After years of maintaining a balanced offensive attack, it’s time for the Green Bay Packers and Matt LaFleur’s offensive staff to let Jordan Love air it out in 2026.
Over the last two seasons, the Packers have operated one of the more run-focused offenses in football. Last season, they ranked fifth in the NFL with a run called on 50.2 percent of offensive plays, down slightly from third in the league in 2024 at 52.3 percent.
A young, developing quarterback combined with the arrival of Josh Jacobs likely
played factors in that decision making process. After all, Jacobs was two years removed from leading the NFL in rushing before arriving in Green Bay, and he has taken on a heavy workload with 30 total touchdowns in his two years with the Packers. However, Jacobs started to show signs of wear and tear this past season, and despite ranking fifth in rush rate, the Packers ranked just 22nd in rushing DVOA.
That efficiency isn’t likely to bounce back in 2026, either. While MarShawn Lloyd is on track for his first healthy season as a backup, Jacobs is now a 28-year-old running back with over 1,800 professional carries, not to mention a potential suspension coming before the start of the regular season that would deal a major blow to Green Bay’s rushing attack.
Even if the Packers were expecting Jacobs to be ready for a bounce-back season, that shouldn’t take away from the fact that Love is ready to take charge and start ramping up Green Bay’s passing volume.
Love solidified himself as a big-play hunter with surprising efficiency in 2025, posting his best season in three years as a starter with a 101.2 passer rating, 23 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. In fact, Love was behind only Drake Maye among quarterbacks with 0.29 EPA per play (min. 200 pass attempts).
Love’s supporting cast of weapons should also give him a significant boost, provided that all of them can stay healthy. Tucker Kraft looked like the best tight end in the NFL last season before a torn ACL, but is expected to be ready to go for Week 1. Meanwhile, Christian Watson established himself as a legitimate WR1 after returning from a torn ACL last season, and Jayden Reed should be back fully healthy to take control of the slot role in the offense. Even Matthew Golden is looking to make a huge leap forward in Year 2 now that the WR room has become significantly less crowded due to the departures of Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks.
While the number of weapons has decreased in this offense, Love mentioned in training camp that the clearly defined roles for their starting receivers should help with timing and chemistry heading into 2026.
That timing and chemistry has already been flashing in training camp, but it especially did so during Family Night.
There are still questions about Green Bay’s offense, particularly on the offensive line. However, if Jordan Morgan can hold down the left tackle spot and the guard spots can get figured out, this offense has a chance to take a big leap forward in 2026.
But that doesn’t happen unless the Packers let Love air it out and put the league on notice that he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
