The silence in Green Bay is deafening right now. Usually, mid-January means the frozen tundra is vibrating with the energy of a deep playoff run. Not this time. If you’re looking for a Green Bay Packers game this week, you won’t find one on the schedule.
Last Saturday, the season crashed into a wall.
It was a cold night at Soldier Field. The Packers held an 18-point lead over the Chicago Bears in the NFC Wild Card round. Jordan Love looked like the franchise savior we all hoped for, throwing three first-half touchdowns to Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Jayden Reed. We were up 21-3 at the half. Honestly, it felt over.
Then the fourth quarter happened.
Caleb Williams found another gear, the Bears outscored Green Bay 25-6 in the final frame, and Brandon McManus missed a critical 44-yard field goal that would have changed everything. The 31-27 loss didn’t just end the season; it sent the Packers into an early, soul-searching offseason while their oldest rivals moved on to face the Rams.
What Happened to the Green Bay Packers Game This Week?
The Packers are officially in "locker room clean-out" mode. While the Divisional Round kicks off with the 49ers heading to Seattle and the Bills visiting Denver, Matt LaFleur is stuck watching "the cut-ups." That’s coach-speak for rewatching the film of a season that slipped through their fingers.
The primary reason there isn't a Green Bay Packers game this week comes down to a historic late-season collapse. They lost their final five games.
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Think about that. This was a team that traded for Micah Parsons in August to signal they were "all-in." They had a roster that looked like a Super Bowl contender on paper. But injuries to the offensive line, specifically to star right tackle Zach Tom, became a hole they couldn't plug. Tom was inactive for the playoff loss, and it showed. Jordan Love was pressured on nearly 40% of his dropbacks in the second half.
The Fallout of the Wild Card Collapse
The loss to Chicago was particularly bitter because of how it shifted the rivalry. The Bears have now won three of the last five matchups. For a generation of Packers fans used to total dominance, this feels like a tectonic shift.
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- Jordan Love's Health: He threw for 323 yards and four scores, proving he’s the guy. But he was coming off a concussion from Week 16, and the rust showed in a botched snap late in the game.
- The McManus Factor: You can't miss a 44-yarder in January. Brandon McManus had a rough night, and those four points were the exact margin of defeat.
- Defensive Lapses: Despite the Parsons acquisition, the defense couldn't stop Caleb Williams when it mattered most.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Opponents are Set
Since there is no game to prep for, the front office is already looking at the 2026 calendar. We actually know who the Packers will play next season. Because they finished second in the NFC North, the schedule rotation is locked in.
Green Bay will host some heavy hitters at Lambeau next year. The Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans are both coming to town. They’ll also play their usual slate of divisional games against Minnesota, Detroit, and Chicago. On the road, they’ve got trips to New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and a flight out west to see the Rams.
The offensive line is going to look completely different by the time those games kick off. Elgton Jenkins might be a cap casualty unless he takes a pay cut. Rasheed Walker is heading toward free agency. It’s basically a full reconstruction project for Brian Gutekunst.
Actionable Next Steps for Packers Fans
Since you can't head to the stadium or tune into FOX for a game this weekend, here is how to stay engaged with the team during the early stages of this long offseason:
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- Track the Coaching Staff Changes: Keep an eye on the defensive staff. With the season ending on a five-game skid, Matt LaFleur is under immense pressure to evaluate if Joe Barry's successor—or the current positional coaches—are the right fit for 2026.
- Monitor the Salary Cap: The Packers have a lot of "dead money" and tough decisions looming. Watch the news surrounding Elgton Jenkins and Aaron Banks. Their status will dictate how much the team can spend in free agency.
- Draft Prep: Green Bay will likely have a mid-round pick now. Start looking at offensive tackle prospects. With Zach Tom’s injury history and the potential departure of Rasheed Walker, tackle is a Day 1 priority.
- Micah Parsons’ Contract: He was the big "all-in" move. Now, the team has to decide how to build around him long-term after the defense failed to hold the lead in Chicago.
The 2025 season is in the books. It ended with a whimper instead of a "Go Pack Go" chant in the Divisional Round, but the foundation with Jordan Love remains solid.