Packers 2015 Preview: Complete Green Bay Guide for Preseason, Season

In just over five weeks, the Green Bay Packers will officially open their season when they travel to face the Chicago Bears on September 13. 

Considering how many long, long weeks have passed since the Packers last played a snap on January 18, five weeks is no time at all. However, those weeks will be packed with movement and developments, from when Green Bay opens the preseason on August 13 to when the team must cut its roster down to 75 players by 4:00 p.m. ET on September 1. 

In the coming weeks, we'll get a better sense for how the Packers' new additions are fitting in with their veteran teammates, who is surging ahead in position battles, which undrafted rookies have a legitimate shot at making the final roster and how the offense and defense are looking ahead of the season. 

This guide breaks down all the information you need to know heading into the Packers' preseason and upcoming regular season. 

Coaching Changes

Morry Gash/Associated Press

Head Coach Mike McCarthy

Was: Head Coach—but now he's not calling the plays. 

Associate Head Coach/Offense Tom Clements

Was: Offensive Coordinator 

Offensive Coordinator Edgar Bennett

Was: Wide Receivers Coach

Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers Coach Alex Van Pelt

Was: Quarterbacks Coach

Special Teams Coordinator Ron Zook

Was: Special Teams Assistant 

Defensive Front Assistant Jerry Montgomery 

Was: Oklahoma Defensive Assistant 

Assistant Offensive Line Coach Mike Solari 

Was: San Francisco 49ers Assistant 

Preseason Schedule

Morry Gash/Associated Press

Thursday, August 13, 7:30 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots

Aaron Rodgers was able to pass for 368 yards and two touchdowns on the Patriots when the teams last met on November 30, 2014...and New England's secondary has only gotten worse since then with the loss of cornerbacks Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner, Alfonzo Dennard and Kyle Arrington. 

Though some believe Patriots quarterback Tom Brady could still find a way to play Week 1, the Packers defense will certainly face him for a series or two to start this preseason opener. It will be a good test for projected starting outside cornerback Casey Hayward. 

Sunday, August 23, 1 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers

Green Bay will certainly look to test new Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Keith Butler's defensive scheme after the departure of Dick LeBeau. Green Bay's offensive line will have a nice workout holding back outside linebackers James Harrison, Arthur Moats, Jarvis Jones and Bud Dupree. 

Running back Le'Veon Bell will be suspended for the first two games of the season but surely will receive some carries in this game to keep him engaged. He'll be a great preseason test of the Packers run defense, especially its inside linebacker duo.

Saturday, August 29, 8 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

It's unclear how many snaps Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford—whose knee is reportedly good to go, per the News Journal's Martin Frank—will take in this preseason game, but the Packers pass rush will certainly try to disrupt the ones he does take.

Mike Neal still remains on the PUP list in the second week of training camp, but head coach Mike McCarthy said he thinks he'll be back soon, per Michael Cohen of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 

Neal and Julius Peppers would get the first crack at Bradford, but it will be more interesting to see how linebackers Adrian Hubbard and Jayrone Elliott, who are on the roster bubble for the Packers, perform. 

Thursday, September 3, 7 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints

The preseason is no place for revenge matches, but the Packers must still have a bad taste in their mouths from the way they left things in New Orleans in their 44-23 loss last October. Don't expect Rodgers or many of the starters to even play in this game, however; for now, revenge will have to wait.

This game will be crucial as the last opportunity for bubble players and undrafted rookies to make a case to earn a spot on the team.  

Regular-Season Schedule

Mike Roemer/Associated Press

Week 1: Sunday, September 13, 1 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

On August 4, USA Today's Nate Davis projected the Bears to have the worst record in football in 2015, so this season opener will likely be a triumphant one for the Packers, even though it's in Chicago.

What in another year could have been a tough Week 1 is almost a gimme. The big wild card here is whether new coach John Fox can motivate Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and if Chicago's rookie weapon, Kevin White, is a suitable replacement for Brandon Marshall. 

Week 2: Sunday, September 20, 8:30 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks

By all indications from head coach Mike McCarthy, the Packers have moved on from their shocking loss to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game in January. "Last year really doesn't count for anything," he said this offseason, per ESPN.com's Rob Demovksy.  

