The Most Important Packers: No. 28 — DT Chris McClellan
Key takeaways
- Sports Money The Most Important Packers: No. 28 — DT Chris Mc Clellan By Rob Reischel,
- Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights.
- Green Bay headed into the 2025 season with one of the NFL’s top rosters, then traded for star defensive end Micah Parsons 10 days before the year began.
Sports Money The Most Important Packers: No. 28 — DT Chris Mc Clellan By Rob Reischel,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Rob Reischel is a Wisconsin-based reporter who covers the NFL.Follow Author Jul 01, 2026, 11:59am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Summary The Green Bay Packers endured a "damn-near embarrassing" 2025 season, finishing 9-8-1 and blowing a 21-3 Wild Card lead to arch-rival Chicago. Coach Matt LaFleur, entering his eighth season without a Super Bowl, oversaw a team that notoriously collapsed, losing three games after holding double-digit leads, including twice against the Bears. This improbable streak had 1-in-250,000 odds. With free agency losses and no first-round pick, the Packers hope third-round defensive tackle Chris McClellan can bolster their struggling defense. Drafted 77th overall, McClellan is projected to anchor the nose tackle position in the new 3-4 scheme, with coaches praising his versatility, size, and advanced football IQ as a potential difference-maker.
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) is sacked by Missouri's Chris McClellan, top right, during a game in 2025.Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reservedThe Green Bay Packers were arguably the most disappointing team in football last year. And perhaps no one did less with more than Packers coach Matt LaFleur.