Every NFL draft brings a wave of change, and for the Green Bay Packers, the 2026 class is already sending ripples through the roster. With six players selected and ten more signed as undrafted free agents, the competition for jobs is heating up. For some veterans, these newcomers could mean the difference between starting and watching from the sideline. Here are the eight Packers veterans who should be feeling the heat.
Brandon McManus, Kicker
Let’s start with the most obvious one. When you draft a specialist, it’s a big deal—there’s no room for a "developmental" kicker on a 53-man roster. The Packers traded up into the sixth round to select Trey Smack, and that move spoke volumes. McManus, who turns 35 in July and carries a relatively high salary for a kicker, cost the Packers seven crucial points in the playoff loss to Chicago. The team insists there will be a competition, but Smack is young, cheap, and under contract for four years. If the battle is even close, Smack wins by default.
Josh Myers, Center/Guard
Brian Gutekunst went out of his way to praise Monk’s performance at center in last year’s season finale against Minnesota. But drafting Jager Burton in the fifth round puts his roster spot in jeopardy. Do the Packers really need two backup offensive linemen who specialize at center and only dabble at guard? To survive cuts, Monk will need to prove he can be a reliable backup at guard—a position he’s played sparingly. With Travis Glover and John Williams returning from injury, plus post-draft additions Josh Gesky, Dillon Wade, and Dylan Barrett, the competition at guard is fierce. Burton’s arrival might be the final push that bumps Monk off the 53-man roster.
Carrington Valentine, Cornerback
Valentine is entering a contract year, and he’s coming off a disappointing finish to the 2025 season. Now, the Packers have added fresh faces in the secondary, and the depth chart is getting crowded. With the new draft class pushing for playing time, Valentine needs to bounce back quickly or risk being overtaken by younger, hungrier talent. His experience gives him an edge, but in the NFL, performance is everything—and the clock is ticking.