?
Maybe. What is certain though is that the Packers have a long offseason ahead with many questions to answer.
