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    Love: Packers will finish games better in 2026

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    GB Quarterback #10
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    Jordan Love said the “biggest difference” for the Packers’ offense in 2026 will be its “ability to finish.”

    You, of course, cannot simply flip a switch and “finish better,” but it remains notable that the Packers’ players and coaches have spent the entire offseason and summer pledging to avoid the late-game collapses that have so often plagued them in recent seasons. It would appear coach Matt LaFleur and company are dead serious about changing their mindset. That is always easier said than done, but offensive balance just for the sake of it looks like it might be out the window in Green Bay this season. Hopefully the same will be true of taking the air out of the ball the second they have a second half lead. Again, it would be far from surprising if nothing really changes, but it is rare you will hear a team have these kinds of conversations out in the open. A more aggressive mindset would obviously only mean good things in fantasy football.
Which new head coach will have most success?
With 10 NFL coaching hires in the offseason, Football Night in America debates who will have the most success in 2026, highlighting Jesse Minter, Joe Brady, and John Harbaugh.

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  • GB Quarterback #10
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    Although a potential, albeit brief, matchup against Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers is intriguing, the Packers’ wide receiver rotation is the real reason to tune in. Packers WR Christian Watson should be the team’s top target earner this season, and Love said WR Matthew Golden is set to assume X-receiver duties. Will slot WR Jayden Reed get to take snaps in two-receiver sets? That is to be determined.
  • GB Quarterback #10
    This is one of two games being played on Christmas, which is the Friday of Week 16. The Packers beat the Bears in Week 14 of the 2025 season before losing their final four regular season contests, one of which was an overtime loss to the Bears. They were then bounced from the playoffs by Chicago in the Wild Card Round. Their Christmas matchup will have major playoff implications and could even determine the winner of the NFC North.
  • GB Quarterback #10
    During a Monday interview LaFleur said Green Bay would “strip everything down and start like it’s Year 1 all over again” on the offensive side of the ball a year after the Packers had the NFL’s fourth highest EPA per play and fifth highest offensive success rate. “I just think reinstalling and trying to go through — it might take a little bit more time — but really get into the detail because that’s usually the separator,” LaFleur said. It’s an interesting offseason tidbit that would lead to a new-look Green Bay offense under Jordan Love in 2026. That could mean a slightly less run heavy approach, perhaps, after the Packers had the seventh lowest pass rate over expected in 2025. The Packers will likely be forced to increase WR Matthew Golden’s role after losing Romeo Doubs to New England in free agency.
  • GB Quarterback #10
    Love underwent surgery on his left thumb during training camp ahead of the 2025 season. The issue cropped up in the middle of the year but never seemed to cause him much trouble. Love also injured his non-throwing shoulder. He, again, did not miss any time. Love has battled through numerous injuries over the past two seasons. The good news is that, as of now, none of them are lingering into 2026. He should have a normal offseason routine as he and the Packers look to avenge their Wild Card Round loss to the Bears.
  • GB Quarterback #10
    Love’s stats are fine — even if the completion percentage leaves a bit to be desired — but could have been even bigger if not for some passes that should have been caught by the Green Bay receiving corps. The signal-caller helped the Packers build a 21-3 lead in the first half, but there wasn’t much offensive success in the final 30 minutes. The 27-year-old’s season is over after throwing for 3,381 yards with a 23/6 TD/INT ratio over 15 games, and while there were some frustrating moments in 2025, it’s hard to complain about the production. Love will be back in Green Bay in 2026 barring something unforeseeable, and he’ll be deserving of QB1 consideration in drafts next year.
  • GB Quarterback #2
    With little to play for, the Packers will rest key starters ahead of the postseason, including Jordan Love, though he was cleared to suit up for Week 18. Willis will sit, leaving Clayton Tune as the Packers’ starter against a tough Minnesota defense that will likely overwhelm the third year pro. Emmanuel Wilson could function as the Packers’ lead back with Jacobs inactive. JJ McCarthy and the Vikings will likely face second and third stringers on Green Bay’s defense.
  • GB Quarterback #10
    Love is practicing in full and out of the concussion protocol. The Packers are locked in as the No. 7 seed in the NFC, giving them nothing to play for in Week 18. Love will be one of several starters who get the week off. LaFleur told reporters the team hasn’t made a decision on Tune’s backup versus Minnesota. Malik Willis is dealing with shoulder and hamstring issues. He could be inactive as the team’s third quarterback, with Love holding the clipboard for Tune on Sunday.
  • GB Quarterback #10
    LaFluer also confirmed that the Packers plan on resting some of their starters in Week 18 against the Vikings. It makes plenty of sense with Green Bay already locked into the No. 7 seed in the NFC Playoffs. Love would seem to be a prime candidate to get the week off even if he clears concussion protocol in time this week.
  • GB Quarterback #10
    The Packers are locked in as the No. 7 seed with no ability to move up in the order. Jordan Love missed Week 17 with a concussion and Josh Jacobs has been playing through knee issues for most of the season. Christian Watson recently suffered a chest injury and has been playing through it as well. The list goes on and on for the Packers, as it does for most teams at this point in the season. With nothing to play for in Week 18, expect those three players and several others to get the week off as Green Bay prepares for a Wild Card Round game.
  • GB Quarterback #2
    Packers starting QB Jordan Love (concussion) was ruled out on Friday, and reports indicated Willis was expected to get the start despite being sick and nursing a throwing-shoulder injury. Willis is indeed the team’s Week 17 starter and can be treated as a QB2 with intriguing rushing upside. Appearing in three games this season, Williams completed 12-of-14 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 13 times for 63 yards.

