As the calendar flips to September 25, 2026, the Green Bay Packers find themselves in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable position: winless in regulation since Week 14 of last season. The latest setback, a lopsided loss to the Atlanta Falcons, has left coaches and fans alike searching for solutions. According to snap count data analyzed by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, the team made several adjustments to both offensive and defensive rotations in Week 3, offering a glimpse into how the coaching staff plans to right the ship.
Backfield Shakeup: MarShawn Lloyd Officially RB3
The most notable change came in the running back room, where rookie MarShawn Lloyd logged just 15 snaps, trailing Chris Brooks (26) and Kaleb Johnson (22). This confirms Lloyd's status as the RB3, a significant shift from last week when he split snaps evenly with Johnson. Brooks, meanwhile, continues to lead the backfield with 85 snaps on the season, while Johnson is rapidly closing the gap on Lloyd (59 snaps to 36). The Packers appear to be favoring a committee approach, but the distribution bears watching as the season progresses.
Receiver Rotation Adjusts to Jayden Reed's Absence
With Jayden Reed likely headed to injured reserve due to a neck/back injury, the Packers leaned on Matthew Golden and Christian Watson, who each played 51 snaps. Skyy Moore stepped into the slot role with 32 snaps, while Bo Melton (21) and J. Michael Sturdivant (20) saw increased action as Green Bay aired it out nearly 60 times. The heavy passing game plan forced fresh legs into the mix, a trend that could continue depending on Reed's availability.
Offensive Line Shuffle: Jager Burton Makes First Start
Rookie Jager Burton made his first career NFL start at left guard, replacing the injured Aaron Banks and benched Donovan Jennings. Jennings did see the field later when right guard Jacob Monk exited with an undisclosed injury. The makeshift line held up reasonably well given the circumstances, but continuity remains a concern for a unit that has struggled to protect Jordan Love consistently.
Defensive Front: Dennis-Sutton Leapfrogs Veterans
Rookie fourth-round pick Dani Dennis-Sutton saw 36 snaps, surpassing Barryn Sorrell (26) and Brenton Cox Jr. (23) in the edge rotation behind Lukas Van Ness. This promotion could signal a permanent shift if Dennis-Sutton continues to impress. On the interior, Karl Brooks led the way with 40 snaps, followed by Javon Hargrave (32) and Devonte Wyatt (31).
Linebacker and Secondary Notes
Edgerrin Cooper's head injury forced him out of the game, paving the way for Isaiah McDuffie to take over at will linebacker. In the secondary, Keisean Nixon and Brandon Cisse played every snap at corner, while Evan Williams and Xavier McKinney anchored the safety spots. Javon Bullard saw 44 snaps as the nickel defender, but the Packers' decision to stay in nickel on a crucial third-and-short late in the game backfired when Atlanta rushed for a first down, effectively sealing the outcome.
As Green Bay searches for its first regulation win since last December, these snap counts reveal a team still tinkering with its lineup. For die-hard fans, the development of young players like Lloyd and Dennis-Sutton offers a silver lining. Stay tuned to Vulius for continued in-depth analysis and exclusive merchandise to support your team through thick and thin.
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