The Packers opened 2025 camp with high urgency. Josh Jacobs sets the tone while Bo Melton makes a stunning switch to cornerback. Get the latest from Day 1.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The pads aren't on yet, but the intensity is already palpable. The Green Bay Packers opened their 2025 training camp on Wednesday with a clear, unified message: the time for 'almost' is over. After consecutive playoff runs that ended too soon, the air at Nitschke Field felt different—charged with a veteran-led urgency and punctuated by a coaching staff willing to make bold, unexpected moves right out of the gate.
The sense of urgency with Packers is 'very high.'
It was a sentiment echoed from the top down. Head coach Matt LaFleur emphasized that success requires everyone to 'work together and continue to push one another,' while GM Brian Gutekunst spoke of the need to finally get over the hump. But it was star running back Josh Jacobs who put the bluntest point on it. 'The sense of urgency is very high,' Jacobs told the media, making it clear that the veteran leaders are setting a demanding tone from the first whistle. This isn't just about building for January; it's about building a team that can win in February.
The biggest surprise of Day 1 came in the form of a jersey number. Bo Melton, the speedy wide receiver, trotted onto the field wearing a defensive No. 16, confirming the offseason whispers of a position change. This wasn't just a tryout; Melton took reps with the first-team defense at cornerback, a stunning move that sent ripples through the fanbase. The Packers are clearly intrigued by his athleticism and are willing to get creative to bolster their secondary. Adding another layer to the defensive intrigue, former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has returned, but as a consultant to provide an 'offensive perspective' to the defense. It's a fascinating, outside-the-box approach from a team that knows it needs to find new edges.
While the veterans set the tone, the new blood provided the highlights. All eyes were on the team's new quarterbacks and receivers, and they didn't disappoint. During team drills, quarterback Malik Willis connected with first-round draft pick Matthew Golden for a crisp 8-yard touchdown, a small but promising glimpse of the future of the Packers' passing attack. The first practice was largely about installation and building chemistry, but early flashes like Golden's TD are exactly what coaches and fans want to see as the team begins to evaluate its new talent.
Day one is in the books, and the Packers have already given us plenty to talk about. The message is clear: complacency will not be tolerated, and creativity will be embraced. From the serious determination of veterans like Jacobs to the bold experiment with Melton and the promising flash from a first-round rookie, this team is attacking the 2025 season with a renewed purpose. The real tests will come when the pads go on, but the foundation laid on Wednesday suggests a fascinating and intense training camp lies ahead.
