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Several key X-factors headline the Packers' offense in 2026
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- Several key X-factors headline the Packers' offense in 2026
The Green Bay Packers enter Week 1 with plenty of question marks on both sides of the ball. However, several X-factors on offense could make or break the 2026 season.
It's MarShawn Lloyd's time to shine
A third-round pick in 2024, Lloyd has missed significant time due to injury over the last two seasons, missing the entire 2025 season with a hamstring strain. Now, with Josh Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list after being charged with two misdemeanors, the starting job in the Packers backfield is Lloyd's to lose.
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Lloyd will compete for carries with Chris Brooks and Kaleb Johnson . But he's the best suited to be Green Bay's primary back.
Aug 10, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (32) runs with the ball as Cleveland Browns linebacker Caleb Johnson (48) defends during the second half at Cleveland Browns Stadium.Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
With only 10 career NFL snaps, Lloyd is extremely unproven. If he's not up to the task of being the No. 1 guy for the Packers, it may create a hole that's impossible to fill this season.
TE Tucker Kraft must return to form after season-ending injury
Kraft participated in team drills at training camp, and NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Packers star tight end is at " full health ." However, it'd be unfair to expect the 25-year-old to be at 100 percent come Week 1.
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The Packers brought in veteran and former Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith near the end of camp as insurance, but he won't be able to carry the same weight as Kraft. Before sustaining a torn ACL last November, he was on pace for a career year, recording 32 receptions (15.3 YPC) for 489 yards and six touchdowns.
Mark Hoffman USA Today
The absence of running back Josh Jacobs and uncertainty along the offensive line are big enough problems for Green Bay. If Kraft is slow getting back into form, it could spell disaster for the Packers.
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RG Jacob Monk needs to prove he's worthy of the Packers' trust
Against pretty tall odds, it seems Monk will get the nod at right guard in Week 1 against the rival Minnesota Vikings. The 2024 fifth-round pick beat out last year's starter Aaron Banks, who moves to left guard, and 2025 second-round pick Anthony Belton, but he's proven little outside of training camp and preseason.
Monk has played in 17 games over two seasons, but recorded only 57 offensive snaps, most of them coming in Week 18 last year, when the Packers chose to rest their starters. In that small sample size, he posted a serviceable Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade (74.7), but struggled mightily in pass protection (50.7).
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Nevertheless, the Packers, and mainly head coach Matt LaFleur, see something they like in Monk.
"You talk about a guy that plays to the play style that we want," LaFleur told Mike Spofford of Packers.com . "He shows that toughness, that grittiness, the strain."
Should Monk fail to work out at right guard, the Packers could see a repeat of last year's struggles on the right side of the line, which was absolutely decimated by injury.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
