RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 4 sourcesGreen Bay Packers safety Javon Bullard (7) greets fans as he walks to practice at training camp this week.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
The Green Bay Packers held their second training camp practice on Thursday, another non-padded workout that lasted roughly 1 hour, 40 minutes.
Here’s the good, bad and ugly from practice No. 2.
THE GOOD
BULLISH ON BULLARD: Green Bay third-year safety Javon Bullard played 64.6 % of the snaps last season.
“I played more as a rookie,” said Bullard, who played 72.8% his first season.
Look for new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon to use the gifted Bullard more — and in more ways — than former coordinator Jeff Hafley did.
Bullard could be featured in a hybrid role, in which he can show off his coverage skills, speed and tackling ability.
On Thursday, Bullard made one of the biggest plays of the day when he forced a fumble after a short pass to wideout/return ace Skyy Moore early in practice. Bullard delivered a perfectly timed punch to the ball and knocked it free.
“It's definitely a skill,” Bullard said of forcing fumbles. “It's definitely something that I'm trying to put in my bag, just watching guys, especially linebackers. Like Fred Warner, I think he's a pro at it. But really just keeping your mind on the ball at all times. I gotta get the ball. We need the ball as a defense.”
According to Pro Football Focus, Bullard finished in the top-12 in passer rating allowed last season. He doesn’t have an interception in. his first two years, though, hasn’t forced a fumble and has two career fumble recoveries.
To help improve his turnover production, Bullard took up boxing this offseason. While Bullard didn't do any live sparring, he believes the hand-eye coordination from boxing will help his timing in forcing fumbles.
“It’s one of those things you really can’t explain,” Bullard said. “It’s kind of like boxing. Like, I can’t tell you he going to do this and then you knock his ass out, you know what I mean? When he trying to get it really right, you got to see exactly the point of the ball you punching at.
“I punched my ass off last year and I didn’t get nothing out. I’m hitting helmets, I’m hitting everything but the ball. It’s really about precision and accuracy. You only got a split-second where that ball is at its open point, basically. So, that timing is impeccable. You got to be right on point.”
ALL THAT GLITTERS IS GOLD-EN: Second-year wideout Matthew Golden had a tremendous training camp in 2025, but a somewhat quiet rookie year.
He’s off to a terrific start again, and hopes it leads to a big 2026.
On day two of practice, Golden had a 24-yard reception against Carrington Valentine and a 20-yard catch vs. Keisean Nixon.
“I think just the experience,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Golden. “He's been in big moments, he's had some big time plays and big moments, and just can hopefully continue to build upon what he did. Early indications are promising.”
Golden had 29 receptions for 361 yards and no touchdowns in the regular season last year.
Golden then had his best game of the year in the Packers’ biggest contest — a 31-27 Wild Card loss to Chicago. Golden finished that night with four receptions for 84 yards and a breathtaking 23-yard touchdown.
“I feel like for me it’s just a little bit of what I can do,” Golden said of the playoff game vs. Chicago. “Obviously I’ve got great teammates around me. I had a couple guys make some blocks for me and all I had to do was make some guys miss to get in the end zone.
“But I’ve always got confidence in myself, everything I can do, just going out there and having that attack mindset. I know whenever I’m on the field, having that mindset, I feel like I can do a lot of good things for the team.”
KEY RETURNEE: Veteran cornerback Keisean Nixon returned to practice after missing Day 1 with hamstring tightness.
“I just woke up and my (expletive) was tight, so I just really wanted a scan,” Nixon said. “So they told me I had to chill for a day, go get a scan. So I was ready to go today for real though.”
Nixon, the Packers’ No. 1 cornerback, is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $6 million this season. Some speculated Nixon was trying to make a statement about his contract by missing Day 1, but he said that wasn’t the case,
“Nah, I tweaked my hamstring,” he said. “Like literally waking up, it was sore. They just told me to go get it scanned. They wasn’t really trippin’ about me practicing yesterday.”
JACK OF ALL TRADES: With long snapper Matt Orzech sidelined due to a calf injury, center Sean Rhyan handled long snapping duties with aplomb.
“It was kind of something we were just training last year for emergencies, and what do you know?” Rhyan said. “I was told I was the backup, so I might as well be able to do it.”
Rhyan certainly showed he can do it, handling the snapping as rookie kicker Trey Smack went 3-for-3 on 25-yard field goals.
Rhyan said he didn't start long snapping until last season, but he’s been a quick study and would handle those duties if Orzech went down in a game.
“I was trying to not be bad, you know,” Rhayn said. “But No. 1 rule is just get it back there.”
MAKING SOME NOISE: Jonathan Baldwin, who spent most of last year on the practice squad, is hoping to win a roster spot. Baldwin helped his cause by intercepting No. 2 quarterback Tyrod Taylor late in practice and returning it for a touchdown.
“It definitely boosts my confidence, but I got do it again tomorrow, you know what I mean?” Baldwin said. “One play don’t define me. So, as long as I’m being consistent and stacking days, that’s really all that matters.”
Baldwin, who played mostly safety last year, has been the No. 2 nickel corner to open camp.
“I ain't going to lie, Jonathan my dawg, man,” nickel back Javon Bullard said. “I love John-O. I think he's a hell of a player. I think he can help us. I think he's a sponge that&...
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