5 Packers Under Pressure to Perform at Training Camp 2026
By markoldacres

MarShawn Lloyd
The injuries Lloyd has dealt with throughout the first two years of his NFL career are not his fault, and no one will have been more frustrated than him at his lack of ability to contribute.
Now though, it is put up or shut up time.
There have been positive reports regarding the Packers and Lloyd being able to diagnose the source of his recurring injury issues this offseason, so we will see if he can finally have a healthy training camp and eventually get on the field in the regular season.
With Josh Jacobs’ status still up in the air, Green Bay could really benefit from Lloyd’s presence, if the legend of his electric on-field ability proves to be true. It feels like now or never for Lloyd entering training camp.
Luke Musgrave
After a bright start to his career as a rookie, Musgrave has faded into the background following Tucker Kraft’s emergence, partly hindered by injuries of his own.
By the end of last season he was being outsnapped by John FitzPatrick, which does not bode well for his prospects of making an impact in 2026.
He can still have a role as a seam stretching tight end, complementing the other skillsets in the room, but as he heads into the last year of his rookie deal, Musgrave has a lot of work to do if he wants to avoid being an afterthought in the offense once more.
Anthony Belton
Belton deserves credit for battling through his rookie year, particularly after being thrown into the fire at right guard in the season, having not practiced there at all during the summer.
He improved as the season went on, and now enters training camp as the clubhouse leader to hold down the right guard spot permanently in 2026. There is a new challenger though in the form of rookie 5th round pick Jager Burton.
Burton had most of his success in college at center, but can play guard and got some looks with the first team offense during the offseason program. He has earned praise from the coaches who seem excited about his potential, and he has a chance to push Belton for his job.
Belton needs to bring his A-game this summer and show he is continuing to progress.
Brenton Cox Jr.
With Micah Parsons currently not in the picture, there are plenty of reps up for grabs at the outside linebacker spot. Lukas Van Ness will start, with a group of young pass rushers, headlined by Cox and Barryn Sorrell, competing for the other starting position.
Cox had some bright flashes in 2024. Former defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley sung his praises and was proven right, as Cox had 18 pressures and four sacks per PFF in just 112 pass rush reps. Unfortunately, his 2025 season was mostly derailed by injuries.
Now heading into his fourth season in the NFL, he will not get a better chance than this to make his mark.
Ty’Ron Hopper
Hopper was a controversial 3rd round pick at the time he was selected, and has not had much of an impact in his first couple of years in the league, playing only 151 defensive snaps in that time, although he did have an interception in the playoff loss to the Bears.
In Jonathan Gannon’s 3-4 scheme, there is now even less scope for him to get on the field, with only two off-ball linebackers needed on the field at most.
Edgerrin Cooper, Zaire Franklin and Isaiah McDuffie seem firmly entrenched ahead of him on the depth chart, while Nick Niemann and Kristian Welch offer value as designated special teamers.
If Hopper is to stay in the minds of the coaches and give himself a chance of developing into a real contributor for the Packers, he needs to be at the top of his game this summer.
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (3)
Zapato
July 27, 2026 at 10:19 am
Marshawn Lloyd just needs to stay healthy in order to make the 53.
I just don't see anyone in the current TE room unseating Musgrave.
Anthony Belton, with a complete offseason to learn the right guard position will be the starting right guard. Everyone seems to be pretty high on Burton, which is warranted, but I don't see him breaking into the starting line up for game 1.
I really like the competition in the defensive edge room. A lot of potential with the potential to have an impact this season. Will Brenton Cox start? Not sure, but I'm going to give the nod to Barryn Sorrell at the start of camp.
That leaves us with Tyron Hopper. This is the player who probably really needs to impress. I think he could get booted in favor of both Welch and Neimann making the team. Maybe that sounds odd, but the Packers might see the value in two special teams aces over a not-so-great backup.
GreenandBold
July 27, 2026 at 10:34 am
I would say most of the roster is under pressure during training camp . I think Valentine should feel some heat with Cisse coming in . At least I hope so .
Coldworld
July 27, 2026 at 10:44 am
I still think the issue with Musgrave is as much LaFleur not having figured out how to use him to his strengths not weaknesses as it is due to Musgrave. Honestly, were I Gute I’d probably seek to barter him for a player that’s surplus elsewhere later in preseason. He simply does not fit what we do, and while I think Whyle is a poor blocker, he’s not quite as bad as Musgrave and can run a more versatile route tree.
I am getting increasingly wary of the hype around Burton. 5th round picks are rarely a shoe in. It took Tom a year to settle into a position and he was about as good as one can get from the outset of Camp and through preseason. If Burton is close to that good then yes, let’s celebrate, but Tom is the exception not the rule. Let’s see them with pads on before bowing any more trumpets.