The Green Bay Packers are in Kansas City to face the Chiefs and complete the 2022 preseason schedule on Thursday night.
The exhibition contest game can be viewed nationally on NFL Network. While the Packers will sit veteran starters, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst will still have plenty to watch during the preseason finale.
Here are five things to watch on Friday night at Arrowhead Stadium:
Rookie standouts
The Packers’ fourth-round picks – receiver Romeo Doubs and offensive lineman Zach Tom – both have an opportunity on Thursday night to take another big step toward regular-season playing time. Can Doubs create more big plays for Jordan Love? Even Aaron Rodgers knows that the rookie receiver – despite some ups and downs – is proving to be too talented to keep off the field. Tom has been rock-solid at right tackle and could be a legitimate starting option should David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins not be ready for Week 1. Also: Christian Watson, the Packers’ second-rounder, could make his preseason debut after getting 11-on-11 reps in practice this week. There’s a chance he could make a big splash while playing with Jordan Love.
Edge rusher battle
One final opportunity to look at the backup outside linebackers in a game setting before roster cutdowns. Jonathan Garvin, Tipa Galeai, Ladarius Hamilton, Kobe Jones and rookie Kingsley Enagbare (who is probably a roster lock) have all flashed big-time disruptive ability at times during camp and the preseason, but this competition is still wide open. Who takes advantage of the opportunity on Thursday night? It’s possible two roster spots are on the line in the preseason finale. Watch the outside linebackers set the edge against the run, during one-on-one pass-rushing snaps and on special teams. It all matters.
Undrafted rookies with a chance
There appears to be just two undrafted rookies with a chance to make the team: offensive tackle Caleb Jones and running back Tyler Goodson. Jones has been terrific as the second-team left tackle and could force the Packers to keep 10 offensive linemen if he’s strong again on Thursday night. Players with his size and movement ability are rare and worth developing long-term. Goodson is attempting to make the team as the third running back. He’s battling Patrick Taylor, who has more experience and is the more well-rounded player. Goodson’s burst is a special trait, and he can catch the ball out of the backfield, but he’ll need to do something meaningful on special teams to stick.
Secondary stock watch
Cornerback Kiondre Thomas and safety Micah Abernathy have put themselves in a position to win roster spots in the Packers secondary over the first two preseason games. They are the defense’s two highest-graded players at Pro Football Focus so far this summer. Can a player like cornerback Rico Gafford or safety Innis Gaines make a late charge in Kansas City? While there’s no guarantee the Packers will keep six cornerbacks, the safety position is unsettled and at least one roster spot is there for the taking.
Another step from Love?
Love has not only shown obvious improvement from last year, but he even showed week-to-week improvement in his second preseason start last Friday night against the Saints. Can the third-year quarterback keep building momentum against the Chiefs? He’s been playing with more decisiveness and urgency, throwing with more zip and accuracy and showing more willingness to attack downfield and extend plays with his legs. Maybe this is the game where Love plays well again and his young receivers finally make all the plays. The Packers could score a lot of points on Thursday night if that’s the case.