But it would be crazy to think the Packers won't carry a little extra grit and determination into this matchup. They have an advantage in it being their home opener at Lambeau Field, and they've learned since last year's season opener not to avoid Richard Sherman's side of the field. Plus, Davante Adams will be a much more effective third receiver for Rodgers than Jarrett Boykin was in this matchup in 2014. 

Week 3: Monday, September 28, 8:30 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Green Bay's secondary is looking forward to having a field day against Kansas City's uninspired passing game. The Chiefs only averaged 199 passing yards per game in 2014, fourth-worst in the league. They brought in Jeremy Maclin in free agency and drafted Chris Conley in the third round. Maclin gives the Chiefs and Alex Smith a deep threat, but the corps overall shouldn't be anything that Sam Shields, Hayward, Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix can't handle. 

Week 4: Sunday, October 4, 4:25 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers

How different this matchup against the 49ers will look for the Packers! San Francisco has won its four last consecutive games against Green Bay, per Pro-Football-Reference.com, dating back to September 2012. Two of those wins knocked the Packers out of the playoffs. 

Now, however, San Francisco is in crisis mode. USA Today predicted a paltry 5-11 record for the 49ers, who lost a multitude of key players in the offseason, including defensive lineman Justin Smith, linebacker Patrick Willis, linebacker Chris Borland and tackle Anthony Davis to retirement. Guard Mike Iupati, cornerbacks Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox and running back Frank Gore were all released in free agency, and wide receiver Michael Crabtree signed with the rival Oakland Raiders. 

San Francisco would be hard-pressed to get win No. 5 when it hosts Green Bay in Week 5. 

Week 5: Sunday, October 11, 1 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers vs. St. Louis Rams 

The Rams will be one of the most intriguing opponents the Packers face in 2015. While this is a game on the schedule for which most people would write a "W" next to Green Bay, St. Louis could prove difficult if everything comes together. The team added some key pieces on offense in the offseason, including quarterback Nick Foles, running back Todd Gurley and offensive lineman Rob Havenstein. Its defense was already stacked. 

Week 6: Sunday, October 18, 4:25 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers vs. San Diego Chargers

Packers fans who are also Badgers fans will look forward to seeing Melvin Gordon take the field at Lambeau...but they'll hope Green Bay's run defense is in a position at this point in the season to slow him down. San Diego looks to have a balanced offensive attack between quarterback Philip Rivers, Gordon and wide receiver Keenan Allen. 

The Packers will also get a chance to scout a player who could have helped them this season but whom they passed on in the NFL draft: inside linebacker Denzel Perryman. 

Week 7: BYE

Week 8: Sunday, November 1, 8:30 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos 

This matchup, featuring two of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game, will be fun to watch. Expect an air raid. 

The Broncos, however, could look quite different in 2015 under new head coach Gary Kubiak and without one of Peyton Manning's favorite targets, tight end Julius Thomas. Denver also has a crowded backfield with C.J. Anderson, Montee Ball, Juwan Thompson, James Casey and Ronnie Hillman, but it's unclear if the quality there matches the quantity. That could allow the Packers to focus heavily on stopping Manning. 

Week 9: Sunday, November 8, 1 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers

When these two teams last met in October 2014, it wasn't pretty for Carolina. The Packers dominated the Panthers, 38-17. Carolina's offensive line struggled to protect Cam Newton in 2014, with a pass-blocking efficiency grade of just 77.0 by Pro Football Focus, 26th in the league. Veteran Michael Oher might not be the person to remedy that, and if he's not, the Packers will pick him apart. 

Packers fans who have watched Charles "Peanut" Tillman for years as Green Bay faced him on Chicago's squad will be interested to see the 34-year-old veteran try to cover Jordy Nelson. 

Week 10: Sunday, November 15, 1 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions 

Aside from the season opener in Chicago, Green Bay's division matchups are heavily backloaded in 2015. They pick things up in Week 10, beginning a string of four straight NFC North matchups with this one against the Detroit Lions. 

Rodgers has to be thrilled that he'll no longer have to deal with the antics of Ndamukong Suh, who departed for Miami. The Lions also lost Nick Fairley, C.J. Mosley and Andre Fluellen, making this defensive line far less intimidating than in years past. This game will come down to the strength of Green Bay's defense to render ineffective Detroit weapons Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and Eric Ebron.  

