The Green Bay Packers will open training camp in one month. The team is optimistic heading into the 2026 NFL season and hopes that the return of several injured stars will help them improve after their third consecutive playoff appearance. While there are clear cut favorites for most positions in the starting lineup, there are some positions that are most definitely up for grabs as we head towards the start of the new season. Here is a look at the top five position battles we can expect entering training camp for the 2026 season. They are not listed in any particular order.
Packers Position Battle Entering Training Camp 2026, Number Five: Nose Tackle
The Packers are switching to a three-man base front under new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. That means they have a greater need for a full nose tackle. They lack an incumbent at the position heading into training camp.
The top two candidates are second-year man Nazir Stackhouse and rookie Chris McCllelan. Jonathan Ford has an outside chance of earning playing time here as well.
Stackhouse played 13 games as a rookie last season but didn’t see a lot of playing time on defense. For the season, he was on the field for 159 snaps or 19 percent of the Packers defensive snaps in the games he played.
Like most rookies, Stackhouse had his struggles and moments where he flashed his ability. He didn’t receiver good grades from Pro Football Focus.
McClellan can play any position along the defensive line. We’ll see how often the team asks him to play the nose and how he fares when given the opportunity.
The nose tackle may only be on the field for 20-25 percent of the team’s defensive snaps, but it will be a critical position for the team when it comes to stopping the run.
Number Four: Edge Rusher
We know the Packers have to play without Micah Parsons for up to half the season. That means they need at least one player to provide consistent pass rush until he returns to the lineup. There will be several players fighting for starting jobs and spots in the rotation.
Lukas Van Ness becomes the likely starter on one side with several candidates battling for the starting spot opposite him.
Brenton Cox, Barryn Sorrell, Collin Oliver, and rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton are the top candidates. The Packers need someone to establish themselves here because the secondary was vulnerable after Parsons and Devonte Wyatt were lost due to injuries last season.
Packers Position Battle Entering Training Camp 2026, Number Three: Center
The Packers signed Sean Rhyan to a three-year, $33 million extension this offseason. He finished the 2025 season as the starting center. Rhyan’s play improved as the season progressed. He gives the team strength and grit, but his overall PFF grades were below average.
His main competition will come from rookie fifth-round pick, Jager Burton. Like Rhyan, Burton can play any of the three positions along the interior offensive line. He played well at OTAs, and mandatory minicamp and head coach Matt LaFleur indicated he has a chance to play regularly this season.
The battle between Rhyan and Burton will be an interesting to watch. Both should see playing time during the season.
Number Two: Backup Running Back
The Packers opted not to re-sign last year’s RB2, Emanuel Wilson. The top candidates to be the change of pace back behind Josh Jacobs are Chris Brooks and MarShawn Lloyd.
The team would like to see Lloyd win the job. He has outstanding speed and becomes a threat to break a long gain any time he touches the ball. The issue for Lloyd has been staying healthy. In his first two NFL seasons, he’s managed to play in just one game. Lloyd needs to stay healthy, or his pro career could be over before it really begins.
Brooks spent the last two seasons as the team’s third running back. He remains the team’s best blocking running back and is good at picking up blitzes and stunts. He remains a serviceable runner and receiver, but lacks the dynamic abilities that Lloyd brings to the table.
Packers Position Battle Entering Training Camp 2026, Number One: Defensive Line
The Packers defensive line will look different this year. The team will now be playing a three-man front in base. They should have Devonte Wyatt healthy and ready to play again which adds an important pass rush component to the interior line.
The Packers also signed veteran free agent Javon Hargrave and drafted McClellan who can play all three spots along the line. Karl Brooks will also be back to try to earn playing time.
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