The 2026 NFL season starts 100 days from Tuesday. As is typical around this time, predictions are all the rage in NFL content circles.
Connor Orr of SI.com and a host of ESPN writers all put out prediction posts this week. And both publications mentioned the Green Bay Packers several times.
Let’s run through some of the predictions, some bolder than others, involving the Packers:
From Connor Orr: Jager Burton will be PFF’s top graded rookie OL
“Jager Burton of the Packers. While Burton, a fifth-round pick out of Kentucky, is not a locked-in starter at this point, his guard-center versatility and a 100% league injury rate guarantees that he’ll eventually get a window of time to showcase his skills on a down-to-down basis with the Packers.”
A spicy one right away. Orr is right — Burton is currently slated to be a backup at center and guard as a rookie, but he has a real path to playing time given the injury rate along the offensive line. And it won’t be surprising if Burton, an experienced center, ends up pushing Sean Rhyan at the position. Right on schedule, Burton took some first-team reps along the offensive line during OTAs this week.
From Seth Walder: Jordan Love will be a top-10 MVP candidate
“Love quietly ranked third in QBR (72.7) last season behind only Maye and Brock Purdy. In order for him to win MVP, the Packers would have to become more pass-heavy. But it would probably be a good move for Green Bay to do exactly that, so Love has a chance.”
Love has always been a master of efficiency, and Walder hits the bullseye — the Packers need more volume in the passing game. If Love can remain hyper efficient and productive with more passing volume, and the Packers win the NFC North and rank as one of the top teams in the NFC, Love will have a real chance to be an MVP candidate.
From Connor Orr: Jordan Love will lead the NFC North QBs in most passing stats
“Love will outpace Jared Goff, Caleb Williams and the combination of Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy in touchdowns and completion percentage. But Williams will lead the NFC North in passing yards.”
It appears there is real optimism in the potential of Love having a big 2026 season. But the same idea applies: Love needs more volume.
From Ben Solak: Packers CB will be one of the top positional battles of training camp
“The Packers had a plan at corner. It was supposed to be 2025 free agent Nate Hobbs, whom they were converting from a slot player to an outside corner. Hobbs injured his knee in training camp and missed Week 1, and then he missed more time midseason as he struggled to hold the job opposite Keisean Nixon. That forced Valentine into the lineup, and he was a target for opposing offenses. Hobbs was released after just one season, and now veteran journeyman St-Juste and second-round rookie Cisse are the challengers for Valentine’s role.”
Packers fans will love reading this one. While Green Bay returns Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and Javon Bullard, the additions of Benjamin St-Juste and Brandon Cisse provide real, immediate competition for starting jobs and snaps. Nixon and Valentine are entering contract years, so the Packers can truly let the best player win. Green Bay needs better corner play to get where it wants to go in 2026.
From Eric Moody: WR Jayden Reed will be a fantasy football sleeper
“Reed was limited to seven games and 22 targets last season after sustaining a broken clavicle, but he had top-30 fantasy WR finishes in both 2023 and 2024. Reed’s 2026 outlook improves after the Packers moved on from Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs this offseason.”
The clarification of the Packers receiver depth chart should provide a fantasy boost for Reed, Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, who should all have defined roles as the top three receivers in Matt LaFleur’s offense. Reed was a volume producer and touchdown maker during his first two seasons, so a bounce back season is very possible in 2026.
From Ben Solak: Packers-Bears in Week 5 is a “must-watch game”
“There were three Bears-Packers games last year. The first in Week 14: 28-21 Packers win that ended on an end zone interception by quarterback Caleb Williams. The next in Week 16: 22-16 overtime victory for the Bears that ended on the enormous DJ Moore post route. And the final one in the wild-card round: 31-27 Bears win that included three fourth-quarter TD drives for Chicago and ended with the drive-by Ben Johnson-Matt LaFleur handshake. The blood is bad between the two historic rivals right now. Tune in!”
The least bold of all the predictions. The first meeting between the Packers and Bears since the 21-3 collapse in Chicago will have all the hype. Finally, this rivalry has been reignited. The next chapter should be an excellent one.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Reviewing a few recent bold predictions on the Packers entering 2026
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
