Fine, let's have the MarShawn Lloyd conversation

The Packers seem increasingly optimistic about MarShawn Lloyd's health and his chance to finally contribute. What might that look like, and how could he change the offense?

Back in the early months of the NFL offseason, the Green Bay Packers seemed highly guarded about their expectations for MarShawn Lloyd.

When asked in April if the team could depend on the oft-injured running back, general manager Brian Gutekunst deflected, saying, “We can count on his talent.” Running-backs coach Ben Sirmans spoke cautiously as well, offering, “We’re very optimistic, but we’ve all been optimistic before.” Even head coach Matt LaFleur seemed subdued about Lloyd’s outlook: “He’s got to show that consistency over the course of OTAs into training camp into the preseason, and we’ll see where we go from there.”

None of that came as a surprise. At the conclusion of the 2025 season, Lloyd had amassed only 35 total snaps in the NFL, including the preseason. That limited NFL résumé came courtesy of four lower-body muscle injuries, an ankle sprain, and an emergency appendectomy. Lloyd didn’t appear in a single non-exhibition game last year, instead enduring two stints on injured reserve.

But more recently, the Packers have sung a slightly different tune about Lloyd’s prospects. Rather than focus so heavily on all the time missed, the team’s leadership has begun to express more positivity about what the running back might do later this year.

“Every day he’s out there and doing it, I have a little bit more [confidence],” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said of Lloyd on Wednesday. “It’s just one of those things, with how his career has gone so far, I just want to take it one day at a time with him. Every day he’s out there, he’s doing a great job. He’s competing. I’m very optimistic and hopeful that it works out and we’re good.”

Even the previously deflective GM sounds upbeat about Lloyd of late.

“Every time he’s gotten an opportunity and he’s been healthy and out there, he’s been impactful,” Gutekunst said of Lloyd this week. “He’s continuing to do that. I’m excited for him. Again, it’s very early. We’ve got a long way to go. But when he’s out there, he’s making plays.

“He always kind of has done that since he’s been here when he’s been able to be out there.”

Lloyd seems similarly sanguine about his trajectory, at least based on his actions. After scoring a touchdown during Thursday’s practice, he celebrated with a backflip. That feat of athleticism scared his teammates and head coach -- quarterback Jordan Love called it “dicey,” and LaFleur told him not to do it again -- but it underscores how much has changed for Lloyd since the end of last season.

So, with an increasing number of signs pointing to Lloyd actually playing meaningful snaps for the Packers this season, the time has come to consider what his role could look like and how he could change the offense.