During a joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay lost all four two-minute periods. The sequence began with the first-team offense stalling near the goal line, followed by a defensive stand that allowed a touchdown. The second-team offense ended its drive with an interception, and the second-team defense surrendered another score. For quarterback Jordan Love, the late-frames’ results cast a shadow over an otherwise promising start.
Wednesday marked the final public practice of training camp, before laying the groundwork for the preseason finale. With several key starters likely to sit in that game, Green Bay could have limited full-speed reps before Week 1, making these late drills particularly consequential.
The concern over finishing isn’t new. Head coach Matt LaFleur has continually emphasized finishing after the team’s late-season collapse in the previous year, which saw a strong 9-3-1 start unravel into a five-game losing streak to end the campaign. The practice gave LaFleur another tangible example to address in team meetings.
Love’s performance in the session showed potential. He completed eight of his first ten passes and connected on a 45-yard touchdown against double coverage, illustrating explosive plays early on. However, the offense eventually stalled near the end of the period. A sequence noted in the team’s recap described Green Bay being stopped at the 5-yard line, followed by a third-down incompletion and a sack to close out the period.
Special teams and protection issues also surfaced. A pass-interference penalty helped set up Arizona’s score against Green Bay’s top unit, while the No. 2 offense threw an interception and the second-team defense allowed another touchdown. The four two-minute sessions, all losses, underscored a recurring challenge: finishing drives and maintaining execution under clock pressure.
Love acknowledged the emotional intensity of joint practices but stressed the need to dial back distractions and finish when it matters most. The coaching staff has long maintained that finishing would be a recurring, teachable moment throughout the camp.
There were positives to take away as well. Love’s early efficiency stood out, and Green Bay generated several long gains against Arizona’s defense. The practice also provided starters with a more competitive test than they will likely face in the upcoming preseason finale, offering valuable insights before Week 1.
Still, the closing periods carried weight due to last season’s timing concerns. While it’s unlikely to replicate fourth-quarter pressure in August, two-minute drill work offers one of the closest practice environments to real-game conditions for evaluating clock management, ball security, and decision-making in obvious passing situations. On the other side, the defense must get off the field in drive-ending moments where the offense clearly needs a first down or TD.
Overall, Green Bay demonstrated the ability to start fast against another team, but the ending needs refinement before the games count. The team will likely continue addressing finishing, clock management, and situational football as it moves toward the regular season.
If you’re following the team’s progress, stay tuned for further updates as the coaching staff continues to sharpen execution in critical moments.
