The Green Bay Packers are approaching their first preseason game with several important decisions still to make. Green Bay has spent the past two weeks building toward Thursday’s opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers as Matt LaFleur evaluates his roster ahead of the regular season.
Jordan Love has traditionally received preseason work under LaFleur, particularly since taking over as Green Bay’s starter. The quarterback played in the preseason opener in each of his first three seasons as the Packers’ starter, including all three preseason games in 2023 and one series in 2024 and 2025.
The Packers now have a clearer picture of what to expect from their starting quarterback in Pittsburgh.
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
On Tuesday, LaFleur confirmed that the current plan is for Love to play in Thursday’s preseason opener against the Steelers. Green Bay will travel to Pittsburgh for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff at Acrisure Stadium (via Packers reporter Weston Hodkiewicz).
The decision gives Love another opportunity to get game reps before the regular season begins. He threw for 3,381 yards and 23 touchdowns with six interceptions across 15 games in 2025.
LaFleur also provided an update on RB Josh Jacobs, who is dealing with a groin injury, confirming the veteran running back will miss at least this week.
“He’s gonna be out for at least this week,” LaFleur said.
That keeps Jacobs out of Thursday’s preseason opener as the Packers manage his workload ahead of the regular season. Jacobs enters his third season with Green Bay after rushing for 929 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2025.
ALSO SEE:
- Poll: Which AFC North Team Has the Worst Fans?
- 2027 NFL Draft Rankings: Preseason Top 50 Big Board
- 7 Rookies to Watch in NFL Preseason Week 1
After Pittsburgh, Green Bay will visit the Denver Broncos on Aug. 21 before hosting the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 28 to close the preseason.
The Packers then open the regular season on Sept. 13 against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
