The Green Bay Packers will open the preseason schedule in 2024 with a trip to play the Cleveland Browns on Saturday afternoon. Coach Matt LaFleur said he’s expecting to play most of his healthy veterans, including quarterback Jordan Love, in an effort to make sure his team is physically and mentally prepared to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1.
The Browns won’t play quarterback Deshaun Watson, but some starters will play vs. the Packers on Saturday, per Kevin Stefanski.
Here are five things to watch in the preseason opener:
First test for Hafley
The preseason isn’t a time for exotic blitzes and coverages, so don’t expect new Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to throw the book at the Browns on Saturday. But the preseason opener will provide the first real look at Hafley’s new scheme — a 4-3 base front with up-field, attacking principles and more aggressive coverages. The Packers will get a test in former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston, who is expected to start at quarterback in place of Watson, and backup Tyler Huntley, an experienced backup with nine career starts.
Rookie safety duo
One of the best surprises of training camp has been the versatile, playmaking duo of rookie safeties Javon Bullard and Evan Williams. They’ve been rotating in and out of the lineup next to Xavier McKinney as the Packers attempt to find the right combos in the secondary. Bullard is quick and explosive with slot potential, while Williams is instinctual and plays fast from a variety of alignments. Both have been around the ball throughout camp. It won’t be surprising if Bullard or Williams (or both) makes a big play on Saturday.
Backup quarterback battle takes flight
Jordan Love will start and play a series or two, but the majority of the snaps will be split between backups Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt, who are competing to be the No. 2. Last year, Love played 12 snaps in the preseason opener. Matt LaFleur said Clifford — Love’s backup last season — would get a bigger share of the snaps on Saturday. It appears Clifford, who was erratic and turnover-prone early in training camp, has settled in, while Pratt has a live arm and no fear of pushing the ball downfield. Considering how well Clifford played last summer, Pratt’s playstyle and the depth of the Packers receivers, the passing game should keep things interesting throughout the preseason.
Offensive line
Injuries have made the Packers offensive line a bit of a question mark this summer. And Saturday in Cleveland will be no different: right tackle Zach Tom isn’t expected to play, and first-round pick Jordan Morgan has a shoulder injury and likely won’t play. Can some of the backups finally settle in? Keep a close eye on the right side. The Packers will likely play Sean Rhyan and Jacob Monk at right guard, while Kadeem Telfort, Andre Dillard and Caleb Jones should get snaps at right tackle. At both positions, the Packers need a player or two to step in and play well in the preseason.
Kicks, and kickoffs
Not only are the Packers staging an important kicker competition, but the teams will be debuting the NFL’s new kickoff procedures in the preseason opener. It’s unclear if rookie newcomer Alex Hale will get a chance to kick on Saturday, but Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph — the top two competitors — will be in the spotlight. They are both talented but inconsistent kickers, so starting strong in Cleveland will be important. The Packers need one of them to emerge as a reliable option. The new kickoff will be interesting to study during the preseason, both in terms of how the Packers attempt to return the kicks, and how they cover the kicks.