Cory's Corner: Trial By Fire
The Packers don't get a runway of breathing room heading into 2026. Instead, one of the youngest rosters in the league gets national eyes right away.
The National Football League is not in the business of offering training wheels. If anyone in the Green Bay locker room still considered this roster a "developing" unit, the league office sent a resounding message with the release of the 2026 NFL schedule.
Maximum Exposure: The league maxed out Green Bay with six primetime games.
From coastal media hubs to broadcast boardrooms, Green Bay has officially shifted from an intriguing young project into one of the league's premier marquee attractions. The network executives aren't hiding their infatuation, and they aren't letting the Packers ease into the autumn twilight either.
They face three night games at Lambeau Field before November even hits (Falcons, Cowboys, and Panthers).
The onslaught begins in Week 3 on Thursday Night Football against Atlanta, followed by a heavyweight Sunday Night Football showdown with Dallas in Week 6, and a final October showcase against Carolina in Week 8. For a young roster, this front-loaded home slate is an absolute pressure cooker. There is no room for a quiet, low-stakes developmental phase. This young roster will have to grow up directly in front of national television audiences, accelerating their maturity or exposing vulnerabilities early.
If history is any indication, Green Bay should embrace the dark. Since head coach Matt LaFleur took over in 2019, the Packers have practically owned the night, racking up 23 prime-time victories — the second-most in the NFL over that span. They have been particularly lethal at home, boasting a dominant 10-2 prime-time record under the lights at Lambeau Field. While much of that damage was done by veteran squads, Jordan Love has seamlessly inherited the mantle, maintaining a blistering 108.2 passer rating over his last 10 prime-time starts. The lights are historically a comfort zone for this franchise, but maintaining that standard with an incredibly young roster adds an entirely new layer of difficulty.
Historically, Lambeau Field under the lights was where veteran Packers teams suffocated opponents with experience and poise. In 2026, the frozen tundra turns into a laboratory for instant maturation. When Love and his young corps of wide receivers step into the huddle during these early night games, they won't just be battling opposing secondaries—they will be fighting the unrelenting gravity of national expectations. Mistakes that used to get buried in the regional noon CT broadcast slot will now be dissected frame-by-frame by millions of viewers.
This schedule presents a distinct fork in the road for LaFleur’s squad. Pass these early tests, and the Packers establish themselves as a relentless, battle-tested contender before the winter frost even sets in. Fail to handle the heat, and the narrative shifts from “tomorrow’s champions” to a team exposed too soon. The lights are officially on in Green Bay, and there is nowhere left to hide.
Love will be the most tenured player on the Packers next year and he has to show it right away. There is no time for bad reads or miscommunication.
If the Packers get out to their normal slog of a start, it will hit differently because of all the national eyes.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (23)
Guam
May 16, 2026 at 08:00 am
Interesting article in the Wisconsin State Journal this morning talking about the Packer TE room including an interview with the position coach. The article started with a quote from Gute that said the Packers wanted to add a Y TE during the draft but there weren't many guys that filled that slot in the draft this year. Went on to say the Gute is still looking and hopeful they might be able to get a veteran Y TE before the season starts. The Packer FO is clearly aware of the shortfall in the TE room.
The position coach was asked for a comment about Musgrave and he replied "practice habits" and then went on to imply Musgrave needs to develop better practice habits to fulfill his promise. I found that to be a surprising revelation that a rising fourth year player hasn't learned to apply himself properly in practice yet. Certainly explains in part why he hasn't lived up to his second round draft status.
Really sad to see a young man with a huge opportunity in front of him and he isn't willing to work diligently enough to seize it.
Regarding Cory's article, I want to see the Packers play a full season for the first time in four years. The Packers have started slow and finished strong or vice versa under LaFLeur over the last four seasons. How about a complete season for a real change?????
golfpacker61
May 16, 2026 at 08:38 am
Speaking of adding a Y TE Guam, has anyone heard why Luke Lachey failed his physical with GB this week. He at least looked like he could fill the spot, cheaply to boot.
Musgrave is a huge disappointment/failure, but it really shouldn't be much of a surprise. He was drafted strictly on potential because he sure didn't have any production in college. Add in the fact he was hurt so much as well. At least we hit on 1 TE that draft, Tucker Kraft.
It is sad to see a player not take advantage of a huge opportunity. We should see if Dallas wants to make a "change of scenery" trade. They are tired of their 2nd round TE from 2023 and so are we. Offer Musgrave for Luke Schoonmaker, player for player. At the very least we would have our Y TE that we badly need. Schoonmaker is 6'6 260 and runs low 4.6s. If that trade fails, offer a 7th round pick.
Guam
May 16, 2026 at 09:06 am
Teams never really disclose why a player failed a physical due to HIPPA requirements and Lachey is no exception. I have seen nothing in the way of an explanation other than he failed.
