Back with the Green Bay Packers after a stint in Chicago, massive defensive tackle Jonathan Ford battles for a roster spot as the Packers look to fortify their interior depth.
We're officially 48 days from the start of the 2026 NFL season for the Green Bay Packers. Whether you're ready or not, football season is here.
The Packers kick off their 2026 season against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 13, from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Talk about pressure. The Vikings are certainly in a transitional place as a franchise, but getting going against an NFC North foe ratchets up the intensity of this season from the get-go.
It's a big season for the Packers. There's a belief that they're in a Super Bowl window right now, which means every single game is important. That means the intensity will be there in Week 2 at MetLife Stadium against the New York Jets and it will certainly be there in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons, when the Packers will play at Lambeau Field for the first time in 2026.
There's going to be a lot of proverbial ink spilled on this 2026 season and we here at PackersRoundtable hope that you spend as much time as possible with us talking about the ins and outs and ups and downs of the Packers.
As we prepare for the 2026 season, though, we're going to kick things off with a rankings series looking at the Top 50 Packers heading into the 2025 season.
At No. 48, we have defensive lineman Jonathan Ford
The Top 50 Packers Heading Into 2026: No. 48, Jonathan Ford
Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Jonathan Ford (99) runs through a drill during the 12th practice of training camp on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.The Packers selected four players in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Ford was one of those players, as he was selected No. 234 overall after college career that saw him spend five years with the Miami Hurricanes.
The big thing Ford brings to the table is literally his size. He checks in at 6-foot-5, 338 pounds, and you can't teach that kind of beef.
Ford has spent much of his career as a practice squad player. The Chicago Bears plucked him off the Packers' practice squad and put him on their 53-man roster near the end of their 2024 campaign. He ended up playing in four games in 2024 and eight in 2025, but when the Bears cut him to make roster room for rookie guard Luke Newman, the Packers snatched the big man back up to try to replace an injured Devonte Wyatt.
They then re-signed him to a one-year deal this offseason.
2025 Synopsis:
In eight games with the Bears and one with the Packers, Ford notched six total tackles (two solo), and a half "stuff".
Notable Quotables:
"Ford's experience and familiarity with the organization make him a legitimate contender (to make the roster), and he could ultimately earn a practice-squad role if he fails to crack the initial 53-man roster. -Dan Saia of Cheesehead TV.
Projected Role in 2026:
The Packers traded starting defensive lineman Colby Wooden this offseason and Devonte Wyatt is coming off a major injury. Second-year players Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse can certainly play a role as depth pieces behind Wyatt and veteran signee Javon Hargrave, but Ford is also now a veteran and his size can play a vital role for the Packers as a backup.
If he doesn't make the initial 53-man roster, the Packers will undoubtedly try to stash Ford on the practice squad in the hopes of keeping him around for "call-up" possibilities during the season.
Previous Rankings:
