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Packers End Up on a Naughty List

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Packers coach Matt LaFleur in May 2026
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur speaks following rookie minicamp Friday, May 1 2026, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. © Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

© Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

The NFL offseason is over, all 32 teams have transitioned to minicamp, and training camp arrives in about five weeks. And with the perk of hindsight, CBS Sports has decided that the Minnesota Vikings’ main rival, the Green Bay Packers, had the fourth-worst offseason around the sport.

It’s rare shade for Green Bay, a franchise largely known for wise decision-making.

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Packers Have Roster Questions ahead of 2026 Regular Season

Micah Parsons celebrates after the Packers defeated the Vikings at Lambeau Field. Green Bay Packers offseason
Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons celebrates after a victory over the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Parsons enjoyed the divisional win on November 23, 2025, as the Packers secured an important late-season result and the star defender continued adding impact plays to his impressive campaign. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images.

Jordan Dajani: Packers’ Offseason Was Rough

Per Dajani, the Jacksonville Jaguars took the naughty prize of the worst offseason, but the Packers weren’t far behind, three spots away.

He explained, “Green Bay has established itself as a middle-of-the-road team, and the problem is I think it got worse this offseason. Green Bay lost its most reliable wide receiver in Romeo Doubs, linebacker Quay Walker and left tackle Rasheed Walker in free agency.”

“The Packers also parted ways with cornerback Nate Hobbs and offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins, and traded pass rusher Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys and wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks to the Eagles. As far as additions go, the headliners were veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin, defensive lineman Javon Hargrave and South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse.”

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Oddsmakers expect Green Bay to finish in second place in the NFC North, narrowly losing out on the top spot to the Detroit Lions.

Dajani continued, “Then factor in that star pass rusher Micah Parsons is expected to start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, which means he will miss at least four games, and the Packers should be worried about star running back Josh Jacobs, who is facing domestic violence charges. When you look at the NFC North, the Bears are coming off their best season in more than a decade, the Lions are always going to be competitive and the Minnesota Vikings have reason for optimism with new quarterback Kyler Murray.”

“Talking heads have tried to label the Packers as sleepers in 2024 and 2025, ever since that impressive 2023 playoff run in Jordan Love’s first season as a starter. However, I feel less optimistic about Green Bay than I have in years.”

Losses Outweigh the Additions

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Dajani outlined the Packers’ additions — Franklin, Hargrave, and Cisse, among others — but the subtractions were unfortunately noteworthy.

Offloading Jenkins, Gary, Wicks, and Hobbs, in addition to Malik Willis, Quay Walker, Romeo Doubs, Kingsley Enagbare, and Emmanuel Wilson, is no small project. Green Bay even had a brief relationship with cornerback Trevon Diggs, but was not interested in prolonging it.

The Packers may find a way “not to miss” all their departures, but from a June perspective, they said goodbye to more talent than they welcomed.

Help Needed at OLB, at Least for a While

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Green Bay also needs help at outside linebacker. It’s unclear when Parsons will return — it could be October, or it could be near Thanksgiving. Parsons is such a star that it would be utterly foolish to rush him back from his torn ACL.

Lukas Van Ness waits in the tunnel before the Packers' playoff game against the Eagles. Green Bay Packers offseason
Green Bay Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness waits in the tunnel before an NFC wild-card game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Van Ness prepared for postseason action on January 12, 2025, as Green Bay opened its playoff run and the young pass rusher entered another important stage of his development. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images.

In the meantime, the Packers will rely on these EDGE defenders:

  • Lukas Van Ness
  • Barryn Sorrell
  • Dani Dennis-Sutton
  • Brenton Cox Jr.
  • Arron Mosby
  • Nyjalik Kelly
  • Dante Barnett

For a Super Bowl-contending team, that group is underwhelming, and until the Packers signed a free agent like Joey Bosa or Leonard Floyd, they’re merely hoping for the best.

The club has also been tied to Jadeveon Clowney’s free agency in the rumor mill, though every NFC North team could stand to add Clowney. It’s a summer of 2026 oddity — every NFC North squad seems to need one more pass rusher.

Packers Usually Figure It Out

If you’re a Packers fan reading this — probably not on a Vikings-themed site, right? — have no fear. Green Bay has an uncanny tendency to make the most of suspect situations, even after Aaron Rodgers left the franchise in 2023.

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Jordan Love and Co. seem to have the NFC’s seventh seed on lock, and until proven otherwise, onlookers should pencil them for a 9-8 record or better. The Packers are coached well, Love is a Top 15 passer, and the rest just falls into place.

Jordan Love throws a pass for the Packers against the Eagles in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Green Bay Packers offseason
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love drops back to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles at Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Love directed the offense on September 6, 2024, during the NFL’s international opener as Green Bay began its season and the quarterback continued his rise as the franchise’s starter. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Regarding the naughty list — all the departures and the “bad” offseason — the Super Bowl might be a long shot. It’s why Green Bay has +2200 Super Bowl odds, when a club like the Los Angeles Rams is at +550.

The Packers’ season begins in about 80 days at U.S. Bank Stadium against — you guessed it — the Vikings.


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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

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Chris Newsome urges quick turnaround for Meralco after loss

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Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings' Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings' Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.

Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco guard Chris Newsome knows the Bolts can’t afford to dwell on another setback in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup.

The veteran guard stressed the importance of moving on quickly after the Bolts fell to Barangay Ginebra, 84-75, at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.

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“We got to have short-term memory. It’s tough when you lose a game like that. We didn’t have momentum, we didn’t shoot well, it was one of those nights that you want to try and forget quickly,” he told the Inquirer.

“With a game on Sunday, that’s exactly what we have to do. We have to find a way to erase this one.”

Playing with a depleted lineup, the Bolts trailed from start to finish after falling behind, 18-10, at the end of the first quarter and never matched the Gin Kings’ intensity.

With a 2-3 card and a long break looming, Newsome hopes Meralco quickly shifts its focus to Sunday’s matchup against a surging Rain or Shine squad at Araneta Coliseum.

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“We have to stay positive in the things that we do. We have to continue to trust what we do even if it didn’t show up today,” he said.

“Things aren’t gonna go your way all the time but we have to stay strong and keep pushing forward.”



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Judo gold rush, Neeraj Chopra claims silver, Tejaswin Shankar scripts decathlon history

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Team India enjoyed a landmark ninth day at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Friday, July 31. Highlighted by a historic double gold sweep on the judo mat, a podium finish in the men’s javelin throw, and a groundbreaking medal in athletics, the Indian contingent added significantly to its collection as the Games hit their climax. Team India’s medal tally stands at 23 won medals after day 9, along with 10 guaranteed medals locked in for upcoming finals.

Here is a full breakdown of how Team India performed across venues on Day 9.


Judo: Twin Commonwealth Games golds and silver mark red-letter day for Indian combat sports

Judo - Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 - Source: GettyJudo - Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 - Source: Getty
Judo – Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 – Source: Getty

India’s judokas produced a standout performance at the venue, delivering one of the finest single-day displays in the country’s Commonwealth Games history.

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Asmita Dey scripts Golden Score drama

In the women’s 48kg final, young judoka Asmita Dey displayed remarkable resilience against Canada’s Heidi Quach. After a tight bout during regulation time, the contest moved into Golden Score overtime, where Asmita executed a decisive throw to score a Yuko and secure India’s first judo gold medal in Glasgow.

Harsh Singh doubles the gold tally

Minutes later in the men’s 60kg final, Harsh Singh completed a flawless tournament run. Taking on Australia’s Joshua Katz, Harsh remained composed before scoring a crucial point in the closing moments to bag India’s second judo gold medal of the day.

Yamini Maurya earns silver

In the women’s 57kg final, Yamini Maurya added to India’s combat medal count with a hard-fought silver medal. Yamini reached the final following an emphatic 98-second Ippon victory in her semi-final bout before falling short against England’s Acelya Toprak.


Track & field: Javelin double podium and historic decathlon medal at Commonwealth Games

Neeraj Chopra takes silver; Yash Vir Singh claims bronze

The marquee event of the evening took place at the stadium in the men’s javelin throw final. Two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra registered a season-best effort of 85.83m to claim the silver medal. Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage captured gold with a massive 89.75m throw.

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Joining Chopra on the podium was teammate Yash Vir Singh, who launched a personal best throw of 85.41m on his final attempt to snatch the bronze medal and secure a 2-3 finish for India.

Tejaswin Shankar scripts decathlon history

Multi-event athlete Tejaswin Shankar turned in a heroic two-day performance across ten grueling disciplines to claim the bronze medal in the men’s decathlon with a total of 7,976 points. Shankar’s podium finish marks India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games medal in the decathlon.


Boxing: Unbeaten semi-final sweep sends ten Indians into finals of Commonwealth Games 2026

India’s boxing squad put together a dominant session, winning all scheduled semi-final bouts to guarantee ten spots in the gold medal clashes:

  • Women’s 54kg: Preeti Pawar defeated Zambia’s Catherine Mwape via a unanimous 5-0 decision.
  • Men’s 80kg: Ankush Panghal controlled his bout against Canada’s Joshua Ofori to advance.
  • Women’s 57kg: Jaismine Lamboria notched a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) victory over Lesotho’s Rapelanf Maselela.
  • Women’s 70kg: Arundhati Chaudhary comfortably defeated Rosie Eccles of Wales.
  • Men’s 55kg: Jadumani Singh outpointed Namibia’s Philip Haoseb via unanimous decision.
  • Women’s 51kg & 60kg: Sakshi Chaudhary and Priya Ghanghas sealed victories over their respective semi-final opponents.
  • Heavyweight bouts: Lovlina Borgohain, Sachin Siwach, and Narender Berwal closed out the day with semi-final wins.

Lawn bowls and track cycling at Commonwealth Games

Here is the performance of Indian athletes at lawn bowls and track racing on day 9:

  • Lawn bowls: The men’s pairs duo of Navneet Singh and Dinesh Kumar extended their unbeaten run by defeating the Falkland Islands 2-0 in sectional play to move into the knockout rounds. In women’s singles, Nayanmoni Saikia posted a convincing 2-0 win over Zambia’s Mildred Mkandawire.
  • Track cycling: Harshveer Sekhon and Dinesh Kumar competed in the men’s 4000m individual pursuit qualification rounds but missed out on advancing to the final heat.