The energy at 1265 Lombardi Avenue feels weirdly different lately. It isn't just the fact that Jordan Love has firmly grabbed the keys to the franchise, but the way the roster has been built around him suggests a massive shift in how Brian Gutekunst views the team's window. If you're looking at the starting lineup for the packers, you aren't just looking at a list of names; you’re looking at one of the youngest, fastest experiments in NFL history.
Let’s be real. Nobody expected the 2023 season to end with a beatdown of the Cowboys in Dallas. That changed everything. It accelerated the timeline. Now, the expectations aren't "let's see what we have," they are "let's see how far this group can go."
👉 See also: The New York Knicks Spike Lee Relationship is More Complicated Than You Think
The Captain of the Ship: Jordan Love and the Skill Positions
Everything starts with Number 10. After years of watching Aaron Rodgers operate like a surgeon—sometimes a grumpy one—Love brings a sort of "let it rip" mentality that has breathed new life into Matt LaFleur’s playbook. Love is the locked-in QB1, and there’s no debate there anymore. The real intrigue in the starting lineup for the packers comes from who is catching the ball.
There is no "true" WR1 in Green Bay, and honestly, that might be their biggest strength. On any given Sunday, Christian Watson might be the deep threat that keeps safeties awake at night, or Romeo Doubs might be the guy winning the 50/50 balls in the red zone. Then you have Jayden Reed in the slot, who is basically a human joystick. It’s a headache for defensive coordinators because they can't just bracket one guy and call it a day.
Then there's the Josh Jacobs factor. Moving on from Aaron Jones was a gut punch for the fans—Jones was the heart and soul of that locker room. But Jacobs brings a different kind of violence to the run game. He’s a volume back. In the modern NFL, having a guy who can handle 20 carries and still look fresh in the fourth quarter is a luxury.
The Trench Warfare: Protecting the Franchise
If you want to know if the Packers will win the NFC North, look at the left side of the line. Rasheed Walker has somehow gone from a seventh-round developmental project to the guy tasked with protecting Love’s blindside. It’s a gamble. But he showed enough down the stretch last year to earn the benefit of the doubt.
Elgton Jenkins remains the anchor at left guard. He’s the veteran presence this young group desperately needs. On the right side, Zach Tom is quietly becoming one of the best right tackles in the league. He doesn't get the national media love, but the film doesn't lie. He’s sticky in pass protection and athletic enough to get out in space on those outside zone runs LaFleur loves so much.
The center position has been a bit of a rotating door or a "best five" situation. Josh Myers has his critics, mainly because of his consistency, but the coaching staff seems to value his pre-snap communication. In this starting lineup for the packers, the chemistry between the center and Jordan Love is arguably more important than any PFF grade.
Jeff Hafley’s New-Look Defense
This is where things get spicy. Out with Joe Barry’s "bend-but-don't-break" (and sometimes just break) soft zone, and in with Jeff Hafley’s aggressive, press-man philosophy. For years, Packers fans have been screaming for the corners to play closer to the line of scrimmage. Well, you got your wish.
The starting lineup for the packers on defense is built for chaos. Rashan Gary is the alpha on the edge. He’s coming off a full offseason of being healthy, and his motor is legendary. Across from him, Preston Smith continues to defy Father Time, but keep an eye on Lukas Van Ness. The "Hercules" moniker isn't just for show; his power is real, and they need him to take that sophomore leap.
The Secondary Overhaul
The biggest move of the offseason was snagging Xavier McKinney from the Giants. For a long time, the safety position in Green Bay was... let's say "adventurous." McKinney brings elite range and, more importantly, elite communication. He allows everyone else to play faster because they aren't worried about who’s covering the deep half.
📖 Related: The Math of March: How Many Brackets in March Madness Are Actually Possible?
- CB1: Jaire Alexander. When he’s locked in and healthy, he’s a top-five corner. He needs to stay on the field.
- CB2: Eric Stokes or Carrington Valentine. Stokes has the elite speed, but Valentine has that "dawg" in him that coaches crave.
- Safety: McKinney is the lock, but the rookie Javon Bullard has "starter" written all over him. He hits like a linebacker and covers like a nickel.
The linebacker corps is also shifting. Quay Walker is the freak athlete who needs to turn all that speed into consistent production. With the move to a 4-3 base, the responsibilities are shifting. It’s less about reacting and more about attacking the gaps.
The Special Teams Question Mark
We can't talk about the starting lineup for the packers without mentioning the kicking game. It's been a rollercoaster. Anders Carlson had a rough rookie year—that missed kick in the playoffs against the Niners still stings. Rich Bisaccia is a legendary coach, but even he can't kick the ball for them. The competition in camp is real because, in a tight playoff race, you can't afford to leave points on the board.
Punting seems stable with Daniel Whelan, who showed a massive leg last year. But for the Packers to be elite, every phase has to click. You can't have a top-five offense and a defense that creates turnovers only to lose games because of a missed 40-yarder.
Why This Mix Actually Works
Some critics say the Packers are too young. They argue that when the lights get bright in January, you need those grizzled veterans who have seen it all. I disagree. This youth is an advantage. These guys don't have the "Sears Centre" baggage of losing to the 49ers four times in the playoffs. They play with a certain level of arrogance that is necessary in the NFL.
Look at the tight end room. Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft are basically a two-headed monster. Musgrave is the vertical threat, while Kraft is the guy who will run through your face. Having two starting-caliber tight ends who can both block and catch is a cheat code. It allows LaFleur to stay in 12-personnel but still spread the defense out.
📖 Related: Casa Pia vs Porto: What Most Fans Get Wrong About This Matchup
The depth is also better than it’s been in years. If a starter goes down, the drop-off isn't a cliff. That’s the "Gutey" philosophy in action. Draft, develop, and don't be afraid to let high-priced veterans walk a year too early rather than a year too late.
Actionable Insights for the Season
If you’re tracking how this roster evolves, here are a few things to keep your eyes on as the weeks progress:
Watch the Snap Counts at Receiver
Don't get frustrated if your favorite guy doesn't get 10 targets. The Packers are playing the "hot hand" game. If Christian Watson is pulling the safety deep, Jayden Reed is going to feast underneath. It’s about the collective, not the individual stats.
Monitor the Offensive Line Rotations
Adam Stenavich likes to tinker. If the run game stalls, don't be surprised to see Sean Rhyan rotate in at guard. The Packers value versatility, and they’ll move guys around until they find the combination that moves the pile.
Look for the "Star" Position
In Hafley’s defense, the nickel corner (the "Star") is vital. Whether it’s Keisean Nixon or a rookie like Bullard sliding down, that player is the key to stopping the modern NFL’s obsession with slot receivers. If that position struggles, the whole defense struggles.
The starting lineup for the packers is no longer a rebuilding project. It's a contender. The window isn't just opening; it’s being kicked down. Whether it’s the revamped secondary or the explosive young playmakers, this team is built to compete right now. Pay attention to the health of the offensive tackles and the consistency of the kicker—those are the two hinges this entire season could swing on.