The Green Bay Packers will finish their 2025 regular season this Sunday in Minnesota against the Vikings. Because of injuries and the fact that the game will not impact the Packers playoff seeding or opponent, the Packers may rest some starters for part or even all of the game. If that is the case, many backups will likely play larger roles on Sunday. This will give the coaching staff a chance to see them in more extensive game action. Here are five Packers players we want to see play bigger roles in the season finale in Minnesota:
Five Packers We Want to See Play Bigger Roles in the Season Finale, Number Five: DE Barryn Sorrell
The Packers selected Barryn Sorrell in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The former University of Texas star has played 13 games thus far this season but has not seen much action on defense.
Sorrell recorded half a sack back in Week 2 against the Commanders. The rookie has not seen much action on defense this season. He played more than 13 snaps on defense in a game just once this season and that was against the Cardinals in October. When he has played, it’s mostly been in base defenses and running situations.
Jeff Hafley and the defensive coaching staff should give Sorrell more reps on Sunday and specifically more opportunities to rush the passer.
Number Four: WR Savion Williams
Thus far, the Packers have used third-round pick Savion Williams as a kick returner and occasional receiver. On offense, the head coach Matt LaFleur has inserted Williams on the field mostly to run gadget plays like jet sweeps and end arounds.
For the season, Williams has caught 10 passes on 10 targets for 78 yards and a touchdown. He has also run the ball 11 times for 37 yards.
Williams has shown promise in limited opportunities. This Sunday could be a chance to see how ready he is to play in the team’s normal offense depending on whether they rest any of the top five receivers.
Five Packers We Want to See Play Bigger Roles in the Season Finale, Number Three: DT Nazir Stackhouse
The Packers run defense played dreadfully against the Ravens last Saturday. They didn’t execute the scheme properly, used poor technique, and took bad angles to the ball. Hafley has to improve things quickly if the Packers have any realistic chance of winning a playoff game.
One player who could help is rookie nose tackle Nazir Stackhouse. The undrafted free agent out of Georgia played 12 games but hasn’t been active for a game since Thanksgiving. Stackhouse is a 327-pound run stuffer who specializes in holding his ground at the point of attack and occupying blockers.
Stackhouse doesn’t add much as a pass rusher and only plays in base defense and short yardage situations. Still, the team has nothing to lose by getting an extended look at what Stackhouse can do on the field.
Number Two: LB Ty’Ron Hopper
Ty’Ron Hopper possesses a good combination of size and speed. The second-year man out of Missouri played all 16 games this season but only started one. He recorded 19 total tackles, forced one fumble and has one tackle for loss.
Despite his athletic ability, Hopper has only played 59 snaps on defense all season. With Quay Walker playing through injuries, the Packers may try to rest Walker for at least part of the game. That should give Hopper a chance to see more actions.
Hopper’s issues have been mastering the defensive scheme and reading plays. The Packers should give him a chance to show how much progress he’s made with extended playing time in the season finale.
Five Packers We Want to See Play Bigger Roles in the Season Finale, Number One: WR Matthew Golden
Matthew Golden became the first wide receiver to be selected by the Packers in the first round of the draft in more than two decades. While showing some promise in preseason, Golden has failed to establish himself as one of the team’s top receivers despite a rash of injuries at the position.
Golden made 28 catches this season for 353 yards. He has yet to score a touchdown. In the last four games since returning from an injury of his own, Golden has just four catches on nine targets. He’s played 13 games and started four while playing just 50 percent of the team’s offensive snaps.
The Packers may opt to rest Dontayvion Wicks who left last week’s game with a concussion. They will likely also limit the playing time of Christian Watson and some of the other top receivers. This should give Golden a chance to become more involved in the offense. That could boost his confidence heading into the postseason.
The Packers have nothing to lose by giving these players an opportunity to see substantial action in the season finale this Sunday. One of them could even be a pleasant surprise.
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