NFL expert Bill Barnwell pointed out what he considers the Green Packers’ worst mistake of the offseason, raising concerns about a roster issue that could become significant during the 2026 campaign. While the team addressed several needs through free agency and the draft, questions remain about whether the team did enough to strengthen its offensive line depth.
The Packers enter the season with confidence in their starting group, led by established veterans and young contributors who helped power one of the league’s more productive offenses. However, the concern centers on what happens if injuries strike. Green Bay did not make a major investment in experienced backup linemen during the offseason, leaving several reserve roles to younger and less proven players.
That decision stands out because offensive line depth often becomes one of the most important factors in determining a team’s success over a 17-game season. Injuries across the league routinely force teams to rely on backup linemen, and contenders with strong depth frequently navigate those challenges more effectively than teams with limited options behind their starters.
Green Bay’s front office focused much of its offseason attention on other areas of the roster. The team added talent in free agency, continued investing in its defense and sought to improve offensive weapons around quarterback Jordan Love. Those moves strengthened several positions, but they also left some observers questioning whether enough resources were devoted to reinforcing the offensive front.
NFL Analysis Highlights Green Bay Packers’ Worst Offseason Mistake
Green Bay’s failure to add new life to the offensive line was named as the team’s worst mistake during the offseason. This is detailed more in an analysis by Bill Barnwell for ESPN.
The Packers were without a first-round pick by virtue of the Parsons trade, but there’s not a lot behind the starting five, and that’s a problem. The highest-profile addition on the interior was fifth-round pick Jager Burton. Gutekunst wasn’t going to be in the market for one of the expensive young interior linemen, but the Packers could still stand to add a lineman or two as depth before Week 1.
The concern is amplified by the Packers’ ambitions entering 2026. Green Bay is viewed as a legitimate contender in the NFC, and expectations remain high after consecutive seasons of progress under head coach Matt LaFleur. For a team with championship aspirations, even a minor weakness can become magnified once injuries begin to affect the roster during the middle of the season.
Whether the decision ultimately proves costly will depend largely on the health and development of the players already in place. The Packers believe their current group can provide sufficient support if called upon, but the offensive line remains one area where uncertainty lingers. As training camp approaches, the depth behind the starters will continue to be closely monitored as one of the most important factors in Green Bay’s pursuit of a deep postseason run.
