The Green Bay Packers are nearly a quarter of the way through their 2025 campaign. The team is 2-1-1 but has endured two straight disappointing performances. While players like Jordan Love and Micah Parsons are playing well so far, here are five Packers who are off to disappointing starts this season. There is still time for these players to turn things around, but they have not lived up to expectations so far in 2025.
Five Packers Who Are Off to Disappointing Starts, Number Five: RB Josh Jacobs
This may not be fair but running back Josh Jacobs has not gotten off to as strong a start as he did a year ago. Most of this is not Jacobs’ fault. The offensive line simply hasn’t done a very good job of run blocking in the first four games of 2025. Jacobs has still been gaining yards after first contact, but too often, that initial contact came behind the line of scrimmage. In other words, too much of what Jacobs has gained this season, he has done on his own.
Last season, Jacobs gained 1,329 yards and averaged 4.4-yards per carry. This season, he gained 266 yards and averaged just 3.3-yards per attempt. That puts him on pace 1,130 yards over 17 games, roughly 200 fewer yards than he gained a year ago. The lower average yards per carry is a concern.
Jacobs needs better blocking to get back to his productivity of a year ago. That is more on the offensive line than on him, but his numbers to start the season are still a bit disappointing.
Number Four: OT Rasheed Walker
Entering this season, starting left tackle, Rasheed Walker knew this would be a critical season for him. The Penn State alum entered the final year of his rookie contract and knew he needed to play well to earn a lucrative second deal. He also had to fend off a challenge for his starting job from 2024 first-round pick, Jordan Morgan.
Injuries to left guard Aaron Banks and right tackle Zach Tom haven’t helped the offensive line at all, but Walker has struggled so far this season. He has not blocked particularly well for either the run or the pass. Pass protection was always his strength.
In just four games, Walker has already allowed two sacks and 13 pressures. A year ago, he allowed only three sacks all season and 35 pressures. He is on pace to allow nine sacks and 55 pressures, far off his previous performances.
The Packers need more from Walker after the bye if they hope to improve the running game and their ability to protect the quarterback.
Five Packers Who Are Off to Disappointing Starts, Number Three: LB Edgerrin Cooper
Edgerrin Cooper isn’t playing poorly, but he hasn’t played as well as the team hoped for in the first four games of the season. The second-year man out of Texas A&M is tied for the Packers lead in total tackles with 33. What’s been missing are the big plays he made in his rookie campaign.
Cooper has just 0.5 sacks and has yet to make a tackle for loss after having 13 in just 14 games a year ago. Yes, Cooper’s role has changed with the arrival of Parsons who has taken on the role as the team’s primary pass rusher. But Cooper hasn’t taken the step forward that the coaching staff expected. He’s been steady but not spectacular.
Number Two: G Sean Rhyan
According to Pro Football Focus, starting right guard Sean Rhyan has been a poor pass blocker and a below average run blocker so far this season. He’s already allowed 10 pressures in four games after giving up just 24 all of last season.
Again, the absence of Tom for most of the season hasn’t helped Rhyan, but he has truly struggled to open holes for the running game and to protect the quarterback.
Like Walker, Rhyan’s contract expires after this season. He needs to play better to earn a better contract next year whether it’s in Green Bay or elsewhere.
Five Packers Who Are Off to Disappointing Starts, Number One: C Elgton Jenkins
The Packers decided to move Elgton Jenkins from left guard to center after they opted not to re-sign Josh Myers. Jenkins had already played both tackle and guard extensively and now would start at center full time.
Unfortunately, the two-time Pro Bowl player has not made a smooth transition to center. Jenkins himself admitted he has not been playing up to expectations. He’s struggled blocking for both the run and the pass. Pro Football Focus ranks his pass blocking as better than his run blocking, but it’s average at best this season. Out of 35 centers with enough snaps to be ranked, Jenkins is in the bottom quarter of the list.
Jenkins’ cap hit goes up significantly next season, and unless the 30-year-old returns to form in the remaining 13 games, this may be his final season in Green Bay.
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