5 Positions Battles to Watch During Green Bay Packers Training Camp

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5 Positions Battles to Watch During Green Bay Packers Training Camp

Matt Johnson · Sportsnaut

Sat, Jul 18, 2026 ·

5 min read

Chris Brooks vs MarShawn Lloyd

Green bay Packers Training Camp, MarShawn Lloyd

Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (32) runs through a drill during practice on Wednesday, May 26, 2026, at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis.Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinCredit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

In reality, this is more so a battle between running back MarShawn Lloyd and his own body. Talent has never been the question with the former 88th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, Lloyd has just 6 carries in his NFL career because of a variety of leg injuries, ranging from hamstring and ankle sprains (2024) to the groin and hamstring issues that kept him out for all of 2025. Green Bay desperately needs him to remain on the field this summer, because Chris Brooks is best utilized as a third-down back. If Lloyd can stay healthy, he could be a highly effective 1B support option to Josh Jacobs .

Luke Musgrave vs Josh Whyle

Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (88) makes catch during the third quarter of their game Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 22-16 in overtime.Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Packers tight end Luke Musgrave should excel during first-team reps and easily win the job as the team's No. 2 tight end. There will be ample opportunity for him this summer with Tucker Kraft working his way back from ACL surgery. However, he wasn't the standout at the position during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. It was Josh Whyle . Musgrave, once the 42nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has struggled to stay on the field since landing in Wisconsin and he offers nothing as an in-line blocker. We just wouldn't be surprised if by late August, Whyle overtakes Musgrave on the Packers depth chart.

Sean Rhyan vs Jager Burton

Green Bay Packers Training Camp Position Battles to Watch

Green Bay Packers Sean Rhyan (75) and Dillon Wade (68) participate in mandatory minicamp Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Don Hutson Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinCredit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

After parting ways with veteran Elgton Jenkins early this offseason, Green Bay signed Sean Rhyan to a three-year contract extension worth $33 million. While he wasn't a great starter at center, he filled in admirably when Jenkins missed time and re-signing him ensured the team had a stable option on its interior offensive line. It would also be reasonable to think that Rhyan's starting spot is locked in just months after signing a new deal. However, Jager Burton might be changing that. Selected with the 153rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the rookie offensive lineman was one of the most impressive players on the practice field for Green Bay in June. Training camp and preseason will be far greater tests for Burton, but we're not ruling out the possibility that Burton wins the starting center job and pushes Rhyan into a reserve role.

Carrington Valentine vs Brandon Cisse

Green Bay Packers cornerback Brandon Cisse (2) jogs to the next warm-up station during practice on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at the Don Hutson Center in Ashwaubenon, Wis.Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinCredit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Carrington Valentine, a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is already a success story for Green Bay. The 6-foot cornerback has made 30 starts over the last three seasons, including 11 this past year. That experience and his time with the franchise is part of the reason why he is currently the front-runner to be the team's No. 2 cornerback entering training camp. However, as Justis Mosqueda wrote in his positional preview for AcmePackingCompany.com , the Packers coaching staff gave rookie Brandon Cisse more run with the first-team defense in June than they have with first-year cornerbacks in the past. If the second-round pick can show up to Packers training camp carrying a bit more weight while still maintaining his athleticism, it's not unreasonable to think he could supplant Valentine and start opposite of Keisean Nixon in Week 1.

Trey Smach vs Lucas Havrisik

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It wouldn't be Packers training camp without some competition at kicker. Lucas Havrisik's NFL career seemed over in 2025, was going to work as a substitute teacher when Green Bay came calling after Brandon McManus got hurt. Havrisik came in and shined, going 4-for-4 on field goal attempts, including a franchise-record 61-yarder on Oct. 19. However, when McManus was healthy enough to kick, Havrisik was seldom used again. He now faces even tougher competition this summer, with Green Bay having spent the 216th overall pick on Trey Smack. The Packers' rookie placekicker was up-and-down during OTAs and minicamp, so this will be a true competition. Ideally for the Packers, Smack wins the job outright and Havrisik remains a phone call away if needed.