Honestly, if you're a Green Bay fan, Saturday night felt like a fever dream you couldn't wake up from. One minute the Packers are cruising at Soldier Field, up 21-3 at the half, and the next, Caleb Williams is carving up the secondary like it’s a Sunday walkthrough. Losing 31-27 to the Bears in the Wild Card round isn't just a loss; it’s a gut punch that’s going to sting all the way through the scouting combine.
But here’s the thing. While the "Cardiac Bears" are moving on, the real update on green bay packers isn't just about one bad half of football in Chicago. It’s about a massive organizational pivot that started the second the clock hit zero. General Manager Brian Gutekunst isn't waiting around to feel sorry for himself. By Monday morning, the team had already signed 16 players to reserve/future contracts, essentially locking down the practice squad talent for the 2026 offseason.
We're talking about guys like running back Pierre Strong Jr. and kicker Lucas Havrisik. They aren't headliners yet, but they represent the first bricks in the wall for next September.
The Matt LaFleur Extension: Stability or Stagnation?
You've probably heard the rumblings. "Is LaFleur the guy who can actually win the big one?" After two straight years of first-round exits, people are getting twitchy. Yet, the word coming out of 1265 Lombardi Avenue is that a contract extension is actually the most likely path.
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Matt LaFleur has a 76-40-1 record over seven seasons. That’s elite, point-blank. But that 3-6 playoff record? That’s the shadow following him. CEO Ed Policy, who is taking over the reins from Mark Murphy, isn't a fan of "lame duck" coaches. Since LaFleur is entering the final year of his deal in 2026, the Packers are looking to hammer out an extension now to avoid a season-long circus.
It’s a vote of confidence that some fans might find hard to swallow after watching a 21-3 lead evaporate. But who else are you going to hire right now that guarantees more than 11 wins a year? The stability matters, especially with a young roster that’s still finding its identity.
Jordan Love’s Bank Account and the 2026 Salary Cap
Let's talk money because Jordan Love’s contract is about to get very real. In 2026, Love is set to carry a cap hit of roughly $36.16 million. That sounds like a lot until you realize it actually ranks around 14th among quarterbacks.
Basically, the Packers front-loaded the pain. Love is taking home $51 million in cash this year. While the 18-point collapse against Chicago wasn't his finest hour—especially that red zone struggles LaFleur mentioned in his season-ending presser—Love is the undisputed face of the franchise. He finished the regular season 9-7-1, showing he can carry the team, even if the consistency isn't always there.
The real problem isn't Love's salary; it's the guys who might have to walk to make the math work.
Roster Casualties: Who's Gone?
The NFL is a cold business. There are four names that most insiders think are as good as gone this spring:
- Elgton Jenkins: He’s been a legend, a two-Pro Bowl versatile beast. But the lower-leg fracture and a dip in performance make his $19.5 million cap relief too tempting to pass up.
- Rasheed Walker: He played 3,000 snaps over three years, but with the market for tackles exploding, Green Bay likely won't pay the $20 million per year he'll command.
- Rashan Gary: This one hurts. But with Micah Parsons now in the mix (when he’s healthy), Gary’s price tag might be the odd man out in the pass-rush budget.
The Micah Parsons Factor
Wait, did I mention Micah Parsons? Yeah, he’s a Packer now. It still feels weird to type. He spent the end of the 2025 season rehabbing a torn ACL, but the update on green bay packers defense hinges on his return. Parsons recently told reporters he’s eyeing a September return and plans on "putting on a show."
If the Packers can pair a healthy Parsons with the emerging Edgerrin Cooper—who played through a shoulder issue in the playoffs—the defense might finally stop being the reason fans pull their hair out in January.
Injuries That Bit the Packers at the Wrong Time
You can't talk about the loss to Chicago without mentioning the M.A.S.H. unit Green Bay was sporting.
Zach Tom was a "maybe" up until kickoff with back and knee issues.
Dontayvion Wicks was out with a concussion.
Malik Willis was nursing a shoulder.
It’s not an excuse—every team is beat up in January—but it explains why the offense looked so disjointed in the fourth quarter. When you lose your primary protectors and your deep threats, the playbook shrinks.
What Really Matters Moving Forward
The 2026 opponents are already set. The Packers will run through the NFC South and the AFC East. It’s not an easy road, but this team is built on a "we ain't goin' nowhere" mentality.
The defense is being rebuilt around Trevon Diggs (another waiver claim that raised eyebrows) and Xavier McKinney. The offense has its $220 million man under center. The coaching staff is likely getting a vote of confidence via a new deal.
If you’re looking for a silver lining, it’s this: The Packers were the youngest team in the playoffs for a reason. That heartbreak in Chicago? That’s the "scar tissue" coaches always talk about.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason:
- Watch the O-Line: With Jenkins and potentially Walker leaving, the draft will almost certainly focus on protecting Jordan Love.
- Monitor the LaFleur Extension: If a deal isn't signed by training camp, expect the "hot seat" rumors to become deafening.
- Parsons' Progress: His rehab updates will be the most important news of the summer. A healthy Micah changes the entire ceiling of this franchise.
The 2025 season ended in a puddle of disappointment at Soldier Field, but the 2026 Green Bay Packers are already being built in the front office. It’s going to be a long, busy spring in Titletown.