GREEN BAY – There are no guarantees this will happen, but it sure would be neat.
Bo Melton just might play in all three phases of Sunday’s regular-season finale at Minnesota.
The receiver-turned-cornerback-turned-back-to-receiver and always special-teams regular could be called upon for all those duties against the Vikings, as the Packers are looking to rest as many starters as they reasonably can prior to the playoffs.
How does Melton feel about the possibility? Bring it on.
“I’m not like, scared of opportunity,” he said this week. “It definitely would be fun. I mean, that’s the fun part of it all, being able to play both sides. That’s something I want to tell my son as he’s growing up.”
For all the attention paid to Melton’s switch to defense in training camp and the preseason, he actually has yet to play a regular-season snap on that side of the ball. He’s maintained all his roles on special teams, as a kickoff returner, punt flyer and others, while catching four passes for 107 yards at receiver, including a 45-yard TD against the Bears at Lambeau Field.
That score set off an eruption on the Green Bay sideline, an indication of how beloved Melton is in the locker room for the all-out effort and positive attitude he puts into everything he does.
“I mean, you can’t make it up, right?” Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. “He’s done an outstanding job, and I think it all starts with his approach to the game, to accepting any challenge, and just attacking it head on. I can’t say enough great things. I know I’ve said it before, just about Bo Melton, the type of competitor he is, and just never wanting to count him out.”
The season hasn’t been without its hiccups. Melton and sixth offensive lineman Darian Kinnard got crossed up as to which was supposed to line up on or off the line of scrimmage on a play against the Eagles, and an illegal formation penalty wiped out a big completion to Christian Watson.
Then last week against the Ravens, right after QB Clayton Tune entered the game for an injured Malik Willis in the fourth quarter, Tune’s first pass was a wobbly one that glanced off Melton’s hands and was intercepted, effectively ending the Packers’ comeback attempt.
“Definitely want to have that one back for sure,” Melton said.
Sunday could be his chance to create a lifelong memory as a pro football player, and it’ll be at U.S. Bank Stadium, where he recorded his lone career 100-yard receiving game back in 2023.
It’s hard to say whether he’ll get that first defensive action, though, after the Packers signed three practice-squad defensive backs to the active roster and claimed former All-Pro corner Trevon Diggs off waivers from Dallas.
There’s much to be determined as far as playing time, but rest assured Melton will be ready, as he practiced on defense this week for the first time in several weeks.
“I would say this, if Bo has to go out, and he does play defense in this game, I’d bet on him,” defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said. “If he’s got to cover one of the best in the game in Justin Jefferson, he’s not going to back down. And that’s why you love a guy like Bo. It’s the makeup, and you just root for guys like that.”
Asked how many total snaps he could handle if he’s playing all three phases, Melton simply answered, “We’re about to find out,” which was exactly the response LaFleur gave to the same question.
“That’d be a helluva Sunday,” LaFleur said. “Let’s make it happen.”
Respect for a rival: This also could be the last game in the decorated 14-year career of Harrison Smith, though the Minnesota safety hasn’t yet announced whether he’s retiring or returning to play in 2026.
A first-round draft pick in 2012, Smith has played his entire career for the Vikings, and Sunday will mark his 27th game against the Packers (including one playoff contest), his most against any opponent.
“This guy’s a nightmare,” LaFleur said of facing Smith, crediting his ability to get his teammates aligned properly but not give away what they’re up to in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ complex scheme. “I think he’s part of the secret sauce.
“You can tell he’s one of THE guys that can direct traffic, and this goes before this regime. You saw with his ability to do it in (Mike) Zimmer’s system as well. He’s as intelligent as they come.”
