The Green Bay Packers have officially filled their 90-man roster following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft and the signing of 11 undrafted free agents, but the celebration is already giving way to a brutal reality. According to Packers insider Joey Peterson, the roster is about to get a lot smaller, and several high-profile veterans are in serious danger of being cut. The final preseason game on Sunday, August 30th, will serve as the last trial for many players, with the projected roster cutdown day arriving just two days later on Tuesday, September 1st. Peterson warns that while the six draft picks are likely safe, the real battles are among the veterans and undrafted free agents, and the Packers have a 21-year streak of keeping at least one UDFA on the final 53-man roster. This creates a volatile environment where established names could be sacrificed for younger, cheaper talent.
The most glaring cut candidate is veteran kicker Brandon McManus, a player who has been on the chopping block since January. Peterson notes that the Packers traded up in the draft to select kicker Trey Smack, a move that signals a lack of confidence in McManus. Smack was one of only three FBS kickers in 2025 to make five field goals of 50 or more yards, directly addressing McManus’s biggest weakness. McManus’s 2025 season was disastrous, with an 80% field goal percentage overall but a horrific 50% from 40 to 49 yards, going just six for 12 from 40 or higher. His longest kick was 56 yards, and he was three for seven from 40 to 49. The final straw came in the playoff loss to the Chicago Bears, where McManus missed two kicks in the fourth quarter, becoming the first kicker to do so in a playoff game since 2007. Peterson argues that cutting McManus after June 1st would save the team $2.6 million, a move he says should be made without a second thought.
Running back MarShawn Lloyd is another player on the hot seat, and his situation is even more precarious due to a litany of injuries. Lloyd has suffered five different lower body injuries since joining the team, including a hip, hamstring, ankle, groin, and calf issue. His 2024 training camp was derailed by a hip injury, followed by a hamstring in preseason, an ankle in week two, appendicitis nine weeks later, and another hamstring five weeks after that. In 2025, he suffered a groin injury in camp, another hamstring in preseason, and a calf injury in week 15. Peterson notes that the Packers did not draft a running back, but they signed a UDFA and are still likely to sign or trade for another back before the season. With Josh Jacobs as the clear starter and Emanuel Wilson now with the Seattle Seahawks, the team lacks confidence in Lloyd’s ability to stay healthy. Cutting Lloyd would save $1.3 million, a modest sum but significant for a player who cannot stay on the field.
Defensive lineman Carl Brooks is facing increased pressure after the Packers traded up in the third round to select Chris McLellan. Brooks had a chance to step up last season when Devonte Wyatt was injured, but the run defense remained poor across the board. The team also added Javon Hargrave in free agency and still has Warren Bronson and Nazir Stackhouse on the roster. Peterson points out that the defensive line is now stacked with outside talent, including Colin Oliver and multiple draft picks. Brooks’s savings would be $3.6 million whether cut pre or post June 1st, making it a financially sensible move. Peterson advises fans to keep a close eye on this situation, as the depth chart is crowded and Brooks may not survive the final cut.
Linebacker Tyrel Dodson is another surprise candidate, despite his impressive athleticism. Peterson describes Dodson as a player who has been buried on the depth chart and has failed to make the expected jump. The signing of undrafted free agent T.J. Quinn, who had over 160 tackles in the last two seasons, four and a half sacks, and two interceptions, puts additional pressure on Dodson. Quinn is undersized at 6 feet and 225 pounds, but his production is undeniable, and his 4.5 40-yard dash time and 10-foot broad jump are elite. Cutting Dodson would save $1.3 million, a small but meaningful amount for a player who has not lived up to expectations.
Tight end Luke Musgrave is the final veteran on the chopping block, and his situation mirrors that of Carl Brooks. When Tucker Kraft went down with an injury, Musgrave failed to seize the opportunity to become the primary target. Peterson notes that the team signed undrafted free agent RJ Maryland out of SMU, a tight end who is essentially a wide receiver in terms of pass-catching ability. Maryland is elite at getting open and making defenders miss after the catch, which could make him a valuable asset in a room full of blocking tight ends. Cutting Musgrave would save nearly $2 million, a significant amount for a player who has not proven he can be a reliable starter.
Peterson reminds fans that his predictions have a track record, citing a 60% success rate from a similar video after the 2025 season. In that video, he correctly predicted the cuts of Elton Jenkins, Trevon Diggs, and the trade of Rashan Gary. He challenges viewers to name a player they believe will be cut, promising to pin the top comment. The Packers are entering a period of intense roster evaluation, and the decisions made over the next few weeks will shape the team for the 2026 season. With a full 90-man roster now in place, the countdown to cutdown day has officially begun, and no veteran is safe.
The Packers’ front office has a history of making tough decisions, and this year appears to be no different. The combination of a strong draft class, a deep undrafted free agent pool, and the need to save cap space creates a perfect storm for surprising cuts. McManus’s struggles in clutch situations, Lloyd’s injury history, Brooks’s inability to anchor the run defense, Dodson’s failure to develop, and Musgrave’s lack of production all make them vulnerable. The team’s 21-year streak of keeping at least one UDFA on the roster adds another layer of uncertainty, as a young, hungry player could easily displace a veteran.
Peterson’s analysis highlights the brutal nature of the NFL, where even established players can lose their jobs to younger, cheaper alternatives. The Packers have invested heavily in their draft picks and undrafted free agents, and they will not hesitate to move on from veterans who are not performing. The final preseason game on August 30th will be a critical audition for many players, and the subsequent cutdown day on September 1st will be a day of reckoning. Peterson, whose birthday falls on that day, jokes that it is a brutal birthday for him, as he will have to report on players losing their jobs.
The financial implications of these cuts are also significant. Saving $2.6 million on McManus, $1.3 million on Lloyd, $3.6 million on Brooks, $1.3 million on Dodson, and $2 million on Musgrave would free up over $10 million in cap space. This money could be used to sign a veteran running back or address other needs as the season approaches. The Packers are clearly in a win-now mode, and they cannot afford to carry dead weight on the roster.
As the roster battles heat up, fans are urged to pay close attention to the undrafted free agents, particularly Trey Smack and RJ Maryland. Smack’s performance in the Shrine Bowl, where he hit a 57-yard field goal, has already turned heads. Maryland’s ability to create mismatches in the passing game could make him a valuable weapon for quarterback Jordan Love. The Packers’ coaching staff will have their work cut out for them as they evaluate the talent on the roster and make the difficult decisions that will define the 2026 season.
Peterson’s final message to fans is to stay engaged and follow along on social media, where he will provide updates and analysis throughout the process. He encourages viewers to subscribe and leave their predictions in the comments, promising to track the accuracy of his picks. The Packers are a team on the rise, but the path to success is paved with tough choices. The next few weeks will determine who stays and who goes, and the stakes could not be higher.
