Packers 2025 camp opens with a shocker as WR Bo Melton tries cornerback. See how he, Keisean Nixon & Xavier McKinney are reshaping the post-Alexander defense.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The roar of the crowd returned to Green Bay as the Packers opened 2025 training camp, but the biggest buzz on Friday came from a surprising jersey switch. As battles rage for starting spots, the most intriguing development saw wide receiver Bo Melton flipping to the other side of the ball, taking reps with the first-team defense at cornerback in a bold move to reshape a post-Jaire Alexander secondary.
We're capable of doing some really good things, but we gotta be willing to do the work.
The departure of All-Pro corner Jaire Alexander left a massive hole, and Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley is getting creative to fill it. With Alexander now in Baltimore, Keisean Nixon has stepped up as the clear CB1. But the real story is Bo Melton. The former receiver, now sporting a green No. 16 jersey, was seen taking reps with the starters, a fascinating experiment in athleticism and versatility. His transition, alongside the competition between veteran Nate Hobbs and second-year man Carrington Valentine, signals a new, experimental era for the Packers' secondary. The safety spots are also up for grabs, with rookies Evan Williams and Javon Bullard battling to start alongside star free-agent acquisition Xavier McKinney, who led the team with 8 interceptions last year.
On offense, the mission is clear: find consistency. After a 2024 season hampered by injuries and drops, the wide receiver group is under a microscope. First-round pick Matthew Golden wasted no time making his case, hauling in an 8-yard touchdown from Malik Willis in drills and showing the playmaking ability Green Bay desperately needs. His emergence, combined with the ahead-of-schedule ACL recovery for deep threat Christian Watson and the addition of speedster Mecole Hardman, brings a new level of excitement. They'll look to support Jayden Reed, who led the team with 857 receiving yards last season, and give quarterback Jordan Love a more reliable arsenal.
The battles extend to the trenches, where the crucial left tackle position is a two-man race between rookie Jordan Morgan and incumbent Rasheed Walker. Protecting Jordan Love, who is coming off a 3,389-yard, 25-touchdown season, is paramount. The tone for these competitions was set by Head Coach Matt LaFleur, who stressed that after a 1-2 playoff record with Love, talent isn't enough. 'We gotta be willing to do the work,' he declared. Love himself echoed the sentiment, stating, 'It's definitely time.' With established leaders like running back Josh Jacobs (1,329 rushing yards in '24) and linebacker Quay Walker (102 tackles) setting the standard, the message is clear: the work starts now.
Day one of camp delivered on the promise of intrigue and intensity. From a wild position switch to a rookie touchdown, the storylines are already taking shape. The coming days will be critical in seeing if Bo Melton's defensive experiment has legs, who seizes control of the left tackle spot, and which receiver steps up to lead the pack. As Coach LaFleur said, the work is just beginning, and for a team with high aspirations, every rep counts on the road to Week 1.
