You’ve probably been refreshing your feed for the last hour, wondering where the heck the Green Bay coverage is. If you’re looking for the kickoff time right now, there is a very blunt reason why the Packers game is delayed today: They aren't actually playing.
It sounds like a bad joke, honestly. But here’s the reality for the Green Bay faithful on this Saturday, January 17, 2026. The "delay" people are searching for isn't a lightning strike or a bus stuck in the snow. It is the cold, hard reality of a season that ended just seven days ago.
The Wild Card Heartbreak That Halted the Season
Last Saturday, January 10, the Packers traveled to Soldier Field. It was supposed to be the start of a deep run. Instead, it was a 31-27 loss to the Chicago Bears that sent Green Bay home early.
The "delay" today is simply that the NFL Divisional Round is moving forward without them. While the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills are currently duking it out, and the Seahawks and 49ers are prepping for the nightcap, the Packers are already back in Wisconsin. Most of the roster is probably halfway through their exit interviews or already looking at flights to Cabo.
It feels weird. For a team that was a Super Bowl favorite for a massive chunk of 2025, seeing the Divisional Round start without a "G" on the helmet is a bit of a system shock.
Why This Specific Date Is Causing Confusion
People are searching for delay info today because, for years, the Packers have been a fixture in these mid-January games. When you’re used to seeing your team play this late in the month, the lack of a game feels like a technical error.
Adding to the confusion, there were some massive weather reports floating around earlier this week. A "blast of winter weather" hit the Midwest and East Coast today. If the Packers had won last week, they likely would have been playing in some of these snow-dusted stadiums, which might have actually triggered a real delay.
The Matt LaFleur Situation
While there's no game on the field, there’s a massive "delay" in the team’s long-term planning that just got resolved. Just hours ago, news broke that Head Coach Matt LaFleur agreed to a multiyear contract extension.
- The deal keeps LaFleur in Green Bay for his eighth season.
- It follows a rocky 9-7-1 regular season.
- Management chose stability over a total rebuild after that 31-27 Wild Card collapse.
Some fans are livid. They see a coach who is 3-6 in the playoffs and think a delay in signing that extension would have been better. Others think losing Micah Parsons to an ACL tear in Week 15 and Jordan Love missing the end of the year with a concussion gave LaFleur a "pass" for how the season ended.
What’s Actually Happening in the NFL Today
If you’re a football junkie and just need to know what’s filling the void where the Packers should be, here’s the Saturday slate:
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: This one kicked off at 4:30 PM ET. It’s a battle of the powerhouses that many expected Green Bay to challenge.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: An NFC West grudge match at 8:00 PM ET. This is the slot Packers fans usually occupy.
It sucks to watch from the couch. Honestly, the 21-3 halftime lead the Packers blew against the Bears last week is going to haunt this fan base all summer. That "malaise" in the second half—as some analysts are calling it—is the reason the only delay today is the delay in Green Bay's quest for another Lombardi trophy.
Looking Toward the 2026 Season
The schedule for next year is already set, even if the dates aren't. Since the Packers finished second in the NFC North, they’ve got a brutal road ahead. They’ll be facing the NFC South and the AFC East in 2026.
👉 See also: Posiciones de Cúcuta Deportivo: El camino del Doblemente Glorioso hacia la Primera División
You’ll see them travel to play the New York Jets and the Los Angeles Rams. They’ll host Dallas and Houston at Lambeau. It’s not getting any easier. The real work starts now—rehabbing Jordan Love and figuring out how to play a full sixty minutes of playoff football without disappearing in the third quarter.
Actionable Steps for Packers Fans Today
Since there isn't a game to watch, here is what you should actually do to stay updated on the team’s offseason moves:
- Check the Injury Updates: Keep an eye on Micah Parsons’ rehab progress; his ACL surgery recovery will dictate the entire defensive scheme for the 2026 opener.
- Monitor the Front Office: With LaFleur extended, reports suggest GM Brian Gutekunst is next in line for a deal.
- Watch the Divisional Games: Keep an eye on the Bears vs. Rams game tomorrow. Knowing how the team that beat you performs will give you a better idea of how far off the Packers actually were.
The season is over, but the drama in Titletown is just getting started. Take a breather, enjoy the playoff games as a neutral observer, and get ready for a long, busy offseason.