GREEN BAY – The Packers have conducted their first nine practices of training camp, including Saturday's Family Night, and preparation for 2025 now shifts into preseason mode, with one game each of the next three weeks before roster decisions are made.
There's still a long way to go, but plenty has happened over the last 12 days. Here's a rundown of the top 10 storylines of training camp thus far, with links to packers.com's stories in case you missed them.
- The defense is determined to force more fumbles.
Offensive players are getting the ball punched, raked and swiped at whether they're in the pile or out in the open field. The defense has a “Ball King,” a meeting-room siren, and a mandate to get the ball out a lot more than last year.
- Veteran newcomers are making their mark.
Cornerback Nate Hobbs has been a daily physical presence on the practice field, earning praise even as his style and approach have required some discussions with the coaches. Linebacker Isaiah Simmons also seems to be working his way into a role in coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defense by focusing on one spot as he learns the scheme.
- First-round draft pick Matthew Golden looks the part.
The rookie receiver is getting plenty of snaps with the first-team offense, and he's regularly making plays both underneath and downfield. His one-on-one battles with cornerback Carrington Valentine have been must-see drills, as Valentine is off to a heck of a start in camp as well.
- Safety Omar Brown is the longshot to watch.
A practice-squad holdover from last year, Brown was the star of Family Night with three interceptions, giving him a team-leading five so far in camp, one better than Valentine. At a deep and talented position, he's making as strong a big as he can for a roster spot.
- The running back position has gotten banged up.
First, MarShawn Lloyd went down with a groin injury. Then, Emanuel Wilson injured his knee. Fortunately, neither situation is considered serious, but the Packers are a bit thin at running back until those two return. Good thing, then, that Josh Jacobs came into camp feeling great.
- Elgton Jenkins is taking to his new position just fine.
Moving to center hasn't been a problem for Jenkins, who has worked his way back from a back injury and is proceeding at his new spot enthusiastically, without concern for his contract.
- The competition at left tackle is ramping up.
When Jenkins and new left guard Aaron Banks were dealing with their back ailments, Jordan Morgan was playing a lot of guard, which is where he played last season before shoulder surgery cut his rookie year short. Once those interior veterans got healthy, Morgan began taking more snaps at left tackle, his college position, as his competition with Rasheed Walker got rolling.
Walker has since missed some time with a groin injury, and the evaluations of Morgan, a 2024 first-round pick, have been as expected – plenty to like, with plays to learn from. Big picture, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich shared some interesting thoughts on what’s unfolding up front.
- Kicker Brandon McManus is on some kind of hot streak.
Unofficially, McManus has missed only one kick in camp, going 36-of-37 on everything from PATs to field goals from 50-plus yards. He's put a lot of minds at ease and in some ways has turned back to the clock for himself.
- Sterling Sharpe became the franchise's 29th Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.
The former star wide receiver gave his enshrinement speech in Canton on Saturday, and made it a memorable one.
- Zach Tom got this all started with a new contract.
On the eve of training camp, the Packers locked up their right tackle long term, and the fourth-year pro is looking ahead to bigger and better things as he enters the season much healthier than he was a year ago.
