The Green Bay Packers don’t have many starting jobs up for grabs as training camp approaches, but Matt LaFleur’s team isn’t without position battles this summer. The Packers have a few big roles to square away before the Detroit Lions come to Lambeau Field for the season opener in September. And there’s no better setting for competition than training camp, where practices, joint practices and preseason games provide opportunities to improve and stand out.
Here are some of the most important position battles to watch in Green Bay this summer:
Zach Kruse: Cornerback
Two things to watch: Where does Nate Hobbs line up, and who will win the backup jobs? The Packers like Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine as perimeter options, but they also say Hobbs will get a chance to play both outside and in the slot. His best spot is likely inside, where he can be a disruptive player against the run. It’s possible Hobbs will be a perimeter corner in the base defense and a slot corner or matchup corner in nickel. Behind the top three, the Packers must find capable backups. This is a battle between Kalen King, Kamal Hadden, Micah Robinson and possibly even undrafted rookies Jonathan Baldwin and Tyron Herring. The Packers need a player or two from that group to emerge as a capable backup option this summer.
Mark Oldacres: Left tackle
With the Packers essentially confirming former first-round pick Jordan Morgan will be focusing on left tackle this year, the battle is on between him and Rasheed Walker, who has done an admirable job in the last two seasons. Whether or not Walker can fend off the young contender will have a significant bearing on his free agent market in 2026, and in a perfect world, the Packers would likely prefer Morgan to win the job as Jordan Love’s blindside protector.
Brandon Carwile: Safety
I’m expecting a heated battle for the starting safety job opposite Xavier McKinney. After a few eye-opening performances last season, many are high on Evan Williams, but I wouldn’t count out Javon Bullard just yet. Both Williams and Bullard experienced highs and lows as rookies, though the fourth-rounder appeared to outshine the second-rounder at times. However, Bullard spent most of last season lining up in the slot, and with the addition of Nate Hobbs, he is likely to get more looks at safety. The Packers are fortunate to have three viable options, but it will be interesting to see who ultimately starts alongside McKinney. It may be matchup dependent.
Obligatory wide receiver reference
It wouldn’t be a pre-training camp position battles post without a reference to the wide receiver position. This is a battle to watch, considering the Packers are bringing back three experienced receivers — Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks — and adding first-round pick Matthew Golden, third-round pick Savion Williams and three-time Super Bowl champion Mecole Hardman to the mix. Throw in Bo Melton and Malik Heath, and there’s a lot to sort out at wide receiver. The biggest question might be centered around Golden’s ability to be an instant contributor and command targets right away.
Under the radar battle: Returner
Keisean Nixon is once again open to being the returner, but the Packers added experienced returner Mecole Hardman in free agency. If Hardman makes the team, he’ll need to contribute on special teams, and the Packers would probably prefer for Nixon to focus on his cornerback duties. He’s now too important on defense to risk injury on returning, right? Matthew Golden also has experience returning kicks.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Picking most important position battles for Packers entering 2025 training camp
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Brandon Carwile and Mark Oldacres, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
