The Green Bay Packers season ended on a down note. The team lost their last four regular-season games and then blew a 21-3 halftime lead in their playoff loss to Chicago. It’s the second straight year the team’s season ended in the first round of the playoffs. Like any NFL team in the salary cap era, the Packers have several positions on their roster that will need reinforcements if the team hopes to take the next step forward in 2026. Here are the top five Packers areas of need entering the 2026 offseason. Again, these positions are subject to change depending on which players are back with the team next season and which players the team parts ways with.

Fifth Area of Need for the Green Bay Packers Heading into the 2026 Offseason: Kicker

The Packers have two kickers on their roster as of now, but neither has a lock on the job next season. Brandon McManus was outstanding in 2024, but last season, injuries disrupted his season and he never regained his consistency. The Packers could easily save cap space by moving on from the kicker that missed three kicks in a four-point loss in the playoff game.

Lucas Havrisik filled in for McManus when he was hurt. He set a Packers record by kicking a 61-yard field goal but lacked consistency in a later season appearance.

The Packers need to settle on a kicker next season, but they may not have that player on their roster at the present time.

Fourth Area of Need: Backup Quarterback

Malik Willis becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason. He played outstanding football for the Packers, but he will almost certainly sign elsewhere this offseason. Willis has earned the chance to compete for a starting job somewhere next season. He will also be too expensive for the Packers to re-sign.

So, Green Bay needs to find another backup quarterback. The team did sign Desmond Ridder late in the season when both starter Jordan Love and Willis were injured, but he may not have a future in Green Bay.

GM Brian Gutekunst will either have to draft, trade, or sign a new backup quarterback this offseason. It will be tough to find someone as effective and reliable as Willis was, but that’s the challenge the team faces.

Third Area of Need for the Green Bay Packers Heading into the 2026 Offseason: Guard

The Packers have questions to answer across the offensive line. Tackle seems secure because of the depth and options available, but the guard position is less certain.

Starter Aaron Banks endured a difficult and injury-plagued first season in Green Bay. While there’s a chance the Packers move on from him this offseason, he’ll likely return.

The other starter at the end of the season was Anthony Belton who played guard for the first time this season after playing tackle in college.

Belton could move to tackle, especially if Zach Tom needs time to recover from knee surgery this offseason. Jordan Morgan will also likely play tackle next season.

That leaves the Packers uncertain about their starting guards and in need of more depth, especially if Sean Rhyan departs in free agency.

Second Area of Need: Center

Starter Elgton Jenkins will not likely be back as the Packers won’t be willing to pay him to return under his current high cap hit. Rhyan will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and may get more money on the market than what the Packers can reasonably offer.

The Packers lack a proven player at center. Tom can move to center but remains too valuable at tackle. The remaining players on the roster are unproven and are not considered ready to take over a starting position.

Gutekunst could look to draft a center on day three or sign a moderately-priced free agent. Either way, unless Rhyan returns, this becomes a major need.

First Area of Need for the Green Bay Packers Heading into the 2026 Offseason: Cornerback

Cornerback remains the team’s biggest need this offseason. Last year, the team failed to address the position until the seventh round of the draft. The only free agent they signed, Nate Hobbs, struggled with injuries and endured a disappointing season. Hobbs’ skill set works best in the slot, but he did not play well on the boundary.

Keisean Nixon took over as the team’s number one cornerback after the team parted ways with Jaire Alexander. But Nixon took too many penalties and just lacks the coverage skills to be a solid CB1. Carrington Valentine proved inconsistent and missed too many tackles.

The Packers lack a number one cornerback and can’t address it in the draft until the second round because they lack a first round pick in 2026 and 2027.

The defense needs to improve this position to become an elite unit in 2026.

 

 

 

 

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