Week 11: Sunday, November 22, 1 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings 

It would be dangerous to discount the Vikings in 2015. By this point in the season, Minnesota will have demonstrated whether it's powerful enough to push for second place in the division. But ahead of the season, it certainly looks that way.

Second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is talented, and he has a new weapon in Mike Wallace as well as Charles Johnson, Cordarrelle Patterson and up-and-comer Jarius Wright. 

It's Minnesota's defense, however, that could really become a powerhouse.

Don't forget that its pass defense finished No. 7 in the league in 2014, and the team strengthened the secondary even more by drafting cornerback Trae Waynes in the first round of the draft. Middle linebacker Eric Kendricks has also been impressive during training camp, per ESPN.com's Ben Goessling, which could make the Vikings' middle tough for Eddie Lacy to navigate. 

Week 12: Thursday, November 26, 8:30 p.m. ET (Thanksgiving Day)

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears

See Week 1 preview; at this point in the season, the Bears might not have much left to play for. 

Week 13: Thursday, December 3, 8:25 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions 

See Week 10 preview; not much will have changed after the Packers just faced the Lions three weeks prior, but if they lose the first matchup, it will provide extra motivation for this one. 

Week 14: Sunday, December 13, 4:15 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas feels that it should have won the NFC Divisional Round matchup against Green Bay in the 2014 season; almost everyone else agrees the Packers won it decidedly and by the letter of the rulebook. In any case, this game could get salty.

The Cowboys almost certainly have the best offensive line in football in 2015, and quarterback Tony Romo won't have many more chances. Dallas' Achilles' heel, however, could be its run game, where none of Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar or Ryan Williams is a suitable replacement for workhorse DeMarco Murray. 

Week 15: Sunday, December 20, 4:05 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers at Oakland Raiders

On paper, the Raiders are doing everything right to become competitive in 2015. They've added weapons for young up-and-comer Derek Carr in draft stud Amari Cooper and veteran Michael Crabtree. Linebacker Khalil Mack is a superstar, and defensive ends Justin Tuck and Mario Edwards will be expected to ramp up the pass rush. Against Green Bay's offensive line, however, that will be tough. 

Week 16: Sunday, December 27, 4:25 p.m. ET

Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals 

The 2015 Cardinals will rise and fall on the health of quarterback Carson Palmer. Green Bay will have to grapple with offensive weapons Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown and Andre Ellington, but if Palmer can't stay healthy, it won't matter. But remember that Palmer went 6-0 with Arizona before being placed on injured reserve; he could give Green Bay trouble. 

Week 17: Sunday, January 3, 1 pm. ET

Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings 

See Week 11 preview; it's hard to imagine the Packers won't have control of the NFC North by Week 17, but the Vikings could be pushing for a wild-card spot and therefore be motivated to finish strong. 

Projected 53-Man Roster

Morry Gash/Associated Press

Quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers, Scott Tolzien, Brett Hundley

Wide Receivers: Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Jeff Janis, Ty Montgomery, Jared Abbrederis  

Running Backs: Eddie Lacy, James Starks, Rajion Neal, John Kuhn (FB), Aaron Ripkowski (FB)

Tight Ends: Richard Rodgers, Andrew Quarless, Kennard Backman

Offensive Line: David Bakhtiari, Josh Sitton, Corey Linsley, T.J. Lang, Bryan Bulaga, Don Barclay, JC Tretter, Matt Rotheram 

Defensive Line: B.J. Raji, Mike Daniels, Letroy Guion, Josh Boyd, Mike Pennel, Datone Jones, Christian Ringo

Linebackers: Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Mike Neal, Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliott, Sam Barrington, Jake Ryan, Nate Palmer

Cornerbacks: Sam Shields, Casey Hayward, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, Demetri Goodson, Micah Hyde (slot), LaDarius Gunter

Safeties: Morgan Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Sean Richardson, (Micah Hyde)

Special Teams: Mason Crosby (K), Tim Masthay (P), Brett Goode (LS)

Offensive Preview

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

In a word, Green Bay's 2015 offense looks deadly. 

Rodgers' calf is fully healed, as Paul Imig of Fox Sports Wisconsin reported in May, and he's set to have one of the best seasons of his career coming off his lowest career-interception rate in a season in 2014. 

