POLL: Your Expectations for the 2026 Green Bay Packers!
Contribute to our annual fan exepctations survey!
By TimBackes
It's that time of year once again!
With the 2026 training camp just days away, it's time to submit your responses to my annual poll for fan expectations for the team. This is the eighth year I've done this poll and it's always fun to see what people say.
The questions stay mostly the same (with a few exceptions) every year, but the responses are always different and provide some good insight into the general mood of the fanbase heading into the new season.
The link to take the survey is here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvlch8fRnje_gZjDwyuXZFaRMAmdiV...
Next week, I will return with a full breakdown of responses, and will highlight some of your answers to the last few questions on the list.
If you're interested in reading past years' responses, take a look:
- 2025: https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/survey-results-your-expectations-for-the-2...
- 2024: https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/survey-results-your-expectations-for-the-2...
- 2023: https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/survey-results-your-expectations-for-the-2...
- 2022: https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/survey-results-your-expectations-for-the-2...
- 2021: https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/survey-results-your-expectations-for-the-2...
- 2020: https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/survey-results-your-expectations-for-the-2...
- 2019: https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/survey-results-your-expectations-for-the-2...
- 2018: https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/survey-results-are-in-revealing-your-expec...
Please participate and spread the word widely! Looking forward to seeing the responses.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
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Tim Backes is a lifelong Packer fan and a contributor to CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter @timbackes for his Packer takes, random musings and Untappd beer check-ins.
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Comments (35)
Turophile
July 15, 2026 at 03:11 pm
The wording is important. Expectation is not the same as hope, or dream.
My expectation is we make the playoffs and not as the 7th seed.
My hope is that we at least contest for the NFC championship spot
My dream is, what else, the Lombardi....
SicSemperTyrannis
July 15, 2026 at 04:59 pm
Well put.
Right now I can't be optimistic enough to say I actually expect making the playoffs as better than the 7th seed, or even at all. There are several rooms that can still go south that we can only hope are resolved by TC. If RB CB and EDGE prove to be fine as-is, and Gutey prioritizes acquiring a Mercedes Lewis clone, that would be very different from what we know today. That would still leave the only proven plus quality production on our O line coming from Zach Tom, returning from a major knee injury.
Is it possible that all these variables work in our favor? Sure! And I hope they do ...
GPG!
Coldworld
July 15, 2026 at 05:26 pm
An excellent point. I responded with what I anticipated will be the outcome before we hit camp. Whether I think that is adequate is not a question I was asked in the wording of the a tusks questions and thus not addressed.
As far as expectation of performance, I think anything less than a division win and making it to the conference game will require either critical injuries in volume or to Love else we will necessitate the break up the Lambeau fraternity, not suggest it. It’s put up or shut up time in season 8 of the troika. Unfortunately, that’s the outcome I expect.
Since'61
July 15, 2026 at 04:27 pm
It's too early to make predications. I prefer to wait for the week between the end of the pre-season and regular season Week 1.
Assuming that the Packers make it to Week 1 without injuries and remain relatively healthy throughout the season I think the Packers will reach the playoffs. Whether they go in as a wild card or as the winner of the North will depend on when Parsons returns from his ACL injury. The sooner the better for the Packers chances to win the division. The Packers should at least make it to the divisional round this season. More than that will be an excellent season IMO.
Having said that we also need MLF to improve his pre game preparations and in his in game decision making. He needs to prepare the Packers to put opponents away and play a full 60 minutes of football. Discipline the team to mitigate stupid penalties and he needs to work on time management specifically. In addition the defense needs to adapt to Gannon's new defense as quickly as possible, make stops and get off the field.
Numerous questions need to be answered during TC and the pre-season rather than lingering on deep into the season. MLF, get it done or get gone.
Thanks, Since '61
Turophile
July 15, 2026 at 05:39 pm
Since'61, "Having said that we also need MLF to improve his pre game preparations and in his in game decision making. "
LaFleur is, for me, one of the more innovative coaches in the NFL. People whose opinion I respect, like Kollman and Snyder (Bootleg Football) rate MLF as one of the best innovators and playcallers, changing his approach year on year. Many on this site will not like that, but both Kollman and Snyder are very clued in and they both think that..... and famously, neither of them even like the Packers.
