Packers training camp is almost here!

Second year players in training camp: what to look for

How do teams improve from one year to the next? By improving their roster both from outside and within.

Barring major surprises, the free agent signings and trades are done at this point in the offseason. That is one way that teams improve, and it’s obviously the most public. It’s not the most important, however. The real improvement must happen once the team comes together for training camp on July 23rd, in seven short days.

While this side of things isn’t as visible to the public, there’s no doubt that it’s far more impactful. And this year especially, the Packers have a real opportunity to alter the makeup of their team. The team's 2024 draft class was a roller coaster, and their contributions to the season ranged widely, as many players suffered injury-riddled seasons. Jordan Morgan, Marshawn Lloyd, Kitan Oladapo, Edgerrin Cooper, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard and Tyron Hooper all missed time last season. Morgan and Lloyd were the biggest victims, especially undergoing a redshirt season in 2024. Lloyd played all of ten snaps for the Packers before suffering a litany of injuries. Morgan’s lofty expectations were derailed, and the rise of Edge Cooper was delayed. The Packers must attempt to make up for some lost time in these players’ development, particularly anyone who missed time in training camp last year (Oladapo).

There’s also a bit of an opportunity here however, for those among us who prefer a half-full cup. If players had a lost season last year, could we consider them as new “additions” to the team in 2025?

There’s certainly an argument to be made in a few cases.

On offense alone the Packers have Jordan Morgan, Marshawn Lloyd, Jacob Monk and Travis Glover. From a pure regular season snap perspective, these players are certainly “new” to the team. Training camp will be a pivotal period for the entire team, but especially for the 2024 rookie class, who have already dipped their toes into the NFL. Before we go one-by-one, it’s important to keep in mind that there is obviously one key item that will be crucial to every player at training camp: playing time In order to improve, a player has to play. And in order for a player to play, they have to earn reps. Standby while we also confirm that water is still wet. It might not be as simple as it seems, however, and this is part of the intrigue, the “behind closed doors” nature.

Not all practice reps are created equal. The nature of training camp is such that every player gets snaps. From Jordan Love to Alex Hale, and everyone in between, they will get their shot to prove that they deserve a spot on the final 53 man roster. This usually takes the form of individual drills held position group by position group, but also team practices that are divided by a player’s position on the depth chart. There’s a first team group, a second team group and a third team group. For everyone of these sophomore players, keep a close eye on which group they are practicing with, especially as training camp gets deeper and deeper, and those depth chart positions become a little more obvious.

Take a look at our outlooks for each second year player.

Three Undrafted Rookies That Can Carve Out a Roster Spot in 2025

The Green Bay Packers and undrafted rookies — they go together like peanut butter and jelly. Or perhaps you prefer lamb and tuna fish? (If you don’t get that reference, then go watch Big Daddy.)

In all seriousness, the Packers love rostering their undrafted free agents more than any other franchise in the NFL. Since the 2005 season, they have broken camp with at least one undrafted free agent on their roster. Last year, they didn’t technically break camp with one, but then proceeded to claim kicker Brayden Narveson on waivers the very next day — so for all intents and purposes, we’re counting it.

The Packers know the value that these types of players can bring to a roster: cheap talent that can help fill out the back end of the depth chart and hopefully blossom into a starter down the road. While not starters running back Emmanuel Wilson and wide receiver Malik Heath are just 2 examples of former undrafted players to play meaningful snaps for the 2024 Packers.

Usually, every season right after the draft, they bring in a large undrafted class, but this year just 10 free agents put pen to paper post-draft to come to Green Bay. A young, controllable roster has a lot to do with that, as does hitting on recent draft picks. Fewer holes to fill means fewer roster spots up for grabs. Even with just 10 undrafted players signed, there are some really good prospects coming to camp in just a few weeks.

Let’s take a look at three undrafted players that specifically caught our eye.

Packers Veterans On The Bubble in 2025

CHTV co-founder Aaron Nagler is joined by CHTV contributor Mark Oldacres to discuss his latest piece for CHTV which looks at 10 prominent Packers who could end up on the outside looking in after training camp.

Who Is Most Likely to Lead the Packers in Catches in 2025?

The Green Bay Packers enter training camp in 2025 without a clear-cut number one receiver. For the past two seasons, the team had a very young receiving corps with the players taking turns being Jordan Love’s top target depending on matchups and who was having a better game. As the team prepares to start training camp, it remains unclear who the team’s top receiver will be and who will lead the team in catches in 2025.

We took a look at the top five candidates.

Is There Room for Chris Brooks On the Packers 2025 Roster?

Running back Chris Brooks seemingly came from nowhere last season to contribute to the Packers offense. He became a reliable player as the team’s third running back and earned the praise of coaches and teammates. But as training camp approaches in 2025, there may not be room for Brooks on the team’s roster.

Brooks carried the ball 19 times for 106 yards which is a healthy 5.6-yard average. When third-round draft choice MarShawn Lloyd went down with an injury early in the season, Brooks was added to the 53-man roster. He quickly found a role because he could do one thing the coaching staff valued better than any other running back on the roster: pass protect. Brooks picked up the playbook quickly and did an excellent job of picking up stunts and pass rushers. Keeping Jordan Love upright and healthy remains a top priority for Matt LaFleur and the coaching staff.

If the Packers keep three running backs, one of the top four will have to be released. The most likely candidate would be Brooks, although his pass blocking ability may inspire GM Brian Gutekunst and LaFleur to keep a fourth running back on the 53-man roster. They could also try to sneak Brooks on the practice squad, but that means he would have to pass through waivers first and there is a chance another team would claim him. It will be up to Brooks to make the decision as difficult as possible for the team when final cuts are made in September.

A strong training camp and preseason will be critical if Brooks hopes to stay in Green Bay in 2025. He faces a real challenge to make the roster this season.

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Are Rookie NFL Contracts Too Short?

For some NFL teams, each year, that first-round draft pick could be a franchise-altering investment, especially if that team is picking first overall. Making the right choice could significantly impact the team moving forward. It could be the difference between hoisting the Lombardi trophy and remaining at the bottom of the barrel. If you made the right choice, you now have possibly the top up-and-coming player in the league. When it comes to their success, there's probably at least a year or so of a grace period before the true accolades begin to stack up.

When it comes to a rookie Quarterback that was picked first overall, you would normally just hope that they look to show some promise in their first year behind center. In their second year, you look for them to perhaps make the playoffs. Even if it's a first-round exit, the arrow is pointing up. In the third year, now is when you start to look for a deep playoff run, maybe even a Super Bowl appearance. But guess what happens after that third year? You need to decide whether or not you will be picking up the 5th-year option on that QB. In the case that the QB is doing well, it's a no-brainer, but it's a high likelihood that next year you will be paying that Quarterback a very lucrative deal.

That's when the other aspects of building a team come into play. It's possible, but very unlikely, that the team built around said Quarterback to help him get close to a Super Bowl is just a band of guys on rookie contracts and veterans on medium-sized deals. There must be some high-profile deals in there somewhere, whether it be on the defensive side or even the offensive line. Somewhere down the road, there are going to be a few cap casualties or sacrifices made to pay that Quarterback. And before you know it, you've got a high-paid quarterback leading your team to only first or second-round playoff exits each year for the next five seasons.

Why can't that bargain rookie contract be just a bit longer?