1 Packers player in danger of losing starting job after OTAs

With the Green Bay Packers officially beginning their organized team activities (OTAs), the expectation of bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown begins on the practice field. Several key storylines will be in play as the Packers look to build upon a disappointing end in 2025 NFL Wild Card, knowing their championship window is now.

The main storyline has been RB Josh Jacobs’ issues off the field as head coach Matt LaFleur has made it clear that he’ll “let the process play out.” In the interim, RB MarShawn Lloyd has been taking first-team reps as Jacobs sits out and could easily be an important figure in this offense during 2026.

Packers’ fans also have their eyes on TE Tucker Kraft, DE Micah Parsons, and OL Zach Tom as the trio continue rehabbing from their season-altering injuries. Considering how last season ended without them, the organization knows the importance of getting all three players healthy and up to game speed.

However, the Packers clearly made concerted efforts to improve several positions through free agency and through the NFL Draft. Not all starting positions will be safe and depending how OTAs and the preseason shake out, we could see a number of starting jobs at-risk or at least in close competition.

One player to watch will be starting CB Carrington Valentine who has been lining up opposite of CB Keisean Nixon during first-team reps. The pair has stepped up since the departure of Jaire Alexander, but Valentine could see stern competition through the Packers’ new additions.

The Packers focused on improving the secondary.

The Packers’ went into the offseason knowing their secondary was a strong focus area for the upcoming season. While cornerback may be the toughest position to play on the football field, the Packers saw great returns from FS Xavier McKinney and SS Evan Williams. However, they totaled the fifth-fewest interceptions (7 INT) in the NFL last season while allowing 24 passing touchdowns.

In a division like the NFL North, the Packers are constantly dealing with All-Pro receivers like Vikings’ Justin Jefferson and Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown, not to mention the slew of receiving weapons of the Chicago Bears. In order to continue being competitive in football’s toughest division, the secondary will need to make plays in aiding their defensive line, which projects as one of the best in 2026.

As a result, the leash on both Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine will be very short this season as incoming defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon will be demanding nothing short of excellence. Given all the added depth at the position as well, constant competition will be able to flourish in the DB room.

CB/DB is Green Bay’s most competitive position.

With their first pick in the 2026 draft, Green Bay selected CB Brandon Cisse out of South Carolina who was widely considered one of the best DB prospects in the draft. They also selected Alabama CB Domani Jackson, further adding to the depth of their rookie DB class. Finally, the Packers signed CB Benjamin St. Juste to a two-year deal from the Chargers as both him and Cisse are placed right behind Valentine and Nixon on the depth chart.

Given the experience and Nixon having a better year last season, we can expect him to retain the DB1 role in Green Bay. However, things get much cloudier for Carrington Valentine as he’ll have a hungry rookie in Cisse right behind him trying for his starting spot.

Given the initial reports out of Packers’ OTAs, Brandon Cisse is every bit of a starting corner that the Packers could have wished for both on and off the practice field. While it’ll take some time for him to catch up to game speed, don’t be surprised if Cisse earns the starting spot at some point of the season, especially if the secondary isn’t where Gannon wants it to be.

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