However, the one criticism I do have, is not his gameplan going into a game, but his in-game adjustments. Sometimes he seems slow to change from his original plan, especially when the opposition change what they do after half-time. Another way of saying that, is that he is better at strategy than tactics.
SicSemperTyrannis
July 15, 2026 at 07:16 pm
Yup. In game adjustment has been one of his "opportunities for improvement." Same with time management and coach's challenges. Player development, evaluation and utilization falls on the HC and this belongs in the same bucket IMHO, while being a little better.
Hopefully there's some chemistry amongst our coaching staff that will prevent getting out coached in so many games, but sheer player execution is a factor, too.
Since'61
July 15, 2026 at 09:35 pm
Turophile I agree that MLF is probably better at strategy than he is at tactics. That being the case it contradicts Kollman and Snyder (who I don't know) rating him as one of the best play callers since Play calls are the tactics for executing his strategy.
I have felt that since Rodgers left the Packers MLf tries to play the percentages with his play calls. When the Packers have the lead he tries to shorten the game with conservative play calls rather than continuing the game plan which enabled the Packers to build their lead. IMO He needs to put the game in Love's hands and call plays that will get the ball to the Packers skill players especially Watson and Kraft when they are healthy. Our OL is stronger at pass blocking so he should use the pass to set up the run. That would work better for Jacobs and enable the Packers to move the chains more effectively.
The Packers have the skill players to put pressure on the defense for an entire game and that is what they should do. Trying to shorten the game is fine but scoring more points provides a better chance for winning the game. Bottom line is that the game is about points. Score more to win more. Thanks, Since '61
Coldworld
July 16, 2026 at 10:51 am
LaFleur’s strategy is his best asset? If the definition of strategy is “ the science and art of leadership exercised in a way that provides decisive advantage over and above the forces at one’s disposal in isolation.”
I hardly think that is LaFleur as we’ve experienced over his tenure. Effective strategy is one that tilts the field when it matters and overcomes odds either to snatch victory from defeat or to secure victory at less cost than would otherwise be the case.
In reality, LaFleur has not designed a novel offense, he’s adapted one from his tree. It’s not been radically different than any other or notably effective other than when Rodgers was having MVP seasons and essentially amending it to his liking. It’s also having the right players playing, in the optimal positions and putting in place coaches most likely to provide the detailed guidance to get to the end goal.
Offensive design is strategic, be it formation and route designs or run/pass balance based on the strengths of your team. So is planning alternative options in advance should opponents nullify a particular strength, weather in the end if a key injury strikes. These give a fast and prepared option should tactical reality change the equation.
Play calling is simply the tactical realization by a play caller of the overall plan. LaFleur, as you point out, has had significant issues with that. What he is good at is designing individual plays and wrinkles. That’s valuable, but alone it won’t make a OC great, let alone a head coach. If anything it just increases his tactical armory, but even then it relies on them being effectively prepared and timely employed.
The time to sugar coat is over. We are 7 years in. We have had well over a hundred games and complete roster change, yet the outcomes are similar and at the strategic and tactical level, yet still pundits call him innovative.
Do they watch? In reality he’s much closer to the man who didn’t see the wisdom in using Derek Henry till essentially instructed to (and was likely going to be let go), who couldn’t win with Rodgers and, in the eyes of many, is now underusing Love and the pass game as well.
That’s no savant, tactically or strategically. That’s a guy who got appointed beyond his ability and about whom a myth was constructed by Murphy and the acolyte media and because he’s good in TV and in front of the media. There is nothing in his record that substantiates these lingering canards.
The one hope was that he could learn while in office. So far though, as you point out, what we see is history repeating in eerily similar ways, strategically and tactically, off field and on and in games and beforehand. If this season isn’t when he sheds his down and becomes the majestic swan promised, it has to be his last.
It’s time to face the increasingly plain record and finally heed its lessons, not hope away more careers persuading ourselves that the unpalatable hasn’t unfolded or making others feel better for doing so with no tangible basis to back that. That’s bad Policy, and that kills hope more decisively than cutting out the root of fallacies.
Since'61
July 16, 2026 at 11:51 am
Excellent post Coldworld. We have both been making similar comments about MLF since the end of the 2025 season. Thanks, Since ‘61
SicSemperTyrannis
July 15, 2026 at 05:08 pm
Re: Micah Parsons' return: it's amazing how many pundits have taken his statement about the 9 months off policy and turned that into "missing half the season." Barring further setbacks, he can begin practicing the last couple days of September, and possibly play against the Cowboys in week 6, presumably on a snap count. If not that does not automatically mean he also misses more games.
I hope they both ramp up his snap count more gradually this season and don't have him carrying 90% of the load for multiple games in a row like he did before injury last season, and more importantly I hope our best 4 in the room not named Micah play so well that it's ok if he doesn't :)
Leatherhead
July 15, 2026 at 07:30 pm
I've heard so much stuff on him that I don't know what to believe anymore. My best guess is he'll miss the first four games.
Personally, I'd much rather have him around at the end of the season than the beginning. I've seen many times where you could be at .500 by Thanksgiving and then put it together in the stretch run. The 2016 Packers would be a good example, and I'm sure we can all think of others.
I want all of our main dogs healthy-ish and on the field during that stretch run. I think having him on the field in December/January against the Lions is more important than having him on the field against the Cowboys.
mrtundra
July 16, 2026 at 06:45 am
I really hate it that Micah won't be around for the vikings game, in week 1. However, I feel it would be better if he played later in the season, as well. Nice to have a solid pass rush, in time for the play offs.
Snap the ball
July 15, 2026 at 06:54 pm
Time to win the Division
We haven’t done that since Dec19th. 2021
Time to put on the big boy pants.
Or we are pretenders …..
No reason not to win the division for next 3 years.
SicSemperTyrannis
July 15, 2026 at 07:18 pm
Would be nice but the North is ultra competitive right now. Nobody would be that shocked if all 4 teams go 3-3 in the division.
Leatherhead
July 15, 2026 at 07:21 pm
I expect that we'll win more than we lose. I expect that over half our plays on offense go to either the RB or to Kraft. I expect Love will run the offense well when he's protected. I expect our skill position players to "make some plays" that show up on ESPN.
I expect our defense to be pretty good this year. Many of these guys are entering their third training camp together: McKinney, Williams, Bullard, Nixon ,Valentine, Cooper, McDuffie, Hopper, VanNess, Brooks, Wyatt.
We've also brought in some good veterans like Parsons and St. Juste and Franklin and Hargrave. These guys SHOULD know how to play together, and I think it will show. An average offense is going to have trouble getting to 20 on us.
I expect that MLF will climb to about #25 on the list of "games over .500" That would put him just behind Chuck Noll, George Seifert, and Mike Holmgren. Lombardi and McCarthy are tied at +62 and LaFleur is +36 and another +6 season would put him at +42, same as Bill Parcells.
Coldworld
July 16, 2026 at 12:13 pm
So I looked up LaFleurs win loss record since 2022. It’s the 11th best of currently active coaches at .582. Seems pretty good doesn’t it? Then I looked up how many current coaches have been Head Coaches since 2022 or before. The answer is 12!
I looked up the divisional win loss records for the NFL norths’ head coaches in same time period. After all these guys know each other’s teams and traits best.
Johnson .647
Campbell .625
O’Connell .542
LaFleur .458
He has won more than the ex HC Eberflus .292
At some point the welter of reality must overwhelm even you. LaFleur has, at best, been average. And his best claim to that is the period where Rodgers was still a major part of shaping what happened on and off the field. That’s sliding towards ancient history for a coach now as well.
Leatherhead
July 16, 2026 at 06:05 pm
You can cherry pick as much as you want to prove whatever point you want.
Since he came into the league in 2019, he's been one of the most successful coaches in NFL history. You just can't accept that. It has to be because of Rodgers, in your view.
So you'll include samples that contain the worst of LaFleur and the best of Campbell and make your declarations on that. Fine. Go ahead. But I don't buy it.