I know little of Schoonmaker, but the Packers certainly have enough receiving TEs without Musgrave that the swap could fill a hole for the Packers. The Packers will have a plethora of day three draft picks next season due to comp picks so I would have no problem with the Packers swapping a pick for a legitimate Y TE, whether Schoonmaker or someone else.
jannesbjornson
May 16, 2026 at 02:38 pm
Bottom line, Musgrave was over-drafted. He was a Rd Three guy, maybe lower because of his injuries in college. He was stiff legged in college, but could gain speed, gliding on the seam routes, essentially a three-route guy. We saw him struggle going laterally and trying to command the hook zones, stop and go stuff. Gutedkunst was very lucky Kraft fell into Rd Three to save this draft. I thought Schoonmaker would be a Rd 3 target, but Jerry's kid took him Rd Two. Roush was the guy in this draft and the Bears were smart to snag him.
He should have gone higher in the order. Gutey had to use a Two pick for Cisse, because he ignored the position in the 2025 draft, making believe Valentine is a viable perimeter protector. He had to watch the run on TEs again this year through round three. The queens drafted Bredeson, but he's more of a Fullback replacement for Ham; one of the last of the hard-core, true grit players.
dobber
May 16, 2026 at 04:16 pm
"Gutey had to use a Two pick for Cisse, because he ignored the position in the 2025 draft, making believe Valentine is a viable perimeter protector."
I'd argue that in 2024, he gambled that a healthy Stokes and Alexander would hold up the CB room...then in 2025 that Hobbs could transition like Nixon into a viable zone CB. If he would have been right, he looks like money. He wasn't right. I agree that he needed a CB at least in 2025.
jannesbjornson
May 17, 2026 at 03:53 pm
He could not move Jaire in a trade and the guy wasn't showing up in 2024, but on the injury list. Hobbs was always a slot guy for the Raiders and he carried an injury risk label to a predictive result. Not snagging a guy in Rd Two, then using the three pick on Williams was questionable.
HarryHodag
May 16, 2026 at 08:20 am
The national sports media dopes talk about the four game ramp up to start the year before Micah Parsons returns. It's all based on last year. The NFL changes every year and last year's losers can quickly turn into this year's contenders. New England is a prime example.
There are no weak sisters just some teams that are better than others. "Any Given Sunday" is the mantra.
Starrbrite
May 18, 2026 at 05:54 pm
Right Harry—exactly!
Spock
May 16, 2026 at 08:29 am
Really? Back with the "incredibly young roster" talk?! Give me a break. The difference between "young" and "old" rosters in the NFL is, what, something like 5 years? It's a SCHEDULE. That's it. The NFL put in their algorithm and this it what it spat out. Did the algorithm contain data on TV ratings? Damn straight it did. The schedule has one purpose: to make the NFL money. To assign any other meaning to it is silly.
TKWorldWide
May 16, 2026 at 08:45 am
Spock bringing the heat!! 😊🏈
LeotisHarris
May 16, 2026 at 10:53 am
Vulcans, ya know? Straight shooters one and all.
Since'75
May 16, 2026 at 10:24 am
Damn straight TK!!
I read Spocks post. and all i could think of is YEA!!!
Folks round here don't always appreciate having the truth smacking them in the face.
Confidence comes from knowing the truth, and speaking it.
Not always well received....lol
I know two people here that could care less.
Well done Spock!! 👍💯
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In actual averages. concerning team age. I think a gap of about 2 years+/-, classifies a team more towards the middle of the pack.
Since'61
May 16, 2026 at 08:42 am
I'm not concerned with the prime time games except for the 2 Thursday night games and the Friday Christmas Day game. I don't like the short weeks for preparation and for the lack of players' time to recover from their previous game. As has been discussed on other threads the Christmas Day game is completely unnecessary. That game can easily be played on either Saturday or Sunday without disturbing families on Christmas Day.
It's all another example of the league's lack of care for the players or the fans. Thanks, Since '61
Since'75
May 16, 2026 at 10:57 am
Hell, i like NFL games on Thanksgiving and Xmas in general.
The Packers playing, is just a bonus.
Since'61
May 16, 2026 at 05:00 pm
I thinks that's great for those who enjoy games on the holidays. Those are family days for my wife and I with our children and grandchildren. I prefer to enjoy the holidays for the family time they provide and Packers games separately. I'm the only one who is a sports fan in my immediate family. My son never really got into sports and my daughter's husband doesn't pay attention to sports either. MY oldest grandchild will be 7 during the upcoming NFL season so it's too soon for him to get into it. Our other 3 grandchildren are all younger.
