GREEN BAY, Wis. -- They insist it wasn't planned, but the three newest members of the Green Bay Packers -- tight ends Jonnu Smith and Mark Redman plus running back Kaleb Johnson -- were lined up side by side by side in warmups before the first practice with their new team Tuesday.
"I guess the new guys are trying to figure it out," Smith said.
Perhaps more importantly, it's coach Matt LaFleur and offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich who need to figure out how quickly -- and how much -- the trio can contribute when the season opens on Sept. 13 at the Minnesota Vikings.
None of the three will have to be the primary player at his position, but the Packers could use at least some help from all of them.
Johnson, who was acquired Sunday in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for a sixth-round pick in 2028, joins a backfield that is filled with uncertainty. The Packers won't have their top running back, Josh Jacobs, who is on the commissioner exempt list while his legal situation plays out.
The rest of the running back group includes MarShawn Lloyd, the former third-round pick who has played in one game in two NFL seasons, third-down/pass protector Chris Brooks and practice squad member Pierre Strong Jr.
While the Packers may have stopped holding their breath about whether Lloyd can stay healthy -- by making it through training camp unscathed, he's put together the longest stretch of good health since he came into the league in 2024 -- it's not like they're going to suddenly give a guy who has six career NFL carries a Jacobs-like workload.
"That's to be determined," LaFleur said of Lloyd on Tuesday. "Who knows? I couldn't tell you right now, so we'll see how he's feeling. He's had a really steady camp. I think he did an outstanding job. Obviously his availability has been critical and we'll just see how it goes."
The three newest Packers: TE Jonnu Smith (18), TE Mark Redman (86) and RB Kaleb Johnson (26). pic.twitter.com/dJEzMLZucT
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) September 1, 2026
Johnson had 28 carries as a rookie last season for the Steelers. The third-rounder's most notable play was a botched kickoff return in Week 2, when he let a live ball bounce past him and into the end zone, where the Seahawks recovered it for a touchdown.
LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst both mentioned how well Johnson performed in college at Iowa and noted that it's a similar scheme to what the Packers run. Iowa's offensive coordinator Tim Lester spent a season on LaFleur's staff in Green Bay before going to the Hawkeyes.
"Kaleb's a guy that we really liked coming out of Iowa," LaFleur said. "I've talked to Tim Lester about him a little bit. Certainly I think he's really good at the outside zone stuff. ... He's a young, talented player.
"We're excited to get him in here and certainly he's got a lot to learn in terms of how we go about everything and from a schematic standpoint, making sure he's dialed in, not only in our run game but obviously in the passing game, as well, whether it's protections or his route assignment."
At tight end, half the position group is new in the last few days.
The Packers agreed to terms with Smith on Thursday. To start the first team meeting with Smith in Green Bay, LaFleur introduced him.
"I'm like trying to look where he's sitting; he's sitting right next to [quarterback] Jordan Love," LaFleur said. "I'm like, that's a vet move, so he knows how to work it."
The veteran spent last season with the Steelers but also spent one year with LaFleur in Tennessee when LaFleur was the offensive coordinator in 2018.
"I only had him that one year and, obviously, he was able to know my talents and my capabilities and my abilities," Smith said of LaFleur. "I was kind of in this system that he's established offensively for a while now in my career. So that also played into account of my decision of coming here."
Redman, who was acquired in a trade Sunday from the Los Angeles Rams for a seventh-round pick in 2028, also has some indirect connection to the Packers' offense. He played last season for the Rams. LaFleur and Rams coach Sean McVay are not only close friends but also run a similar offense.
"[LaFleur's] brother was there last year, Mike, now I'm here with him and I know they've been together for quite a handful of years on and off," Redman said. "Got here and [tight ends coach John Dunn] started talking about the offense and I was like, 'wait, I know that play [and] I know that play.'
"Obviously there's going to be some new stuff, but whatever package they're going to use me in and getting my hand in the dirt, a lot of its carry over, so it's pretty nice to be able to go out there and play Day 1. Super helpful."
At least the Packers still have starting tight end Tucker Kraft, even if it's on a snap limit since he hasn't played in a game since his tearing his ACL on Nov. 2. Both he and the Packers have tried to get a contract extension done before Week 1 but have yet to come to terms. Kraft, however, said that won't keep him from playing.
"I will be on the field to play for the Green Bay Packers, regardless of any contract situation, because I love this team," Kraft said.