The Green Bay Packers held their 15th training camp practice on a sunny Monday, lasting just over two hours. Key players returned to the field, including running back Josh Jacobs, who had missed time with a groin injury, and right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele, recovering from offseason knee surgery. Jacobs had a standout 2025 season with 929 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns but had been hampered by injuries. Bako-Bewele, who signed a lucrative four-year, $88 million extension last year, had a troublesome 2025 campaign due to injuries but resumed full team drills. Other players like rookie corner Brandon Cisse, offensive lineman Darian Kinnard, and wide receivers Jayden Reed and J. Michael Sturdivant also returned to practice.

An intriguing subplot is the upcoming joint practice against the Arizona Cardinals, where brothers Matt and Mike LaFleur will face off as head coaches for the first time. Matt, in his eighth year with Green Bay, humorously described the challenges in coordinating practice schedules with his younger brother, who’s in his first year coaching Arizona. The LaFleur family is expected to attend, adding a family rivalry spice to the event. Matt LaFleur joked about stepping into the fray if the practice got too heated, showing the competitive but playful dynamic between the siblings.

Some negatives surfaced during practice, including an injury to defensive lineman Warren Brinson, who suffered a calf injury during warm-ups in Denver and is likely to miss some time. The Packers’ defensive line depth will be tested as the team heads toward trimming the roster. Additionally, practice saw late-session fights between wide receiver Matthew Golden and defensive end Barryn Sorrell, both former Texas teammates, resulting in sideline scuffles. Coach LaFleur is expected to discourage such disruptions, highlighting the balance coaches seek between competitiveness and control.

Off the field, a larger issue has emerged with recent court decisions allowing NFL players to return to college with an extra year of eligibility, altering the traditional pipeline between college and professional football. Former undrafted NFL rookie Dae'Quan Wright’s potential move from the NFL back to LSU exemplifies this trend, which has Green Bay’s management watching closely. This unusual reversal could impact roster decisions, as some players may seek release from NFL teams to pursue lucrative name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities in college. LaFleur acknowledged the novelty and complexity of this development, noting that it’s a challenging situation for teams to navigate.