Logo

A New Preseason Hero is Born in Green Bay

Posted August 21, 2025

The preseason used to be mundane. Before, you’d just check the paper to see if anything of note happened, hope for no injuries, and move on. With the trimmed schedule, staffs lean harder into August reps to sharpen live timing for September. Green Bay has no interest in drifting into the regular season with rust.

Naturally, when the starters hit the bench, down-roster players get to shine and make their roster cases. This August, it’s an undrafted rookie running back turning heads at Lambeau: Amar Johnson.

Johnson arrived as a UDFA on May 2 out of South Dakota State, where he piled up more than 3,100 rushing yards and 28 TDs. Nothing was handed to him—only a playbook and a shot.

Taking the Long Way

Week 1 vs. the Jets, the spotlight finally found him. Trailing late, Johnson set up and then broke a 39-yard touchdown—Green Bay’s lone trip to the end zone—finishing the night with 7 carries for 67 yards and the first Lambeau Leap of the season. It didn’t change the result, but it changed the conversation. 

Showing Out the Next Weekend

Seven days later at Indianapolis, he did it again—this time to tie the game 16–16 with a physical 9-yard TD run in the fourth quarter, setting the stage for Sean Clifford’s winner in a 23–19 comeback. One week, one role. The next week, a bigger one. That’s how August jobs are won. 

Up next: the last audition—Seahawks at Packers, Saturday, Aug. 23 (kickoff 3:00 p.m. CDT) at Lambeau Field. For the staff, it’s the final look at the bottom of the depth chart. For Johnson, it’s another chance to make the numbers impossible to ignore.

Cutdown day is coming fast—Tuesday, Aug. 26 (by 4:00 p.m. ET). Clipboards, grades, and tough calls. For Green Bay, it’s a roster exercise. For Amar Johnson, it’s the moment a summer spark can become a seat in the room

Comments (0)

Loading comments...

Packers Offensive Line Leader Elgton Jenkins Praises Two Rookies for Making the Unit More Complete: “They Are the Future of the Packers”
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Ahead of the new game week, Elgton Jenkins spoke about his leadership role on the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line—both a responsibility and a privilege. He said that, alongside the veterans in the room, the goal is to “pull” the younger players up to the standard every day and turn each practice into real progress. Jenkins reserved special praise for two rookie offensive linemen: Anthony Belton (OT, Round 2, No. 54) and John Williams (OL, Round 7, No. 250). Belton has the profile of a modern edge tackle, while Williams is a flexible piece who can play tackle/guard depending on the package—very much in line with the Packers’ philosophy of building dependable depth. In pass protection, Jenkins emphasized that Belton keeps his shoulders square, stays calm versus blitz looks, and shows enough anchor when defenders try to long-arm him on the edge; Williams communicates well through twists/stunts, executes clean pass-offs in the pocket, and helps keep Jordan Love a stable platform. In the run game, both rookies expand the toolbox—from inside/outside zone that demand quick reach and firm combos to gap/power concepts that require precise second-level fits. “They are the future of the Packers — these two young guys bring the energy, discipline, and standard an offensive line needs to dominate. My job is to keep them on track so we get better every week.” — Elgton Jenkins said. Jenkins acknowledged that a dense schedule and “multiple” defensive fronts are forcing the O-line to mature quickly in high-leverage moments: third-and-long, two-minute drills, and slide/half-slide protections against pressure from multiple sources. “Once the young guys start to ‘catch the rhythm,’ the whole unit pops at the same time,” he said. Expert view: From a technical standpoint, Belton fits vertical/45 sets on the edge, is improving his anchor versus bull rushes, and is increasingly confident holding the corner without constant chip help; Williams brings the frame, tight hand usage, and low pad level, plus reliable MIKE-point ID and clean climbs to the second level—traits that set him up for early swing duties (tackle/guard). Within the Packers’ developmental framework—where disciplined footwork and communication are priorities—this duo has a clear pathway to grow from late-day draft picks into meaningful contributors.