The Green Bay Packers open their 2026 preseason schedule on Thursday, August 13, traveling to face the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.
Mike McCarthy Returns to Face His Former Team
McCarthy’s coaching career comes full circle as the Pittsburgh native leads the Steelers against the franchise that gave him his first NFL head coaching opportunity. McCarthy coached the Packers from 2006 to 2018, leading the organization to its fourth Super Bowl title. That victory prompted Green Bay to name a street after him in 2014, making him one of three Packers coaches honored with a dedicated roadway near the team’s training facility.
Despite the historic ties, McCarthy dismissed any temptation to dwell on the past as his team prepares for game action. Instead, he pointed to fundamental cleanup work required during training camp.
“Our history there is obviously long and the success we had there, You get to spots like this, the personal relationships or the people you think about, … the professional connection to Green Bay, that’s part of my life. But I’m more worried about our pre-snap penalties right now, to be honest with you.”
Mike McCarthy, Steelers Coach
While McCarthy focuses on operational discipline in Pittsburgh, his counterpart across the field navigates different pressures. Matt LaFleur enters the exhibition slate facing heightened expectations after the Packers secured the NFC’s seven seed in the postseason for three consecutive years. With a demanding schedule ahead in the NFC North, Green Bay views the preseason opener as an essential measuring stick.
Jordan Love and the Quarterback Preseason Dilemma
The decision to play starting quarterback Jordan Love involves a delicate risk-reward calculus for the coaching staff. League analysts note that while coaches want their starters sharp and battle-tested for a brutal divisional race against the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings, exposing a franchise signal-caller to early-game hits carries severe downside. Last season, Love suffered a thumb sprain on his non-throwing hand during the preseason that required surgery.
The Packers cannot afford a slow start in what analysts describe as potentially the toughest division in football. A stumble out of the gate can prove fatal by December, making early reps vital for integrating key offensive pieces like wide receiver Matthew Golden, who is working to secure a larger role in the offense.
Roster Battles Highlighted by Wide Receiver Competition
In Pittsburgh, training camp developments have reshaped the offensive depth chart ahead of the opening kickoff. Wide receiver Roman Wilson has built strong chemistry with Aaron Rodgers, establishing a firm hold on the No. 3 receiver role. Conversely, rookie second-round pick Germie Bernard faces a steeper learning curve as he adjusts to the playbook.
“I think it’s 90% mental, I think even the fastest, most athletic guys, if you don’t know what you’re doing completely, you’re going to play slower.”
Aaron Rodgers, Steelers Quarterback
On the offensive line, Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook are competing to nail down permanent starting roles on the right side.
Defensive Shifts and Special Teams Hurdles
Green Bay travels to Pittsburgh with notable adjustments on defense under coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Until edge rusher Micah Parsons returns from injury, a fierce competition is underway to fill the outside linebacker and defensive end spots. While Lukas Van Ness anchors one side, players like Barryn Sorrell, Dani Dennis-Sutton, and Brenton Cox Jr. will look to solidify their roster standing during live game action.
In the secondary, free-agent cornerback Benjamin St-Juste has logged first-team repetitions ahead of Keisean Nixon during camp. Standing at 6-foot-3, St-Juste provides the size needed to match up against tall divisional pass catchers, though Thursday night will test his abilities against the run game.
Special teams present an immediate trial for rookie kicker Trey Smack. Stepping onto the field at Acrisure Stadium means contending with notoriously fickle winds created by the confluence of three rivers at the south end of the venue. Historical data underscores the difficulty, with opposing kickers converting just 77% of their attempts last season, a factor that can dramatically alter close preseason evaluations.
Kickoff Details and What Lies Ahead
The opening preseason contest gets underway at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at Acrisure Stadium. Coaches from both sidelines will use the ensuing three weeks of the preseason schedule to finalize 53-man rosters before the regular season commences.
