Packers Announce Season-Long Captains for 2025 After Statement Win
Green Bay opened the new NFL season in style, silencing their divisional rival Detroit Lions with a 27-13 victory. The win was more than just points on the board — it symbolized a team stepping into a new identity.
Head coach Matt LaFleur’s squad looked sharp across all three phases, blending veteran poise with youthful energy. Fans in Titletown could feel it: this version of the Packers carries both confidence and Super Bowl ambition into 2025.
For the first time since 2022, players wore the distinctive “C” patches on their jerseys. LaFleur confirmed afterward that the locker room had voted to re-establish permanent captains, signaling leadership stability for the long grind ahead.
Quarterback Jordan Love was the first name on the list, a natural choice after taking full command of the offense in his second full season as starter. His composure in the pocket and leadership presence make him the unquestioned face of the team.
Joining him is running back Josh Jacobs, who delivered punishing runs against Detroit and set the tone physically. Jacobs, a free-agent prize, has quickly become a vocal leader in the locker room and a cornerstone in LaFleur’s balanced attack.
Packers players elected season-long captains for the first time since 2022, three on O, three on D and one on ST⬇️
Jordan Love
Josh Jacobs
Tucker Kraft
Rashan Gary
Quay Walker
Xavier McKinney
Isaiah McDuffie
LaFleur said they have to “set the standard and uphold the standard.”— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) September 9, 2025
On offense, tight end Tucker Kraft was also elevated to captain. Known for his toughness and reliability, Kraft embodies the grit Green Bay expects on every snap. Defensively, Quay Walker and Rashan Gary were honored, reinforcing their status as enforcers.
Linebacker Isaiah McDuffie and safety Xavier McKinney round out the seven-man group, giving Green Bay leaders at all three levels of the defense. Each was praised for consistency, discipline, and the respect they command from teammates.
LaFleur summed up the decision: “Those guys earned it. There’s no off switch when you wear that ‘C.’ They set the standard in our building and on the field. Now it’s on them to lead this team forward.”
Lions Rookie RB MAC Star Retires After Team Waives Him Ahead of Preseason Week 3 vs. Texans
Detroit, MI – July 18, 2025
The Detroit Lions entered their final stretch of preseason with a surprising roster move that sent ripples across the locker room. A rookie running back, once viewed as an intriguing depth piece, has decided to step away.
The news comes just before the team’s Week 3 matchup against the Houston Texans. What began as a standard waiver transaction quickly turned into something far more significant — a young player choosing to retire before his career ever began.
This isn’t about a lack of opportunity or desire to compete. Instead, it reflects the unforgiving nature of professional football, where dreams often collide with the harsh realities of injuries, fatigue, and the brutal pace of the league.
“The NFL is a dream for many, but for me it became a battle I couldn’t win with my own body. In the end, I chose health, family, and peace over the chase. Life feels fuller being with the people I love than chasing money I don’t need.”
Those words came from Anthony Tyus III, an undrafted free agent signed by Detroit after a standout season at Ohio. Once the leading rusher in the Mid-American Conference, he now walks away from the NFL before his first snap.
At Ohio, Tyus rushed for 1,234 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024, helping his team capture the MAC Championship. He earned All-MAC honors, cementing himself as one of the most reliable and productive backs in the conference.
Prior to that, he spent three years at Northwestern, where he flashed glimpses of potential but battled for consistency. His transfer to Ohio brought him new life, and his breakout season suggested a pro opportunity was within reach.
Instead, his time in Detroit lasted only weeks. Waived before preseason Week 3, Tyus chose to retire rather than chase another opportunity elsewhere. For him, the game had taken too much — and life offered more beyond football.
