Packers seeking answers on
offensive line after failing to protect Love in season-opening collapse
[September 15, 2026]
By STEVE MEGARGEE
Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur says he’s open to making
changes to an offensive line that had no answers for Minnesota’s
furious pass rush during another fourth-quarter collapse.
But he noted the importance of settling on a starting five soon to
build cohesiveness. Green Bay’s offensive line was a major concern
throughout training camp, in part because injuries prevented the
projected starters from working together very often.
“Whatever we do, we need to make sure that we find continuity as
quickly as possible,” LaFleur said Monday, a day after the Packers’
39-22 loss to the Vikings. “I think that’s part of the problem, is
we’ve had a lot of guys in and out of the lineup. I’m not making
excuses. It is what it is. You’ve got to find a way to get it done.
"But I do think the more guys play together, typically the better
they play together.”
The offensive line’s failings played a major role in Green Bay
blowing a 22-10 lead, continuing a habit that haunted the Packers
last season.
Counting its 31-27 playoff loss at Chicago last season, Green Bay
has dropped six straight games. The Packers hadn’t lost that many in
a row since losing their final five games in 1990 and first two
contests in 1991.
Left guard Aaron Banks wasn’t available Sunday due to a knee issue.
Donovan Jennings made his first career start in Banks’ place at left
guard, while right guard Jacob Monk made his second career start.
Right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele was limited in camp as he recovered
from a partially torn patellar tendon, and Jordan Morgan was
starting at left tackle Sunday for just the second time.
Green Bay’s linemen failed to protect quarterback Jordan Love,
particularly after Minnesota took the lead in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota’s last two touchdown drives started in the red zone after
the Vikings got a strip sack and Love threw an interception under
pressure.
“What’s disappointing is we had a few protection busts that
absolutely should not and cannot happen,” LaFleur said.
Love was sacked four times and pressured all day.
LaFleur decided early in the fourth quarter to take points off the
board when the Vikings jumped offside on Trey Smack’s 40-yard field
goal. Love got stuffed on fourth-and-1 and Minnesota outscored the
Packers 22-0 the rest of the way.
The Packers lost four games last season that they led by at least
nine points in the second half. LaFleur was asked Monday if he needs
to look at his process regarding halftime adjustments based on
Sunday’s results.
“I don’t personally think that was it,” LaFleur said. “It’d be
different if they came back with a totally different game plan, but
it was the same plan in the second half. They just got to us a few
more times.”
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) fumbles the ball
after being hit by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15)
during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13,
2026, in Minneapolis, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
What’s working
Green Bay’s defense produced an adequate pass rush without Micah
Parsons, who'll miss at least the Packers’ first four games while
recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The Packers
sacked Carson Wentz three times. They totaled four sacks in the four
games Parsons missed last year.
What needs help
The Packers committed 12 penalties. ... Green Bay scored a touchdown
on just one of its four red-zone possessions and allowed Minnesota
to reach the end zone on all four of its trips inside the 20. ...
The Packers gained just 3.1 yards per carry.
Stock up
WR Christian Watson caught six passes for 147 yards and two
touchdowns. ... WR Matthew Golden had six catches for 95 yards to
set career highs in both categories. ... CB Bo Melton had a 59-yard
kickoff return and downed a punt at the 4. ... CB Keisean Nixon had
an interception and a half-sack.
Stock down
The entire starting line of Morgan, Jennings, Sean Rhyan, Monk and
Bako-Bewele struggled. ... S Javon Bullard was penalized for
unnecessary roughness on the hit that knocked Vikings quarterback
Kyler Murray out of the game, then got flagged again for illegal
contact to wipe out a third-down sack on Minnesota’s go-ahead
touchdown drive.
Injuries
Aside from Banks' injury, CB Brandon Cisse left with cramps late in
the second half.
Key number
90-15 — The Packers have been outscored by that margin in the fourth
quarter and overtime during this six-game skid that started last
November. Over their last two games, they’ve been outscored 47-6 in
the fourth quarter.
Next steps
The Packers are back on the road to face the New York Jets, who are
coming off a 23-10 victory at Tennessee. Green Bay plays only one of
its first four games at Lambeau Field.
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AP Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow contributed to this report.
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