Packers Fall to Steelers in Preseason Opener: Key Takeaways from the 28-9 Loss

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, left, talks with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, right, during warmups before a preseason football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press

Kicker Trey Smack delivered a standout performance, while cornerbacks Keisean Nixon and Jaylin Simpson faced challenges. Additionally, the Packers’ running game and overall depth raised concerns for the coaching staff.

The Green Bay Packers suffered a 28-9 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers in their preseason opener on Thursday. The Steelers scored the final 21 points, extending the Packers’ struggles in the latter stages of games. Despite some positive moments, the loss highlighted areas needing improvement.

THE GOOD

SMACK ATTACK: Green Bay rookie kicker Trey Smack has had a challenging summer, converting 20 of 28 field goals (71.4%). His performance Thursday was a relief for the organization. Smack nailed 58-, 38-, and 37-yard field goals, and added a 58-yarder that was later nullified due to a Pittsburgh penalty.

Smack’s first kick, a 58-yarder, gave Green Bay an automatic first down after a 15-yard unnecessary roughness call on Pittsburgh’s Dean Lowry. Coach Matt LaFleur chose to forgo the points. When the offense struggled, Smack’s 37-yarder provided a 3-0 lead. Late in the second quarter, Kyle McCord’s leadership helped set up a 57-yard field goal to tie the game at 7-6. In the third quarter, Smack’s 38-yarder extended the lead to 10-7.

For a young kicker under scrutiny, this performance was a much-needed boost.

QUITE A STOP: Pittsburgh’s 15-play, 84-yard drive in the second quarter ended with key defensive stops. Rookie cornerback Brandon Cisse made a crucial touchdown-saving tackle of Lew Nichols at Green Bay’s 3-yard line. On third down, Germie Bernard nearly secured a score before Murvin Kenion III forced him out of the end zone. Safety Mark Perry then contained Pat Freiermuth on a short pass, preventing a touchdown.

MCCORD MAKES HIS MARK: Green Bay’s third-string quarterback Kyle McCord completed 12 of 16 passes for 102 yards, earning a 91.1 rating. “He’s starting to understand what’s going on from our perspective and learning how to play with our rhythm and our tempo that we stress a lot,”Packers quarterback coach Luke Getsy said. “I’m excited because he’s shown jumps every single week in this process.”

WHO PLAYED WHERE?: Green Bay’s starting offensive line (left to right): Jordan Morgan, Jager Burton, Sean Rhyan, Jacob Monk, and Anthony Belton. Rhyan exited after one series, shifting Monk to center and Donovan Jennings to right guard. Brandon Cisse and Keisean Nixon anchored the secondary, with Warren Brinson, Karl Brooks, and Jonathan Ford manning the defensive tackle positions in the base defense.

THIS AND THAT: On Green Bay’s opening drive, Jordan Love connected with Jayden Reed for 19 yards on third-and-five. McCord later found Skyy Moore for an 11-yard gain and first down. Collin Oliver delivered a head-turning tackle, pursuing from the backside to halt Lew Nichols for no gain.

THE BAD

SIMPSON STRUGGLES: Cornerback Jaylin Simpson had a rough outing, struggling to contain Pittsburgh’s receiving threats. Kaden Wetjen exploited Simpson with a 74-yard catch after a missed tackle, leading to a touchdown. Simpson’s coverage faltered twice more, including a penalty that contributed to Pittsburgh’s scoring drives. His performance raised questions about his readiness for high-profile opponents.

THAT WON’T HELP: Keisean Nixon’s efforts against Germie Bernard were lackluster, with missed tackles and minimal effort on a 25-yard play. As he competes for a starting role, Nixon’s lack of urgency may cost him his position.

NO AARON: Former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who plans to retire after the season, did not play Thursday. “What’s the value of it?” Rodgers said of preseason games. “I don’t think it’s super high because in 2015, we lost our All-Pro wide receiver (Jordy Nelson). There’s not a tremendous amount of value that I see in it.”

REMEMBER HIM?: Steelers tight end Robert Tonyan, who caught 10 touchdowns for Green Bay in 2020, dominated with four catches for 61 yards. His performance underscored the Packers’ thin tight end roster. Tonyan’s 16- and 15-yard catches set up Lew Nichols’ 1-yard touchdown run, giving Pittsburgh a 7-3 lead.

MISSING IN ACTION: Several key Packers players, including Micah Parsons, Josh Jacobs, and Tucker Kraft, did not suit up due to injury or roster decisions. The absence of veterans highlighted concerns about the team’s depth at multiple positions.

THE UGLY

RUN GAME NONEXISTANT: Green Bay’s rushing attack was ineffective, accumulating just 63 yards on 24 carries (2.6 yards per rush). Damien Martinez led with 20 yards on eight attempts. The offense’s inability to move the ball underlined issues with both blocking and play design.

DEPTH? WHAT DEPTH?: Despite front office promises of robust depth, Green Bay’s second-half performance (21-0 in the final 17½ minutes) exposed vulnerabilities. The secondary, offensive line, and tight ends showed significant strain against Pittsburgh’s backups. With the regular season one month away, the coaching staff may need to address these gaps to avoid similar pitfalls in critical games.

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