Just to be clear, this title could apply to most of the team. After the offensive output over the last two weeks against the Panthers and Eagles, it can be argued that the entire offensive unit needs to step up for the Packers to reach their ultimate goal. Instead, I’d like to focus on four players in particular who need to elevate their play as the Packers head into their final eight games.

Sean Rhyan-

When Elgton Jenkins left the Packers’ Monday night game against the Eagles, it was Sean Rhyan who came off the bench to replace him at center. While he performed fine considering he was asked to come in cold at a position he hasn’t played all season, he’ll definitely need to improve — and quickly. News came out Tuesday, and was confirmed Wednesday by Matt LaFleur, that Jenkins not only fractured his leg but also tore ligaments that will require surgery. Unless there’s another shakeup coming on the offensive line, Rhyan appears to be the starting center moving forward.

Rhyan’s play this season has been best described as up and down. While splitting snaps with Jordan Morgan at right guard for most of the year, Rhyan has earned a 54.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. He’s graded slightly better as a run blocker (56.5) than as a pass blocker (51.0). The Packers will need him to take command of an offensive line that has struggled mightily in 2025.

Matt LaFleur’s Packers clearly want to be a team that can run the football early and often — and that starts up front. Now, with Rhyan manning the center position, he’s been handed the keys to help direct protections. There might not be another player on the roster who can help themselves more heading into 2026 than Rhyan. As a pending free agent after this season — and with Elgton Jenkins possibly having played his final snap in green and gold — the Packers will need a new starting center. Will that be Rhyan?

Dontayvion Wicks-

Wicks returned from a two-week absence against the Eagles and was immediately re-integrated into the offense. He saw his second-most action of the season, catching four passes for 38 yards while playing 44 snaps. With rookie Matthew Golden sidelined by a shoulder injury and Romeo Doubs leaving the game in the second half with a chest injury, Wicks played the second-most snaps at receiver behind Christian Watson. As he continues to get healthier and further removed from his calf injury, his role in the offense should continue to grow.

Arguably the best route runner and separator on the roster, Wicks can fill Tucker Kraft’s role in must-have reception situations. We saw Jordan Love target him a few times on third down Monday night, and he came up with key catches. Drops have been an issue for Wicks in the past — he ranked seventh in the league last season with nine — but he seems to have improved that part of his game in 2025, being credited with just two drops so far.

With Kraft now out for the rest of the season, every pass catcher on this roster becomes even more important. With Golden missing time and Jayden Reed still a few weeks away from returning, Wicks’ play will continue to be counted on heavily down the stretch.

Brandon McManus-

The Packers seem committed to Brandon McManus and have been vocal about him being their guy moving forward. Even with Lukas Havrisk still occupying a spot on the active roster, the Packers have continued to trot out McManus in recent weeks despite his struggles. To be fair, he’s been dealing with a quad injury to his kicking leg — but this isn’t the same McManus who came into Green Bay last October and rescued the Packers’ kicking game.

Among kickers with at least 10 field goal attempts this season, McManus owns the worst success rate at 64.7%. Last season, he finished 20-of-21 on field goals. In 2025, he’s simply missed too many kicks. He’s missed a field goal in four of his seven games this year — including three straight since returning from injury. And it’s not just the long ones; he’s missed makeable kicks by NFL standards. He failed to convert a 44-yard attempt against Pittsburgh and is just 1-for-5 this season on kicks between 40 and 49 yards.

The Packers have lost all 3 of their games by a combined nine points. If they continue to play in one-score games, McManus will be counted on to deliver some big-time kicks down the stretch.

Carrington Valentine-

Unlike his three teammates on this list, Valentine is here not because he’s underperformed — but because he needs to keep performing at his current level. Coming off his best game of the season against the Eagles, where he allowed just one catch for seven yards in coverage, Valentine is steadily developing into perhaps the best corner on the roster. His 79.4 overall grade in Week 10 was his highest of the season per PFF, and it comes at the perfect time with Nate Hobbs expected to miss at least the next few games with a knee injury.

Even once Hobbs returns, he should be moved inside to allow Valentine to remain outside against opposing teams’ top receivers. After his strong showings against DK Metcalf and A.J. Brown — breaking up passes in the end zone against both — he’s proven he can hang with some of the league’s best wideouts. His physicality is rare among corners today.

It wasn’t that long ago that Valentine played just two snaps against the Cardinals in favor of Hobbs. But if the Packers’ defense continues playing like it did Monday night, Valentine will be a big reason why. After cutting Jaire Alexander and signing Nate Hobbs in the offseason the Packers have been looking for a number 1 corner. Now is Valentines opportunity to take it and run.