Questions Remain For Packers Defense

Author

Aaron Nagler
July 16, 2026

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5 Burning Questions For the Packers’ Defense

The Packers are set to kick off training camp in just under two weeks, and like every offseason, there are some questions that need answering.

It's been a busy few months at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. Plenty of roster turnover, new faces stepping into new roles, key contract extensions, fresh coaching perspectives, and even an unresolved legal situation still lingering. That's a lot to keep an eye on this summer.

This week, the focus is on the defense. There's always the usual mix of health questions, contract negotiations, and "is this the year" storylines that come with any roster — but 2026 brings its own extra layer. They have an almost entirely new defensive coaching staff, including defensive coordinator, they added several new veteran leaders, and drafted some fresh, young faces. Plenty to watch before the pads come on.

Here's the thing everyone can agree on: this defense needs to be better in 2026. The potential is there. The youth is there. All the pieces exist for this to be one of the league's best defenses when healthy — but having the pieces and putting them together aren't the same thing. That's where these questions come in. Each one plays a real role in whether this defense lives up to expectations.

So let's get into it. Here are five big questions that need answers before the Packers kick off the 2026 season.

Carry The G Radio: Players The Packers Need More From in 2026

Bill Schmid and Aaron Nagler take a closer look at the guys who need to deliver more in 2026 if Green Bay is going to take the next step toward championship contention.

Key Returning Piece: Devonte Wyatt is Needed

When Micah Parsons went down last season, the Green Bay Packers did not win another game. There was no secret to who the Packers most valuable player was on the defensive side all season, and the final 5 games of the season proved that to a noisome.

However, a similar argument can be made that the loss of Parsons was yet another gut punch to a defense already banged up and simply could not overcome the talent they no longer had accessible. That other talent resides in #95, Devonte Wyatt.

When Wyatt suffered a season-ending ankle injury on Thanksgiving in 2025, Green Bay’s record following the game was 8-3-1, in the hunt of a division crown, and top seed in the NFC. Following his injury, the Packers went 1-4 across the remainder of the 2025 regular season and postseason

When Wyatt wasn’t on the field, the Packers lost their only true interior penetrator. The ripple effect was immediate and brutal.

Packers Sign Isiah McDuffie To Extension

This past weekend, the Packers signed linebacker Isiah McDuffie to a one year extension, tying the veteran linebacker to Green Bay through the 2027 season. The one year is worth $4.8 million dollars, with around $1.5 million guaranteed, and does include a $750,000 roster bonus due if McDuffie is on the roster on the third day of the 2027 league year, which is also technically his only guaranteed money that year.

In cap terms, the deal means that McDuffie’s cap hit in 2026 increased to $4.7 million, and will raise again to $5.1million in 2027. Upon first glance, the deal appears to be a pretty standard short term extension. In fact, the extension places him as the 43rd highest paid linebackers in the NFL, in terms of APY. It places him right in between EJ Speed of the Houston Texans and Mack WIlson of the Arizona Cardinals.

McDuffie isn’t exactly a projected starter in Johnathan Gannon’s base 3-4 defense, and is expected to have to fend off a challenge from third year man Ty’Ron Hopper to even keep his current status. But he’s been a key piece of the Packers for years now. He’s been a key figure on the special teams, and was even named captain there last season. In fact, he played the most special teams snaps of his entire career in 2025, 324 snaps spread across every special teams group except the field goal kicking group.

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Packers Cornerbacks Need to Improve In This Area

The Green Bay Packers cornerback room is full of questions as training camp approaches. They lack a legitimate number one cover corner and don’t have a lot of proven NFL depth. GM Brian Gutekunst did address the cornerback position this offseason. He signed Benjamin St-Juste in free agency and selected Brandon Cisse in the second round of this year’s draft and added Domani Jackson on day three. And yet, there is one area that the cornerbacks need to improve upon which isn’t getting as much attention as it should, and it has nothing to do with their ability to cover receivers and that is tackling.

Neither of the Packers starting cornerbacks last season were particularly good tacklers. Both Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon struggled in this area. So did the now departed Nate Hobbs although injuries limited Hobbs’ playing time and effectiveness.

Many great cornerbacks have not been great tacklers. But good teams should have at least one regular cornerback who can be a reliable tackler and help defend the run. No doubt, the Packers need an upgrade in this area in 2026. We’ll see if the changes Gutekunst made this offseason help the team in this area.

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POLL: Your Expectations for the 2026 Green Bay Packers!

It's that time of year once again!

With the 2026 training camp just days away, it's time to submit your responses to our annual poll for fan expectations for the team. This is the eighth year we've done this poll and it's always fun to see what people say.

The questions stay mostly the same (with a few exceptions) every year, but the responses are always different and provide some good insight into the general mood of the fanbase heading into the new season.

Next week, we’ll return with a full breakdown of responses, and we’ll highlight some of your answers to the last few questions on the list!

What Impact Will Javon Hargrave Have on the Packers Defense in 2026?

The Green Bay Packers signed free agent defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to a two-year contract this offseason after the Minnesota Vikings let him go. The 33-year-old South Carolina State alum joins the Packers to replace the departed Colby Wooden. The Packers will need contributions from Hargrave if the defense hopes to improve this season, but what does Hargrave have left in the tank at this stage of his career and what can he contribute to the Packers defense this season?

The Packers hope Hargrave can still get some push from the interior defensive line and get some pressure on quarterbacks. His experience should also provide leadership for the younger players on the defense line like 2026 third-round pick Chris McClellan.

Veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin, who is also expected to provide experience and leadership on defense, is excited about playing with Hargrave.

“He just a smart player. He understands what's going on,” Franklin said. “But you'll find out about the D-line when the pads come on. I know that's when he's going to really let us know who he is for sure.”

The Packers have very little to lose if Hargrave struggles. They can easily get out of his contract after this season if they don’t think he’s getting the job done. While nobody expects 11 sacks this season, Hargrave can still be a solid contributor to the defense this season. If he does, the defensive line can take a step forward in 2026.

Get your copy of the 2026 Packers Yearbook!