If I’m Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur I’m inviting a special guest to training camp this year – a motivational speaker. A self-described, “limousine-ridin', jet-flyin', kiss-stealin', wheelin'-n'-dealin' son of a gun” – that’s right, I’m calling in the “Nature Boy” – legendary, world champion professional wrestler, Ric Flair. 

Flair famously said, "to be the man, you've gotta beat the man" – and I can think of no better North Star directive for the Packers’ 2026 season than that straightforward, no excuses, no mystery concept: To be the man, you’ve gotta beat the man. 

In the three years since Jordan Love took the reins under center, the Packers have been a team of considerable potential and promise. Yet, three straight trips to the playoffs have returned only one victory. Sure, each of those losses have come with reasons/excuses – but isn’t that always the case with defeats?

In 2023, the Packers fell in San Francisco after a missed Anders Carlson kick from 41-yards left the door open for the 49ers to take the lead and win the game. In 2024, an injured and undermanned Packers team fell to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Eagles. In 2025, well, let’s not talk about 2025.

Probably I’m guilty of being overly optimistic at times, but even through these challenging seasons, I still assumed that most ball-knowers saw what I saw, that most of us were on the same page with the evaluation that these Packers were very good, even, on-the-doorstep-of-a-Championship good – and I carried that belief before the Packers went and added the Cyberdyne Systems Model 101 Cyborg, Micah Parsons.

Am I crazy? Was there any doubt that the Packers, if healthy last postseason, would have handily beaten the Bears, and likely, gone much further? 

Going into week 15 last year, the Packers were 9-3-1. At that point, only three teams in football had a better record. One of those teams, and the team with the league’s best record, the 11-2 Denver Broncos, was the Packers week 15 opponent. The Packers had those Broncos very much on the ropes, 23-14, before the season essentially imploded with devastating 2nd half injuries to Christian Watson and Parsons.

Yes, injuries are part of the game, every team has them, blah, blah, blah. But few teams have been as snake bit as these Packers. 

Fair or unfair, that lack of postseason success has generated some doubt around the team – doubt which has become an unfortunate narrative that even begs the question, “Are these guys any good?”

The post-draft power rankings seem to reflect that growing skepticism. Admittedly, I chuckle at the significance of “power rankings” which are, very scientifically, just someone’s opinion (man).

Still, these rankings do reflect some measure of popular perception, and by that measure, the Packers are more “middle of the road” than “title contender”. 

Josh Kendall at The Athletic ranked the Packers 14 – behind both the Bears (6) and Lions (13). NFL.com’s Eric Edholm ranked the Packers 16 – also behind the Bears (11) and Lions (13). Even worse, Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr ranked the Packers 20 – behind the Bears (11), Lions (18), and even the Vikings (19). The only ranking showing the Packers a modicum of respect was ESPN, which had the Packers ranked 7, ahead of the Bears (9) and Lions (11).

But even ESPN has its doubters, including Packers reporter Jason Wilde, who frequently puts both Love and GM Brian Gutekunst in the “good not great” category. Wilde has also voiced concerns about the depth of the current Packers roster, mentioning specifically the offensive and defensive line, cornerback, tight end, and linebacker.

On the flipside of Wilde’s pessimism is NFL commentator Kay Adams, who was hopeful and even bullish on the current state of the Packers. “I thought they took a major step forward last year,” said Adams. “I liked what they had going on. And I hate how the season ended for them, and I think that’s why we’re not talking about them as much. I’m not making excuses or letting them off the hook here. The way that things went, that’s not the standard. But it sort of does provide a little optimism in my eyes.”

Examining the Packers’ choices in last month’s draft suggests that Gutekunst and the Packers front office share Adams’ optimism that better days lie ahead. 

When asked about the Packers’ lack of picks in this year’s draft, Gutekunst acknowledged the desire for more picks, but qualified that by saying, “I do like our team, I like our depth, I like our roster. I do think that we have a tough team to make.” 

That posture was reflected in the Packers’ decisions to trade up twice in the draft, each time packaging two picks for one higher selection. It was very much a paint around the edges draft. Two pieces at CB, one at DT, Edge, O-line, and a Kicker – and that was it. It was almost as notable a draft for what the Packers didn’t do. Nothing at RB, WR, TE, or LB. Yes, there are some intriguing UDFA’s, but the takeaway is clear – the Packers are confident in who they have.

Perhaps it’s a misguided confidence and depth issues and/or injuries will once again be this team’s undoing. Or maybe, as Kay Adams added, “This has to be the year that they push for a Super Bowl.” To accomplish that, to finally be the man – indeed, the 2026 Packers will have to beat the man.

WOOO!