Matt Johnson
The Green Bay Packers will enter the 2026 NFL season with a roster that, when healthy, everyone in the organization believes is capable of making the Super Bowl. However, a few of the Packers’ offseason moves could also mean some recognizable names aren’t on the roster come Week 1.
Let’s dive into our list of four players who might not be on the Packrs roster at the start of the season.
Luke Musgrave, Tight End
A few years ago, it seemed as if Luke Musgrave would be the Packers’ TE1 for seasons to come. Instead, it’s Tucker Kraft who looks like an All-Pro talent. Musgrave’s standing in Green Bay got so murky that he popped up in NFL trade rumors during the season. Then, Kraft and John FitzPatrick suffered season-ending injuries. Kraft will be back for training camp, and there’s Josh Whylie behind him. It wouldn’t be at all a surprise if general manager Brian Gutekunst attempts to move Musgrave for a blocking tight end.
Brandon McManus, Kicker
It says a lot if the Packers are willing to trade multiple draft picks to move up in Round 6 to land a kicker. Brandon McManus did get a $1 million roster bonus this offseason, but his injuries last season and his misses in the wild-card round put him on the hot seat. If rookie Trey Smack can take advantage of his massive power and display relatively consistent accuracy on his kicks in training camp, McManus could absolutely be part of the final 53-man roster cutdown.
Kristian Welch, Linebacker
Green Bay certainly has a lot more depth at linebacker than it did in previous years. Unfortunately for former UDFA Kristian Welch, the Wisconsin native’s hope of sticking around in Green Bay might only be on the practice squad. He appeared in eight games for Green Bay this past season, primarily on special teams. In all likelihood, he’ll be cut and offered a spot on the practice squad in September.
MarShawn Lloyd, Running Back
Since being selected with the 88th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd has appeared in just one game with the team. Injuries have never truly allowed him to prove himself at any point. Theoretically, Lloyd would be perfect to step into the No. 2 role behind Josh Jacobs for the upcoming season. It’s just that inability to stay healthy that leads us to believe something, likely a soft-tissue injury, will sideline him during the summer. If that happens again, Green Bay might decide to cut its losses and move on.
