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What to watch at Packers OTAs: Contract situations, lineup decisions, WR vibes

By Matt Schneidman

What to watch at Packers OTAs: Contract situations, lineup decisions, WR vibes

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Packers reported to Lambeau Field for the start of voluntary OTAs on Tuesday, with Wednesday marking the first chance for reporters to watch the full roster practice together this offseason.

Head coach Matt LaFleur and select players will speak after practice, but let's first pinpoint some things to keep an eye on.

As has been the case for most of the offseason, cornerback Jaire Alexander's future with the only team for which he's ever played is a prominent storyline. The latest on the situation, which includes two new developments from Tuesday, can be found here. I don't expect Alexander to be on the field Wednesday, but this is the first concrete sign we have this offseason of the Packers showing interest in keeping him. Is it possible the Packers still end up releasing Alexander if they can't agree on a restructuring? Sure, but Alexander plans to attend mandatory minicamp next month even without a resolution on his future, and multiple signs point to a future with Alexander remaining in Green Bay.

ESPN reported earlier this month that offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins wasn't present at voluntary workouts because he was awaiting a new contract. Jenkins is switching from left guard, where he made two Pro Bowls, to center. That's because the Packers signed former 49ers left guard Aaron Banks in free agency and he's staying there. The report indicated that Jenkins wants a deal with more future financial stability that will protect him against a potential loss of earnings since centers make less than left guards. Will Jenkins be on the field Wednesday even if he doesn't have a reworked contract?

There have been varying levels of noise off the field surrounding three different Packers receivers over the last year. Romeo Doubs reportedly skipped two practices out of frustration over his role. Dontayvion Wicks seemingly expressed his displeasure on social media with running back Josh Jacobs saying in February that the team needed a proven No. 1 wide receiver. ESPN reported recently that Jayden Reed's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, clarified with general manager Brian Gutekunst after he drafted Matthew Golden in the first round that Reed is the Packers' No. 1 receiver (we still don't know if Reed had any involvement in that, but maybe we'll find out if Reed talks Wednesday).

How are the vibes in the receiver room, especially after the additions of Golden and Savion Williams in the first three rounds of the draft? And will either rookie be ahead of a returning wideout in the pecking order when they take the field on Wednesday?

We know Zach Tom will start at right tackle and Banks at left guard. We know Jenkins will start at center, but whoever lines up there if Jenkins doesn't practice will hint at who the Packers view as their backup center come the regular season. Rasheed Walker figures to start at left tackle, but Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur have both indicated 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan will get a legitimate shot at left tackle, too. Morgan and Sean Rhyan split snaps at right guard last season before Morgan underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, so will the Packers start Morgan at left tackle or right guard? Will there be a rotation again? Will Rhyan just play center until Jenkins returns, like he did in the playoffs after Josh Myers suffered a leg injury? And where will second-round pick Anthony Belton first line up?

Assuming Alexander isn't on the field Wednesday, that might mean Keisean Nixon and Nate Hobbs start at outside cornerback, with Carrington Valentine next up. Javon Bullard figures to get the first crack at nickel since that's where he played after Evan Williams earned a starting safety spot alongside Xavier McKinney last season. But it's also possible that Valentine starts outside and Hobbs slides inside since the Packers said the free-agent signing will play nickel, too.

That would push Bullard, the 2024 second-round pick, to the bench. If Alexander is on the field at some point this offseason or even during the regular season, that probably means he and Nixon would start outside with Hobbs inside, since Hobbs, making $12 million annually, isn't sitting on the bench. Regardless, the Packers have some interesting decisions to make regarding their secondary alignment.

We know the first three running backs after Josh Jacobs will be Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks and MarShawn Lloyd, but in what order? Lloyd, a 2024 third-round pick, was supposed to be Jacobs' backup last season but only played in one game because of multiple injuries. Wilson averaged an efficient 4.9 yards per rush on 103 carries last season and provides some enticing burst. Brooks is a solid pass protector who can make things happen with the ball in his hands, too. But the Packers drafted Lloyd in the third round for a reason and we saw his explosiveness early before he got hurt. Running backs coach Ben Sirmans said Lloyd has no limitations. He should have all the opportunity he needs to earn substantial snaps behind Jacobs in 2025.

T.J. Slaton wasn't the best pass rusher you'll ever see, but he did play more than 39 percent of the defensive snaps on the interior defensive line last season. After he signed with the Bengals in free agency, is it as simple as Karl Brooks playing more snaps (he played about 41 percent of them last season) or will Slaton's snaps be distributed among Brooks, Colby Wooden and perhaps even Georgia rookies Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse, one of the Packers' intriguing undrafted signings? The Packers must carry over their surprisingly strong run defense from 2024 to 2025, but they also must improve rushing the passer from the interior.

There isn't a competition for the Packers' starting quarterback, though some fans thought there should've been last year after Malik Willis showed out. This competition is potentially for a practice squad spot and perhaps even backup quarterback duties in 2026. The Packers signed Canadian quarterback Taylor Elgersma after he attended rookie camp on a tryout basis. He's the team's fourth quarterback for now behind Sean Clifford. Elgersma won the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy for college football in Canada last season and brings a powerful arm to Green Bay's OTAs. If he impresses enough, could he unseat Clifford and even contend for a roster spot in 2026 if Willis signs for bigger money elsewhere in free agency? The latter would seem to be a long shot, but the Packers have an interesting project on their hands, nonetheless.

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