“Should be wide open;” Green Bay Packers biggest position battle during 2026 NFL off-season
The Green Bay Packers have a variety of position battles going on this off-season. Offensively, it will be interesting to see who emerges as the backup running back behind Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs after Emanuel Wilson signed with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency. Marshawn Lloyd, a top-100 pick two years ago, has only been healthy enough to play one single game so far in his NFL career. Chris Brooks was re-signed this off-season, but is better used as a third running back.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Packers are learning the new defensive scheme of Jonathan Gannon, who replaced Jeff Hafley as the defensive coordinator. Additionally, several veterans who are returning in 2026 did not play well in 2025. This is particularly true of the cornerback room.
The Green Bay Packers need better play from their cornerbacks
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Green Bay’s incumbent cornerbacks are Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine. Over the course of the off-season, they signed Benjamin St-Juste in free agency and selected Brandon Cisse and Domani Jackson in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Bleacher Report has the position battle in Green Bay’s cornerback room named as their most important:
“The Green Bay Packers’ looming cornerback battle will be big for a couple of reasons. For one, the Packers are adapting to a new defense under new coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
“Secondly, Green Bay’s cornerback group left a bit to be desired last season. Keisean Nixon, for example, allowed an opposing passer rating of 105.1 in coverage. Carrington Valentine allowed an opposing passer rating of 121.2.
“Nickel corner Javon Bullard was marginally better, allowing an opposing passer rating of 98.3.
“This offseason, things should be wide open at cornerback for the Packers, who added Benjamin St-Juste before drafting Brandon Cisse in Round 2 and Domani Jackson in Round 6.”
As one can see from the excerpt above, neither Nixon nor Valentine were particularly good last season. Both are entering the final season of their contracts with the Packers, so the pressure is on them to earn their starting jobs again in 2026 as they will hit free agency in 2027.
But it will not be easy. Green Bay clearly was not happy with how they played last year, and it is entirely possible that the Packers have a new pair of starting corners in 2026 with the veterans serving as backups.
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