The Green Bay Packers are currently experiencing a severe disciplinary issue on the field, leading the NFL with an average of 13 penalties and 115.5 penalty yards per game in 2026. This troubling trend places them on track to break the NFL’s all-time records for penalties and penalty yards in a single season, surpassing notorious teams like the 2011 Oakland Raiders and even the undisciplined Packers squads from the Forrest Gregg era in the mid-1980s. Despite a recent overtime win against the New York Jets, the Packers committed 14 penalties for 133 yards, demonstrating how costly these infractions have become.

Coach Matt LaFleur, now in his eighth year, has witnessed a dramatic shift since his earlier teams were among the least penalized in the league. From 2019 to 2022, Green Bay averaged 85.5 penalties per season and topped the NFL in 2021 with just 69 penalties total. However, penalties have surged since 2023, with the Packers finishing near the bottom of the league in discipline, averaging 6.3 penalties per game from 2023 to 2025. This sharp decline in focus and execution now threatens their competitiveness and overall team performance.

Quarterback Jordan Love has emphasized the urgent need to address the frequent pre-snap and alignment mistakes that stall drives and create huge setbacks. The penalties have ranged from holding, false starts, and offsides to unsportsmanlike conduct, illustrated vividly by the Packers being flagged six times in the first quarter alone against the Jets. These penalties are not just numbers—they have tangible effects, wiping out big plays like a Jordan Love touchdown run, thereby frustrating the team’s offensive rhythm and momentum.

The Packers’ penalty issues echo notorious periods in the franchise’s history but are unprecedented in their current magnitude. LaFleur openly acknowledged the severity of the problem and the importance of correcting these fundamental errors quickly. As the season progresses, whether Green Bay can regain discipline and avoid setting unwanted records will be a critical storyline for the franchise and its hopes to remain playoff contenders.