In two years, assuming 11-6 records both seasons, he'd be in the top 50 of all time. He'd be in the top 25 in games over .500 He is 16th ALL TIME win percentage!! That's AVERAGE??
I'll bet you a cold can of Pabst that LaFleur ends up in the HOF, just like McCarthy, Holmgren, Lombardi and Lambeau.
Coldworld
July 17, 2026 at 01:49 pm
I’m not cherry picking. I’m talking about the last 4 seasons and within our division. As to the Hall of Fame. MM was a genuinely standout coach till the early mid teens. Maybe he gets there eventually. As to LaFleur, if he does it’s sure as anything it’s not for what he’s achieved here. In all metrics he has declined not progressed. He hasn’t won a division title since 2021 and Rodgers last good year and he has, I believe, a one and three playoff record in that time. He’s only 3 and 6 even including Rodgers’ time. That’s not Hall of Fame worthy, not even close.
Snap the ball
July 15, 2026 at 07:23 pm
I expect Love improved on his rolling out and throwing. To the left and right. Especially to the left.
He needs to skid
I expect MLF to have better angles on passing plays
I expect Banks to be healthy
I expect Burton to play right away
I expect Lloyd to actually play
I expect our kicking game to be better
I expect our return game to be better
I expect Golden to be better
I expect Van Restless to play better
I expect Williams X ano Bullard to be ALL PRO
I expect Cooooopppper to be All Pro.
I expect MLF to have up tempo offense
I expect to win all home games
I expect Kraft to be All Pro without a big head.
I expect Hargrove to play great in the playoff
I expect Morgan to play well
I expect Tom to be All Pro
I expect Watson to have 14 plus TDs
I expect Daniel to be the best punter in the league
I expect this team winning the Super Bowl
bjb2012sime
July 15, 2026 at 08:49 pm
Rumor has it MLF made a clandestine cameo appearance as the England World Cup team’s head coach/manager; another late game collapse by shriveling up. MLF teams have been average ever since ARod left. Roster additions are less than the roster gains, so my expectations are at best another 9-8 season and maybe that old familiar 7th seed. I truly hope I’m wrong but am not sporting Green and Gold beer goggles.
Turophile
July 16, 2026 at 05:11 am
I pushed all my chips in with the response to who will be the most influential player outside of J.Love. Avoiding the most obvious choices, like Golden, Kraft, Parsons, I chose Marshawn Lloyd.
If I had the choice of most influential position group, it would be between the O line and D line. I'd go with O line.
PackEyedOptimist
July 16, 2026 at 06:29 am
"Expectations are the thief of joy." (sic) That said...
PackEyedOptimist's expectations:
The Packer's offense will be a consistent force (when Love is healthy);
opposing defenses will hate having to play us.
Tucker Kraft will come back at full power and dominate opponents.
Jordan Morgan will be a very solid OLT and Jager Burton will get starts.
Marshawn Lloyd will be a revelation who amazes fans on some plays.
The pass rush will be very good without Parsons, and GREAT when he returns; this will be largely due to Wyatt, Hargrave, Cooper, and more safety blitzes.
Franklin, Hargrave, St Juste, and Cisse will all be better than the previous players.
PackEyed Pessimist's Expectations:
Lloyd will have several key fumbles.
Golden and Reed will both miss significant amounts of time with injuries.
Love will miss multiple games with injuries, and Tyrod Taylor won't win any of them.
Aaron Banks will miss a bunch of time with nagging injuries. (Jager replaces him)
Anthony Belton won't improve.
Zach Tom will be in and out.
Parsons will re-injure himself
Opposing tight ends will continue to feast.
Savage57
July 16, 2026 at 06:37 am
This season is going to be like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get.
New DC. Coach who's trying to get over the hump. QB1 doing the same. Lots of new faces being asked to game up. A stronger division.
Rather than try to guess, I'm going to be content to just watch this one play out and see whether I get a piece I like.
Lphill
July 16, 2026 at 06:48 am
A healthy Packers team can achieve greatness, too many key players went down last season with injuries, I think edge is just fine until Parsons returns, which will be the icing on the cake .
