NFL.com’s Nick Shook recently highlighted his 11 players entering “make-or-break” seasons across the NFL in 2026, but no players from the Green Bay Packers made the list.
So, who are the top “make-or-break” players for the Packers this season?
At this time last year, one could have easily pegged Rashan Gary and Elgton Jenkins among the players entering “make-or-break” years in 2025. A year later, and now both will be playing somewhere other than Green Bay.
Our list of the Packers players at a career crossroads in 2026:
C Sean Rhyan
The Packers just gave Rhyan a three-year deal to return as the starting center, but Rhyan’s deal is essentially a one-year deal with two team options, especially considering there’s a $6.5 million roster bonus due next March. Not only are there financial ramifications in play, but Rhyan is still inexperienced at center, having only made eight starts there last season, and the Packers just drafted Jager Burton, a true center who could compete right away to play as a rookie. The new money says otherwise, but have the Packers ever truly trusted Rhyan? He’s been benched multiple times during his first four seasons, and he needed an injury to get back on the field in 2025. Burton is an obvious insurance plan if Rhyan struggles at center and the Packers need to make a change come 2027.
TE Luke Musgrave
Musgrave’s first three seasons in Green Bay have been a mix of intriguing flashes and debilitating injuries, and now the 2023 second-round pick is entering a contract year fighting for a real role behind Tucker Kraft. At one point, Musgrave and Kraft appeared to be complementary weapons capable of unlocking the potential of a 12 personnel offense, but a lack of availability and development from Musgrave has so dimmed his prospects that it’s fair to wonder if he’ll be someone the Packers look to trade at some point this year. Can he produce a strong, injury-free summer and prove capable of being more than just a one-dimensional pass-catching threat? Time is running out for Musgrave.
CB Carrington Valentine
While Valentine can cover, his inability to play the run or consistently make tackles has finally forced the Packers to look for alternatives at corner. The offseason brought the arrival of veteran Benjamin St-Juste and rookie draft picks Brandon Cisse and Domani Jackson. St-Juste is experienced on the perimeter and coming off a strong 2025 season, while Cisse will be a starter eventually, whether the moment arrives at some point in 2026 or to start 2027. Valentine will spend his contract year competing alongside two players the Packers specifically targeted to increase the competition at a key position. Without improvement, it’s hard to see Valentine keeping his starting job or staying in Green Bay past 2026.
LB Zaire Franklin
The soon-to-be 30-year-old linebacker is new to Green Bay and coming off a disappointing 2025 season in Indianapolis, and his contract is set up to have an easy out for the Packers before the 2027 season. His cap number rises over $10 million next year, so without a bounce back performance in 2026, it’s likely Franklin’s stay in Green Bay will be a short one. The 2024 Pro Bowler must show he’s a reliable playmaker in Jonathan Gannon’s defense during his first season with the Packers.
LG Aaron Banks
The Packers paid big money to get Banks in free agency before the 2025 season, but injuries all but derailed his season before it even got off the ground — a defining theme for Green Bay’s offensive line. Now, he must be on the field to help power a redemption season. Can Banks stay healthy, play at a consistently high level and help the offensive line rebound in 2026? A bounce-back season from Banks at left guard — combined with the possibility of getting improved play at left tackle with Jordan Morgan — has to happen for the Packers offense to be at its best in 2026. And keep in mind: Green Bay must decide if it wants to pay a whopping $9.5 million roster bonus to Banks come March of next year.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Who are the Packers’ make-or-break players entering 2026 season?
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
