GREEN BAY – The Packers wrapped up the 2025 preseason with a 20-7 victory over the Seahawks on Saturday at Lambeau Field.
Here are five takeaways from the day.
- The healthy starters got the work the head coach wanted.
The Packers are far from full strength health-wise, but Matt LaFleur wanted the able starters to get some limited action, even against Seattle's reserves, and it worked out as planned.
The No. 1 offense's first drive ended after just three plays when QB Malik Willis, filling in for the injured Jordan Love, was intercepted on a deep ball. But the starting defense quickly got the ball back and Willis & Co. proceeded to put together a 14-play, 96-yard touchdown drive that served as the capper to training camp for the first units.
"I'm glad we did it," LaFleur said. "Hindsight's always 20-20, but I just thought in my gut, I feel like a lot of years we've come out of the preseason saying, 'Hey, I wish we would've given these guys a few more reps,' and we were able to do that for most of our guys today."
The long TD drive was highlighted by a superb 39-yard reception by rookie receiver Matthew Golden, who made a nifty adjustment around the defender to haul the ball in. Willis then converted on fourth-and-2 and third-and-7 with scrambles, and concluded the long march with a 1-yard TD pass to Romeo Doubs.
"Certainly that's one of his superpowers is his ability to get out of the pocket and create off-schedule or scramble and create big plays," LaFleur said of Willis.
"We've got a lot of confidence in Malik. I think he is just scratching the surface of what he can become, just the dual threat that he is as a quarterback. It's problematic for most defenses."
Golden certainly looks like an immediate contributor as a rookie as well, and that would probably be the case even if the receiving corps weren't all banged up.
"He can help us in any capacity that we need him to," LaFleur said. "He's a guy that, he just works the right way. He comes in with the right mentality, the right attitude and he just comes to work."
- The reserve defensive units stood out the most.
A couple of defensive reserves who are expected to play at least rotational roles this season, namely linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper and lineman Brenton Cox Jr., finished the preseason strong.
Hopper and Cox each had a sack of Seahawks rookie QB Jalen Milroe (who played the whole game), and they each forced a fumble as well. LaFleur called Hopper, a third-round draft pick in 2024, one of the team's most improved players from a year ago, and the defense-wide emphasis on forced fumbles throughout training camp showed up in a big way.
Green Bay had four fumble recoveries in all.
"That was exciting, because it finally happened," LaFleur said of getting the ball out. "That is always at the forefront of our guys' mind, and it's drilled into their head I'd say every day, and we drill it every day out on the practice field. So for those guys to make it come to fruition is exciting to see."
- Several bubble players on defense stated their case as well.
The eye-catching performances from defensive players fighting to make the roster were numerous.
Veteran linebacker Isaiah Simmons posted six solo tackles in his best preseason outing of the three, cornerback Kamal Hadden broke up multiple passes, defensive lineman Deslin Alexandre tipped a pass and recorded a sack, cornerback Kalen Kingflashed, and the list goes on.
They all contributed to keeping Seattle off the scoreboard until the fourth quarter, as the Seahawks finished the game a combined 3-for-17 on third and fourth downs.
LaFleur complimented Hadden's "sticky" coverage and credited Alexandre for his "110%" effort all the time. Both players resided on the Packers' practice squad last year and were brought back for another shot at the 53-man roster.
- The third QB battle went all the way to the wire.
After Willis left the game, QBs Sean Clifford and Taylor Elgersma traded series the rest of the way as the competition for the third quarterback spot played out.
It isn't clear whether the Packers will keep a third QB on the active roster or practice squad, but it's not likely there's room for four at the position.
Elgersma was the only one of the two to produce a touchdown in this game, on a drive that started just across midfield, and the only pass play was the score, a 3-yard TD to Will Sheppard.
Running back Emanuel Wilson ran four times for 27 yards on the drive, with receiver Mecole Hardman adding 14 rushing yards on an end-around.
Both QBs also produced field goals, but only after turnovers in Seattle territory set them up in scoring position. Late in the game, Elgersma made a couple of nifty improvised plays with shovel passes to running backs while under pressure, but otherwise there weren't many highlights in the QB play.
- Roster decisions are coming Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Packers have to be down to the league-mandated 53-man limit by 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday. Then after the waiver period expires, they can begin signing players to fill out their practice squad on Wednesday.
"Obviously a lot of decisions need to be made and this is always kind of a bittersweet time," LaFleur said. "You've got to say goodbye to a lot of guys that have busted their butt for months and months, and years. I definitely appreciate that locker room. I think we've got a great group of guys.
"We'll be excited for the guys that make it, and certainly it's always disappointing for those that don't."