In any case I will tape the Packers games on those days and watch them a day or two after the holiday when I can focus on and enjoy the game for the game. I have never enjoyed the Packers playing on Thanksgiving because I'm still reminded of the Packers losing to the Lions badly on Thanksgiving day in 1962. I still contend that if the Lombardi Packers had a full week to prepare for that game the Packers would have won and they would have gone on to an undefeated 14-0 season instead of 13-1. After defeating the Giants in the NFL championship Game they would have been 15-0 and undefeated NFL champs but that Thanksgiving Day game ruined it.
In any case to each their own and hopefully the Packers win their games whenever they play and whoever they play against. Thanks, Since '61
Since'75
May 16, 2026 at 06:02 pm
Yea, gotta do what's right for you 61.
My family is 60% die hard sports fans. the other 40% is the women and some younger kids, who pretend to be fans, and that's cool too.
In my family, the only way football wouldn't be on the tv during the holidays, is if somebody died the day before, or that morning.
And even then, it might still be on. 🤷♂️
I always said, i was born a Packer fan, basically because my family was, and extended family.
Multiple season ticket holders from back in the 60's, the whole deal, and all that goes with it.
I don't know about the 1962 game as i wasn't born yet.
But...if i may, i would consider letting that go.... 😲
I let the NFCCG against Seattle go....well, sort of anyway 😠
SicSemperTyrannis
May 16, 2026 at 10:11 am
The "young team" idea is now mixed; not entirely behind GB at #5 youngest roster currently. #9 & 11 are both past their rookie contracts now. #0 is a first round pick starting year 2. You can call Savion Williams new, with almost 0 snaps in his first year. Even his biggest possible "breakout year" will be limited to #4 assuming no season ending injury to the other 3, and no roster upsets from anyone else. Sheppard and Sturdivant at 6'3" with Neyor at 6'4" are both young and unknown, but as exciting as they may be as prospects we don't expect to see them past preseason.
The OL has some faces that are new to us in terms of playing time at their expected position this season, but even depth is getting into at least second and third year. If rookie Jager gets more than a cameo appearance in the regular season that will be surprising. Monk is no longer a new or young player, just almost no playing time yet but in his third year you'd expect him to be ahead on the depth chart.
Edge rushers aren't especially young, with only one rookie expected to get significant snaps as a rotational piece. Sorrell and Oliver are only entering their second year, but at least did get some playing time so are not complete unknowns. The other 3 have 4 or 6 years in the league each, as does Mosby who seems destined for ST only.
D line isn't especially young, with only Brinson and Stackhouse as second year players not exactly exploding into major roles.
Our CB room will hopefully get major contributions from 2 rookies, with actual expectations from our second round pick still up in the air.
I think it's time to stop thinking this is an especially young team, and hopefully that translates into more wins. 10 - 13 would be a good showing for Gutey's team building efforts, with of course playoff wins (plural!) being what matters.
GPG!
Since'75
May 16, 2026 at 10:53 am
"..... with of course, playoff wins (plural!) being what matters."
Preach 👍
Since'75
May 16, 2026 at 10:43 am
".....one of the league's premier marquee attractions."
I don't care what anyone says, i've always believed the Packers are America's team, and always will.
*****
".......and the Packers establish themselves as a relentless, battle-tested contender before the winter frost even sets in."
Battle tested contender?...hmmmmm
How about, the Packers get past the wild card round, maybe even get to the NFCCG, THEN, lets talk about contender status.
The GM saying...It's time to win Championships, doesn't make you a contender.
The playoffs are designed to remove the 'pretenders', from the 'contenders'.
I can't be the first that said that.
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".....one of the youngest rosters in the league gets national eyes right away. "
Is this something new?
From around 93/94..the Packers have had NFL National attention.
3 decades of two HOF QB's, 2 SB wins, 7 time MVP's will put a team in the National spotlight.
They still have national attention now. despite not winning the Division, or going deep in the playoffs post Rodgers.
The National attention they are getting now, is residual, from the 3 decades.
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The Packers, writers, fans...can gloat about a 100 things until the cows come home.
The bottom line?
It's time to win something!!
Starrbrite
May 18, 2026 at 05:58 pm
America’s Team—absolutely ‘75–BAM!
splitpea1
May 16, 2026 at 11:40 am
I don't get the logic here. The schedule isn't too tough to begin with and there are a number of home games on the back end. The bye week is a little past the midpoint of the season. The Packers are young, but that's always the case. And you want them to establish their own runway in December so they can gain momentum for the playoffs, something they haven't done for the past couple of seasons.
Alberta_Packer
May 16, 2026 at 11:46 am
Premature talking about one of the youngest rosters in the League. More relevant next year with the Packers glut of draft picks.
Packerpasty
May 16, 2026 at 09:02 pm
Young, youngest, developing,,,,bah, heard that for enough seasons now...if anything it should be a good thing not an excuse....the real key to a successful season is MLF....can he develop himself?? five loses to end a year isn't a good look for anyone..