Packers' 2015 preseason slate set, beginning with visit to New England
It was nearly the Super Bowl XLIX matchup. Instead, a mid-August game between the Packers and Patriots will begin Green Bay's 2015 preseason schedule.
Though specific dates for the preseason games are still to be determined, the Packers found out Thursday they will travel to New England (Aug. 13-17) and to Pittsburgh (Aug. 20-24) before hosting the Philadelphia Eagles (Aug. 27-30) and New Orleans Saints (Sept. 3-4).
This is a later start to the season than last year. In 2014, Green Bay kicked off the NFL's regular season on Sept. 4. In 2015, the Packers could still be playing exhibition action on that day.
None of Green Bay's preseason games will be broadcast on national television.
The majority of these games are uncommon preseason opponents for the Packers. Green Bay has not faced the Patriots in the preseason since 2005, hasn't played the Steelers in the preseason since 2007 and hasn't had a preseason game against Philadelphia since 2002.
This is the fourth time in the last five years that the Packers will play their opening exhibition game away from Lambeau Field. It's also the fourth consecutive year in which none of Green Bay's preseason opponents are on the team's regular-season schedule.
The NFL is expected to release the schedule for the regular season in late April.
Follow Paul Imig on Twitter