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  • ATL Quarterback #9
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Michael Penix (knee) is targeting a Week 2 or Week 3 return.

    Tua Tagovailoa is out with a back issue for Week 1, and Cooper Rush is dealing with back problems of his own, though he will attempt to play through them. Tua’s timeline to return is unknown. Already down to their third-string quarterback, the Falcons desperately need Penix back. He practiced in full this week, meaning that a return in Week 2 looks likely. All Atlanta pass-catchers will get a boost once Penix takes over.
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports De’Zhaun Stribling (ankle) is out “at least a month.”

    Stribling suffered a deltoid sprain in his ankle. He is not expected to undergo surgery at this time, though Rapoport notes it is still a possibility. The fact that Rapoport noted that Stribling is “still seeking opinions” suggests surgery is very much on the table. With the rookie sidelined, Demarcus Robinson will slide into the three-receiver rotation. He scored a long touchdown versus the Rams in Week 1, though he profiles as a boom/bust WR6 going forward. Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel will see the majority of targets in most weeks.
  • ARI Running Back #4
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Jeremiyah Love (ankle) is expected to play in Week 1 against the Chargers.

    Love was limited in practice throughout the week. Head coach Mike LaFleur, however, said he would have no limitations in practice as early as Wednesday, so the limited designation is likely a technicality. He was listed as questionable at the end of the week and LaFleur called him a game-time decision. Love has been trending in the right direction for a while and should be good to go when the Cardinals release their inactives. He will likely split work with Tyler Allgeier, keeping him in the RB2 ranks for his NFL debut.
  • NO Running Back #41
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    Alvin Kamara (knee) is not expected to play in Week 1 against the Lions.

    Kamara practiced in full on Friday but was still listed as questionable for Week 1. It doesn’t sound like there are any immediate concerns with the knee issue, but rather the team wants to ease him back into action with another week of practice. Kendre Miller will serve as the team’s RB2 for this game.
  • CHI Wide Receiver #15
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Rome Odunze (calf) is expected to play in Week 1 against the Panthers.

    Odunze was limited by the calf issue throughout the week before being listed as questionable on Friday. He will suit up today but might not be at full strength. Odunze will be a high-risk WR3 for his 2026 opener. To no one’s surprise, Colston Loveland trails only Trey McBride in the tight end rankings, while Luther Burden is a speculative WR2.
  • PIT Cornerback #24
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    ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Joey Porter Jr. (back) is unlikely to play in Week 1 against the Falcons.

    Porter Jr. missed all of training camp with the back issue, but, as Schefter notes, he has also been engaged in unsuccessful contract talks with the Steelers all offseason. Schefter immediately added, “The possibility of a trade remains in play.” It sounds like his Week 1 absence is almost entirely based on the lack of a new contract, meaning he could continue to miss games until that changes.
  • BAL Quarterback #8
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    ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports an extension for Lamar Jackson is likely “on hold” until 2027.

    Jackson and the Ravens engaged in contract talks throughout the offseason but never got the deal across the finish line. Jackson doesn’t have an agent, meaning he represents himself in contract negotiations. The added time and stress of that likely means neither side wants to continue contract discussions in the midst of the regular season. Jackson is under contract through the 2027 season, giving the team one more offseason to get him locked down long-term.
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    NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reports the Jaguars are “unlikely” to extend Parker Washington before Week 1.

    Per Wolfe, the Jags explored a deal similar to that of Michael Wilson, who just landed a three-year, $75 million extension. The two sides couldn’t agree to terms, and Washington will now start his contract year. It’s a highly risky move for a largely unheralded player who caught lightning in a bottle at the end of last year. Washington caught 29 passes for 507 yards and three touchdowns in his final five games, including one postseason appearance. If he repeats anything close to those numbers over a full season this year, Washington will make far more than Wilson as a free agent next offseason.
  • HOU Quarterback #7
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    Texans and QB C.J. Stroud will pause contract discussion until after the 2026 season.

    The two sides worked diligently to get a deal done before the start of the regular season but will now pause discussions until after the year. Stroud was reportedly offered a substantial deal earlier in the offseason but turned it down, now forced to “bet on himself” as he plays out the final year of his rookie deal, minus the fifth-year option. Stroud has been unable to rekindle his rookie year magic while playing under two different offensive coordinators, something he’s looking to remedy in his second season under Nick Caley.
  • ATL Quarterback #13
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    ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Falcons QB Cooper Rush experienced back spasms Saturday but is still expected to start in Week 1 against the Steelers.

    Rush, the team’s third quarterback that is set to start in relief of both Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr, reportedly experienced discomfort in his back on Saturday, with Schefter adding that he is still expected to start against the Steelers. We don’t know what kind of voodoo is working against the Falcons at present, but the team enters Week 1 with all kinds of uncertainty under center. Penix is presumed to be the starter once healthy, with no telling when that could be as he works his way back from a torn ACL.