NFLfan
July 16, 2026 at 08:08 am
Other teams know the Packers have a weaker Pass Rush until Parsons returns which could be devastating. Wyatt is not on the field often enough and LVN is in his 4th year. Neither are living up to their draft status.
The other problem is the O-Line.Why do we think the return of the same players will change anything? If they remain as weak as they were last year, it will be difficult for Love, the WRs and RB's to do much of anything. I think the Packers will be worse than last year. Likely 7-8 wins. I think they are in a steady decline with the current HC, GM and President-
Lphill
July 17, 2026 at 06:35 am
how will the Bears do this season?
stockholder
July 16, 2026 at 08:26 am
With the randomness of injuries, turn -over, and with league built parity.
I refuse to expect too much!
Seriously; to keep from getting an emotional whiplash.
I can only say expectations be damed.
The perfect season doesn’t exist.
Unrealistic standards will only cause disappointment.
Every year I only hope they can elevate their game.
The pause and reassess is never more apparent than this year.
Practical goals prevent disappointment.
WD
July 16, 2026 at 09:07 am
The preseason is a time where all teams in the NFL suffer from delusions of grandeur. In My case it is Packer delusional syndrome. That said IF.......
the Packer's can keep their super stars healthy; we win the division.
Realistically, the Rams (according to ESPN) seem to be the outside favorite to win it all.
ko40489
July 16, 2026 at 09:48 am
I expect deja vu all over again. More of the same. Gutekunst and Lafleur keep using the same script so how can we expect different results. Competitive and entertaining, but not elite and inspiring.
Oxymoron 3339
July 16, 2026 at 10:55 am
I actually think we win the division without really being much better than we were last year. Lions and Bears regress and the Queens contend with us.
We get past WC round but lose in divisional round. Half of us will think it’s Gute’s fault and the other half blames ML.
YouAskedForThis
July 16, 2026 at 05:53 pm
“ Half of us will think it’s Gute’s fault and the other half blames ML.”
Well played. Best humor is that which is based on the truth.
I like this roster, including the vet FA additions and liked the draft. Should get quite a lift from the guys coming back from injury. I just don’t trust LaFleur at crunch time. Maybe he elevates out of the Marty Schottenhiemer redux.
HarryHodag
July 17, 2026 at 11:43 am
The key this season is for the defense to pick up the slack with Parsons out the first half of the season and to become a dominating force.
The offense has many good players but injuries will wreak havoc on the offense again. You simply have to expect it given past seasons.
The Packers MUST be sure about the kicking game. There's going to be many nail biters this season. If McManus had been perfect last season the outcome might have been very different. Special teams in general have to improve. How about a special teams touchdown?
Leatherhead
July 17, 2026 at 12:28 pm
The key this season is for the offensive line to protect Love and make holes for the RB. If we score the kind of points that we should, the defense shouldn't have to dominate. Last season, prior to Parson's injury, most teams we played had a hard time getting past 24, and over half of them couldn't get past 20. That's plenty good enough to win if the offense does their job, even if the Kicker misses.
I actually do expect the defense is going to be pretty good this year. These guys have had a lot of practice and game action together. These vets like Hargrave and St. Juste and Franklin will be a stabilizing presence. We have some legitimately very good players on defense, like McKinney, Cooper, and Parsons.
We only lost 1 game last year where we scored 27 or more, and that was the playoff game. During the regular season we were 8-0-1 when we hit 27 or more. We were 0-5 when we scored 16 or less.
I think the key is scoring more points, more consistently.
Leatherhead
July 17, 2026 at 12:49 pm
I have some good news that I saw, and I'll post it here.
PFN (not PFF) has a metric they call Offensive Impact, and when they rated the passing offenses, we ended
in the Top 5 along with Rams, Seahawks, 49ers, and Patriots. That's pretty good company. We don't take sacks, we don't turn it over, and we do hit on a good percentage of long plays.
Strat
July 17, 2026 at 01:06 pm
I think the O has a chance to be very good if the OL can do the job...BIG IF right there. I don't know what to expect from the D with a new DC. Have some good parts, but not enough of them. So based on too many years of the S.O.S., I'll temper my expectations by saying more of the same. Let 'em prove me wrong.