Quick takeaways from Packers Family Night practice 2025: Valentine continues to impress

USA Today

6 days ago

The Green Bay Packers were reunited with a packed Lambeau Field for Family Night on Saturday, with almost 60,000 fans in attendance to watch Green Bay's annual open practice.
Defense ruled the night, with the offense failing to find the end zone until Will Sheppard hauled in a touchdown right at the end of practice.
Here were the key moments from Family Night 2025:
Biggest play
Carrington Valentine continued his strong start to training camp by making the highlight play of the night. After stonewalling Matthew Golden on a deep route, he reached out to pick off Jordan Love's pass for his fourth interception of the summer, stumbling to the turf after hauling it in. An impressive play by an increasingly impressive player.
Best moment
The punt catch contest is quickly becoming a fan favorite at Family Night, as Packers returners as well as local youth football players try their hand at catching and holding on to as many consecutive punts as possible. Romeo Doubs, who had a strong practice, held onto six footballs at once, dropped one as he waited for the seventh, then casually caught another with one hand. After last year's heroic effort by a fan to catch three consecutive punts, more memories were made as Keisean Nixon encouraged and backed up one of this year's young participants, keeping the ball in the air for him to bring in. Watching Packers stars dapping up the youngster after the drill was a great reminder of what makes Family Night special.
Standout player
It will be tough to crack Green Bay's safety room, with five strong candidates in Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Kitan Oladapo and Zayne Anderson, but former undrafted rookie Omar Brown is giving himself a real chance. He had three picks on Saturday night, including two off Malik Willis, bringing his tally up to five for the summer. The highlight was an acrobatic grab as he fell to the ground. Brown is making a real impression.
Of note
At this time last year, plenty of attention was being paid to Green Bay's kicker battle, consisting of a few undesirable options. A stark contrast to this year, as Brandon McManus has well and truly ended the Packers' turbulent search for a kicker. He went eight for eight on the night, including kicks of 50, 51 and 54 yards, and is now an incredible 36 of 37 in training camp.
Injuries
The only new injury entering Family Night was Tucker Kraft, who missed out with a groin issue which Matt LaFleur indicated is day to day. The list of Packers not practicing was as follows:
Zach Tom dropped out late in practice, before Malik Heath hobbled off after making a catch and going to the ground during a two-minute drill with the ones.
Quote of the night
'I don't think I've ever had a cheese curd.' - Packers legend Larry 'Rock' McCarren with easily the most shocking revelation of the night.