In the NFL world, you’ll frequently hear analysts, coaches, and others discuss players taking a “leap”. For anyone unfamiliar, a leap usually happens after a few seasons in the league. Players adjust to the speed and complexities of the pro game and polish their preparation habits, maturity, training, film study, and other nuances that lead to NFL success. Different players develop at different speeds, of course. Some are immediately impactful, others never quite get there, but for most, the process of growing into an NFL role is gradual. 

In any given year, a team might have a small handful of players who make a “leap”. But with these 2025 Packers, it often feels as if the entire roster is making a leap – and perhaps they are.

This feeling shouldn’t come as a total surprise. For three consecutive years, the Packers have fielded the league’s youngest team. Last Thursday night, the Commanders had twenty-five players over 29 years old. The Packers, by stark comparison, had three.  

The Packers 53-man roster features 8 players in their second year (Morgan, Cooper, Bullard, Williams, Lloyd, Hopper, Melton, Hadden, Jennings), 14 players in their third year (Van Ness, Musgrave, Kraft, Reed, Wooden, Wicks, K. Brooks, C. Brooks, Valentine, Anderson, Oladapo, Sims, Whelan, Wilson), and 10 players in their fourth year (Q. Walker, R. Walker, Wyatt, Watson, Rhyan, Doubs, Tom, Enagbare, FitzPatrick, Kinnard, Willis). 32 players in all.  

Green Bay’s “leap” vibe extends even further when you consider that Jordan Love, in his 6th year, is only in his third year starting, and Keisean Nixon, though beginning his seventh year, has certainly ascended into new professional territory as the Packers’ CB1. 

After a thrilling, and somewhat unexpected, playoff run in ‘23, Packers fans were full of optimism for the future. But last season began with a Love injury in Brazil, and closed with a receiver group decimated by injuries in Philadelphia. In between those battered bookends, the Packers were a troubling 1-5 in the NFC North. For Cheeseheads, it was fair to wonder – would this team ever get there? 

Given those doubts, there’s been a "suddenness" to the Packers’ dominating 2-0 start that feels remarkable. Without question, Micah Parsons has been the primary catalyst – both his standout play on the field, but just as much, the way he immediately supersized the organization’s confidence and expectations. 

No question, Parsons has been the match. But the gasoline-soaked kindling has been Green Bay’s army of hard-working, high-skilled, well-coached players all making that leap together. This group trajectory was no accident, but rather, the vision of Packers GM Brian Gutekunst. At the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, Gutekunst made that clear, saying, "Everybody would like guys with experience, but hopefully people will realize that sometimes it's better to be young and let these guys grow together.” 

Through two games, that growth has been absolutely everywhere. Devonte Wyatt leads the defense with 11 pressures (he had 12 pressures through 11 weeks in 2024). Lukas Van Ness, who had 5 pressures through the first two months of 2024, already has 5 this year. Carrington Valentine, in coverage for 77 snaps through two games, has allowed only two catches for 20 yards. Edgerrin Cooper, an emerging superstar, leads the NFL in “stops” (defined by @NextGenStats as a tackle creating a negative change in EPA). Cooper has 15 of those in two games. Cooper isn’t alone, either. Running mate Quay Walker has 17 tackles, and an emerging Javon Bullard already has 14 tackles. 

As a unit, the Packers are the first team in the Super Bowl era to start a season with 4+ sacks, 60 or fewer rushing yards, and 200 or fewer net passing yards allowed in back-to-back games. 

On the offensive side of the ball, Tucker Kraft is tied for first in receiving touchdowns and leads all TEs in receiving grade and passer rating when targeted (158.3). As good as Kraft has been, Luke Musgrave has also stepped up with some key catches. The Packers wide receivers, notorious for dropped passes just a year ago, have yet to drop a single pass this year. And their conductor, Jordan Love, has been spectacular with 4 touchdowns against 0 interceptions. 

As dominant as these Packers have been, it still seems like there’s more leaping to do. It feels like it’s only a matter of time for newcomer, Matthew Golden. Second round pick, Anthony Belton, forced into early action, has performed admirably, as has last year’s 1st round selection, Jordan Morgan. Even 4th rounder Barryn Sorrell came through with a sack in his first outing. Looking ahead, the Packers can expect boosts from the return of Christian Watson, and eventually, Jayden Reed.

Green Bay’s tidal wave of young and ascending players is something very unusual in a sport with a constantly-shifting roster of 53 players. The credit goes to Gutekunst and the front office for acquiring these players, but equally, to Matt LaFleur and his staff for coaching them up. No question, exciting times are ahead in Green Bay.