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Who could be a first-time Pro Bowler for the Green Bay Packers during the 2026 season? Quarterback Jordan Love is the most obvious and likely candidate, given his gradual but meaningful improvement as a starter and the impressive efficiency metrics he produced in 2025.
Conor Orr of SI.com already laid out a strong case for Love as a first-time Pro Bowler in 2026:
Making the Pro Bowl is difficult, and the honor usually trails behind a player's actual performance. Being voted to the Pro Bowl usually requires a combination of name recognition, a large portfolio of big plays and a lot of winning. And as Orr rightfully notes, breaking through and earning a first Pro Bowl nod is often the toughest hurdle for a good player.
So, who are the Packers' other possible first-time Pro Bowl candidates in 2026?
A list:
TE Tucker Kraft: He would have made his first Pro Bowl in 2025 had his knee not failed him in early November. Kraft is expecting to be full go come Week 1, so his comeback season could eventually end up in a Pro Bowl honor if he hits the ground running.
P Daniel Whelan: He should have been a Pro Bowler in 2025. Don't be surprised if the actual honor comes a year late, even if Whelan's 2026 season isn't quite as good.
LB Edgerrin Cooper: The third-year linebacker is slowly but surely gaining recognition as one of the NFL's best young players at the position. Having a tough veteran like Zaire Franklin next to him in 2026 could help fully unlock Cooper's playmaking potential. The position lacks stars, so Cooper -- who can stuff the stat sheet -- could easily emerge as a leader of the next wave of NFL linebackers.
RT Zach Tom: He's been consistently excellent at right tackle, but making a Pro Bowl at offensive tackle in the NFC is incredibly difficult. It will take a special (and healthy) year from Tom and a few of the elite veterans falling off for the Packers right tackle to make his first Pro Bowl. Not impossible. But probably unlikely this year.
WR Christian Watson: The Packers are streamlining things at wide receiver, and Watson -- who got a $92 million extension this offseason -- is the team's top playmaker at the position. His 10-game pace from last season would have put him over 1,000 yards and 10 total scores over a full 17-game season. Can he add more volume in what is expected to be a bigger role? Like offensive tackle, making the Pro Bowl at wide receiver is always difficult.
S Evan Williams: The young safety has been an equal mix of reliability and playmaking ability through two seasons, helping build a reputation as one of the NFL's better young safeties. If he can add more splash plays (see: takeaways) in 2026, Williams will put himself in the Pro Bowl mix.
KR Skyy Moore: The former 49er was one of the NFL's most productive kick/punt returners in 2025. Earning a Pro Bowl nod is possible if Moore can create a few important returns during his first season with the Packers, who are desperate for a boost in the return game.
DL Devonte Wyatt: The 2022 first-round pick has 10-sack potential if he can stay healthy for a full season. Pass-rushing production is always honored, but there are big roadblocks in the NFC: Jalen Carter, Quinnen Williams, and Leonard Williams made the Pro Bowl last year.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Who could be first-time Pro Bowlers for the Packers in 2026?
Continue reading...
Conor Orr of SI.com already laid out a strong case for Love as a first-time Pro Bowler in 2026:
Making the Pro Bowl is difficult, and the honor usually trails behind a player's actual performance. Being voted to the Pro Bowl usually requires a combination of name recognition, a large portfolio of big plays and a lot of winning. And as Orr rightfully notes, breaking through and earning a first Pro Bowl nod is often the toughest hurdle for a good player.
So, who are the Packers' other possible first-time Pro Bowl candidates in 2026?
A list:
TE Tucker Kraft: He would have made his first Pro Bowl in 2025 had his knee not failed him in early November. Kraft is expecting to be full go come Week 1, so his comeback season could eventually end up in a Pro Bowl honor if he hits the ground running.
P Daniel Whelan: He should have been a Pro Bowler in 2025. Don't be surprised if the actual honor comes a year late, even if Whelan's 2026 season isn't quite as good.
LB Edgerrin Cooper: The third-year linebacker is slowly but surely gaining recognition as one of the NFL's best young players at the position. Having a tough veteran like Zaire Franklin next to him in 2026 could help fully unlock Cooper's playmaking potential. The position lacks stars, so Cooper -- who can stuff the stat sheet -- could easily emerge as a leader of the next wave of NFL linebackers.
RT Zach Tom: He's been consistently excellent at right tackle, but making a Pro Bowl at offensive tackle in the NFC is incredibly difficult. It will take a special (and healthy) year from Tom and a few of the elite veterans falling off for the Packers right tackle to make his first Pro Bowl. Not impossible. But probably unlikely this year.
WR Christian Watson: The Packers are streamlining things at wide receiver, and Watson -- who got a $92 million extension this offseason -- is the team's top playmaker at the position. His 10-game pace from last season would have put him over 1,000 yards and 10 total scores over a full 17-game season. Can he add more volume in what is expected to be a bigger role? Like offensive tackle, making the Pro Bowl at wide receiver is always difficult.
S Evan Williams: The young safety has been an equal mix of reliability and playmaking ability through two seasons, helping build a reputation as one of the NFL's better young safeties. If he can add more splash plays (see: takeaways) in 2026, Williams will put himself in the Pro Bowl mix.
KR Skyy Moore: The former 49er was one of the NFL's most productive kick/punt returners in 2025. Earning a Pro Bowl nod is possible if Moore can create a few important returns during his first season with the Packers, who are desperate for a boost in the return game.
DL Devonte Wyatt: The 2022 first-round pick has 10-sack potential if he can stay healthy for a full season. Pass-rushing production is always honored, but there are big roadblocks in the NFC: Jalen Carter, Quinnen Williams, and Leonard Williams made the Pro Bowl last year.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Who could be first-time Pro Bowlers for the Packers in 2026?
Continue reading...
