‘Apocalyptic’ Offensive Line Leaves Packers’ Season at Risk

Paul Noonan writes that the Green Bay Packers' 2026 start is "apocalyptic" because the offensive line, especially the interior, is failing at a level he says should be impossible for an NFL roster. He stops short of calling the roster talent-free — he believes the team still has plenty of talented non-line players — but argues that the offensive line's sustained incompetence threatens the entire offense and the development of quarterback Jordan Love.

Pass protection and run blocking are foundational. Noonan frames the problem using the idea of a "replacement player" baseline: every NFL team should be at least as good as a freely available baseline. The Packers' line, he argues, is considerably worse than that baseline. The result is repeated pressure on Jordan Love and overall offensive dysfunction.

Noonan lists the major pieces and why they're not solving the issue:

• Zach Bako-Bewele: large financial commitment but sidelined by a full patellar tendon tear and uncertain comeback timeline.
• Aaron Banks: high salary, described as injury-prone and underperforming.
• Anthony Belton: former second-round pick who appears to be performing poorly.
• Jordan Morgan: called "maybe OK," the best of the group but not clearly average.
• Sean Rhyan: unclear what he is yet as a starter.
• Backups (Donovan Jennings, Jacob Monk): provide minimal relief, described as offering nothing.

Noonan places significant blame on offensive line coaching. He argues the group's level of poor play suggests they haven't been taught to play better, and he calls specifically for firing Luke Butkus, the offensive line coach. The piece frames that move as the only rational short-term response beyond roster rebuilds that will take time.

Noonan warns of long-term damage if the situation continues: an inability to protect Love could stunt his development and make the offense uncompetitive. He suggests two practical pathways: replace coaching to try to teach existing players better fundamentals or accept a roster overhaul in future windows. Short-term roster moves are limited because the team has already spent money and draft capital on many of these players.

Noonan's piece is a forceful argument that the Packers' problems are concentrated and structural at the offensive line and that coaching change and roster reclamation will be necessary to prevent further damage to the offense and Jordan Love's trajectory.