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Packers Have Underwhelming Position Battle This Summer
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- Packers Have Underwhelming Position Battle This Summer
As a consequence of the trade to land Micah Parsons , the Green Bay Packers had to reshuffle the roster in the offseason.
On offense, the Packers lost two key receivers, Dontayvion Wicks , Romeo Doubs , left tackle Rasheed Walker and interior offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins . On defense, Green Bay lost defensive end Rashan Gary , linebackers Zaire Franklin and Quay Walker and cornerback Nate Hobbs .
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Losing Hobbs could be a major issue for the secondary this offseason because the Packers have an underwhelming position battle at cornerback this summer between Carrington Valentine , Benjamin St-Juste and rookie Brandon Cisse.
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Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers walks across the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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"The Packers had a plan at corner," Sloak wrote . "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 .
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"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."
St-Juste is on his third team in as many seasons ( Washington Commanders 2024, Los Angeles Chargers 2025). He made just two starts for the Chargers last season.
It's hard to imagine Valentine will show major improvement in 2026, though a competition could bring out the best in the 2023 seventh-round pick.
It might not be ideal for the rookie to start, but it might be a good sign for Cisse's future if he earns the starting job out of training camp. The former South Carolina standout was Green Bay's first choice in the 2026 draft, coming in the second round.
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The Packers' secondary enters the regular season knowing that the secondary is a weakness, which could be a problem early. Parsons is likely going to start the year on the PUP list while he recovers from a torn ACL injury.
Eventually, the defense line should help the secondary, but it could be October before the pass-rush helps out the winner of the battle between St-Juste, Valentine and Cisse.
For more on the Packers and the NFL , head to Newsweek Sports .
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