Packers assess depth, rookie performance against Jets

GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur is making no excuses for his team’s performance in their 10-30 loss to the New York Jets in their first preseason game of 2025. 

Though the starters got limited snaps in their return to Lambeau Field, LaFleur said that the team’s overall performance is an indication of areas that need improvement — including excessive penalties. 

“I think a lot of things showed up tonight that I really wasn’t necessarily anticipating. All those penalties were a major problem. It’s hard to get into any type of rhythm when you have multiple penalties. You have a short yardage situation, third and one, it looks like it’s going to be an easy first down and you get called for holding. You just can’t have those,” said LaFleur. 

The Packers totaled 7 penalties against the Jets — 5 of which were holding penalties. 

“I think if you’re not concerned about it, then you’re probably not pushing as hard as you should be. Yeah, I’m definitely concerned about it. Anytime you just play with poor technique and poor fundamentals and you’re making bad decisions, and I mean, it’s hard to play the game of football if you get called for a holding penalty, it seems like every other play,” added LaFleur. 

Aside from the penalties, the Jets outgained the Packers 403 yards to Green Bay’s 188. 

Though starting quarterback Jordan Love only saw the field for a few snaps – going 1 of 5 for 7 yards on the night, backup quarterback contenders Sean Clifford and Malik Willis both split the remaining action. 

Clifford saw a 50% completion rate, totalling 14 yards while Willis went 4 of 9 for 39 yards. 

“Well, that was a humbling experience. Definitely not what we want to put out there. I

don’t care, preseason, regular season, it doesn’t matter to me. It was just sloppy football. Too many penalties, drops, missed tackles, bad decision making and it really showed up in every phase of football,” said LaFleur. 

Rookie performance

Despite the team’s overall struggle, the Packers’ draft picks showed up with some promising stats in their debut performance. 

First round draft pick wide receiver Matthew Golden gave Packers fans a brief but successful glimpse at his contributions to the team with his only reception as a completion from Love for 7 yards. 

“Yeah, I think for anybody, especially coming in as a rookie, practice is one thing, but obviously you have to go out there and do it in a game. ‘MG,’ I’ve seen a lot of great things from him in practice, and then to go out there and execute a slant route like that and obviously draw the PI (pass interference), it’s two good reps for him right there. But there is going to be so much more that we’re going to have to build on, keep building this thing, keep figuring each other out and

understand the timing and different things like that. Like I said, you always want to be able to see the practice and things like that translate to the game. I’ve got a lot of confidence in ‘MG’ right now,” said Love. 

Undrafted first year rookie running back Amar Johnson also had a few productive plays according to Love. 

“I thought it was a good showing for (Johnson). I thought he ran hard and obviously flashed some play-making ability. He’ll probably earn some more opportunities next week,” said Love.

Johnson posted 7 carries for 67 yards, tallying the only touchdown of the night for the Packers in the fourth quarter on a 39-yard carry.

In addition, DL Barryn Sorrell tallied his first career tackle, also tacking on an assist and 2 quarterback hits. 

The Packers will look to clean up their execution as they hit the road for their next preseason matchup against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Aug. 16.