General manager Ted Thompson's offseason coup was re-signing Randall Cobb before he could become a free agent and drafting Stanford's Ty Montgomery in May. 

Now, Rodgers can scan the field and hit the following receivers: Jordy Nelson, Cobb, Davante Adams, Jeff Janis, Montgomery or Jared Abbrederis.

That's a potent mix of stretch-the-field ability and slot skill. Add rising star Richard Rodgers into the mix and Aaron Rodgers should always have an open target. 

Expect to see the 2015 passing offense feature some unique package plays. That's likely the way Montgomery will get involved early on while he's otherwise contributing as a special teams returner. The Packers can line Montgomery or Cobb up out of the backfield and the slot, while Nelson, Adams, Janis and Abbrederis could line up outside. 

Eddie Lacy's usage was much more balanced last season. His overall carries decreased from 284 in 2013 to 246 in 2014, but he gained more yards per attempt last season (4.1 YPA in 2013 versus 4.6 YPA in 2014).

That balance was slightly off in Lacy's rookie season, in which he averaged 20 carries per game and dealt with a foot injury and asthma toward the end of the season. In 2014, however, the Packers appeared to reach a sweet spot with Lacy's usage, and when Aaron Rodgers struggled with a calf injury, Lacy was able to carry the offense. 

James Starks accounted for 25 percent of the Packers' rushing offense in 2014, per Pro Football Focus, with 85 attempts. (Note that percentage only includes halfbacks' carries, none by quarterbacks or other positions.) He'll be vital in terms of keeping Lacy fresh. 

Behind Lacy and Starks, the No. 3 spot on the depth chart is so far unsettled in Week 2 of training camp. The competitors include practice-squad holdover Rajion Neal and undrafted rookies John Crockett and Alonzo Harris.

Crockett is one of the Packers' most promising undrafted free agents and was certainly leading the competition, but he sprained his left ankle during minicamp, per Ryan Wood of the Press-Gazette, and hasn't made an impact in training camp so far. 

Though the Packers could feasibly keep four halfbacks on the 53-man roster, they may need to use that fourth spot for a second fullback, utilizing John Kuhn and Aaron Ripkowski. Neither looks to factor heavily into the rushing offense, but Kuhn proved to be a crucial lead blocker for Lacy last season.

Defensive Preview

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Can the Packers defense help get the team to the Super Bowl in 2015, or will it hold them back? That's the biggest question facing Green Bay ahead of the season. 

The secondary should be strong. Casey Hayward should slot into the starting role opposite Sam Shields, with Micah Hyde, Demetri Goodson and 2015 rookies Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins as backups and nickel/dime contributors—as well as undrafted rookie LaDarius Gunter, if he makes the team. Early indications from camp have been positive for the rookie, according to the Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein. 

To utilize all that talent, Capers will run frequent sub-packages in 2015. The Packers already run the nickel and dime more than their standard 3-4, but this year could feature even more "Big Dime" (3-2-6) looks to get the safeties involved.

Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix make safety a solid unit, but the Packers also want to get Sean Richardson more involved after matching the Raiders' one-year, $2.55 million offer this offseason. Richardson could be an asset in the run game. 

The four-linebacker NASCAR package energized the pass rush in 2014 and should continue to do so this season while the Packers still have the personnel for it (Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Nick Perry and Mike Neal). 

The NASCAR is effective when utilized on third downs, but it sometimes meant that skilled interior rusher Mike Daniels was taken off the field on third downs. 

The run defense is one of Green Bay's biggest question marks heading into the season. The unit has experienced more turnover than any other position.

At inside linebacker, A.J. Hawk, Brad Jones and Jamari Lattimore departed in free agency. Jake Ryan was added in the fourth round of the draft and, along with undrafted rookies Tavarus Dantzler and James Vaughters, is competing in training camp with Carl Bradford, Nate Palmer, Joe Thomas and Josh Francis. 

Palmer has been earning first dibs at snaps behind Matthews and Sam Barrington at inside linebacker, while Bradford looks to be on the roster bubble.

B.J. Raji will attempt a career resurgence at nose tackle. Green Bay will be thin at defensive tackle to start the season, with Letroy Guion suspended three games and Datone Jones suspended one game, both for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. Mike Daniels will hold down the right side of the line, and Josh Boyd will have to step up.