The Green Bay Packers’ first test of training camp against a live opponent went well last week. The team headed on the road to have a joint practice with the Cincinnati Bengals before facing off at Paycor Stadium in their first preseason game of the season.
It was one that the Packers dominated, as they won the game 36-19. There were plenty of positives to take away from the performance, as Green Bay had players step up on both sides of the ball.
For the players who may have performed under expectations, they have a chance to get back on track this week with the New England Patriots coming to town. Two joint practices are scheduled this week before preseason game No. 2 over the weekend.
This is an excellent chance for players to stand out in more live competitions and gain the attention of the coaching staff. Who had a good first joint practice? Here are three of the biggest winners from the first day of competition against the Patriots.
3. Malik Heath
At this point, it seems like the Packers are going to have their hands forced when it comes to the wide receiver depth chart. Some people believed they would only carry five players at the position on the 53-man roster, but it is hard to imagine a sixth not being added.
It is the training camp battle no one expected, and right now, Malik Heath is making a strong case to win the job. Heath had a highlight play during the two-minute drill with the second-team offense. Sean Clifford hit him for a deep contested pass which he completed and hit the pylon for a touchdown.
Plays like that will get the coaching staff’s attention, but what they really want to see is how you can impact the game in other ways. Heath was given a chance to be a contributor on special teams, which is important to keep an eye on.
That was where Bo Melton was seemingly getting an edge, but Melton was forced to sit this one out with a hamstring injury. That provided Heath with a chance to put a gap between the two and he took advantage.
2. Karl Brooks
The Packers’ defensive line was a unit that many people were keeping a close eye on this offseason. There were concerns about who would step up alongside Kenny Clark as the team was going to be relying on a lot of inexperienced players.
One of those players was rookie Karl Brooks. Brooks was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Bowling Green and has put himself in a position to be a regular in the defensive tackle rotation.
His ability to get after the quarterback as a pass rusher is something Green Bay can use more of. He recorded two pressures in the two-minute drill against the Patriots, continually collapsing the pocket around the quarterback.
Brooks has been making plays during all of the live competitions against opponents and looks to have cemented a role on this defense come the regular season.
1. Jordan Love
Any time the Packers step on the field, everyone is watching Jordan Love. They want to see how he reacts to his new role as the team’s starting quarterback, as he is set to replace Aaron Rodgers.
Against the Patriots, Love was excellent given the circumstances. They like to use a lot of exotic looks on defense, none of which phased the Utah State product. There were a few throws he would like to have back, but some excellent highlights as well, such as a long touchdown to Christian Watson.
Big plays like that are being provided at least once or twice per practice by Love, who is getting into a rhythm with his pass catchers. Love was named Player of the Day by Andy Herman and it would be hard to argue against that.
