1-on-1 with Packers rookie DT Chris McClellan

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) — Before the second day of the 2026 NFL Draft was over, it was clear how badly the Packers’ front office wanted Missouri defensive tackle Chris McClellan to be in Green Bay.

The Packers traded up seven spots in the third round to select McClellan at No. 77 overall, sending their original third-round pick, No. 84, along with a fifth-round pick, No. 160, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to move up and grab McClellan — adding another body to a defensive line room that lacked some depth

Local 5 Sports caught up with McClellan after the Packers’ 42-38 preseason win over the Cardinals.

Click the video above for the full conversation.

TRANSCRIPT:

FOWLER: Chris, how was your first experience playing a game at Lambeau?

MCCLELLAN: It was awesome, man. It was definitely a bigger turnout than Family Night, but it was close, though. So that just goes to show a lot about how much Packer Nation comes out and supports us. But definitely going on there, especially starting the game off today, was an awesome experience.

FOWLER: I think I asked you after Family Night if the intensity of that practice would match what it would feel like in Game 2. You said absolutely not. Still feel the same way?

MCCLELLAN: Yes, 100%. So, like, just going into a game is always going to be bigger because you’re going against somebody else. And it was a little strange for me to just be in our first joint practice, facing the same opponents in practice and then going out there winning the game. But still, the intensity compared to a practice is not even close.

FOWLER: Your experience in Green Bay from minicamp, rookie minicamp all the way through summer to training camp. Where do you feel like you’ve grown the most in your game and what you’ve kind of experienced here in Green Bay?

MCCLELLAN: I would say discipline. You know, like a lot of the times I feel like in college you take on different plays and you’re just kind of out there going off raw talent. But in this league, everybody’s a dominant force physically, so it’s more of a mental game. So I feel like mentally I’ve grown. My knowledge of the game has grown even more, especially with guys like Hargrave and Wyatt here to help me out.

So just the mental aspect, seeing stuff like normal for me, formation, definition and backfield and things of that nature just helped me kind of play a little bit faster.

FOWLER: So after this one, are you itching for Week 1 in Minneapolis and that first home game here against the Falcons?

MCCLELLAN: I mean, you know, division opponent, first game on the road, I’m excited. I’ve always kind of liked going on the road a little bit more, though. You know, I like playing the villain role. So, you know, going out there getting booed to kind of rouse me, you know, so I’m super excited to go out there Week 1 and get to play against Minnesota.

FOWLER: I saw some Missouri fans in the crowd. I saw some people cheering your name. You see that too?

MCCLELLAN: Man, I seen a lot. I unfortunately did not see you, so, you know, for the Missouri fans out there in Missouri. But it was so many people out there today, and there was so much love. It was an awesome experience just from, you know, as you can see, from the start of the game to the finish. It was out there cheering their hearts out.

So, super awesome experience.

FOWLER: So, three preseason games, you want to keep the momentum going. Green Bay Packers will be Super Bowl champs if…

MCCLELLAN: If we, you know, continue to stay healthy and keep our foot in the grass. You know, like Coach [Matt] LaFleur always stresses to us, finish. You know, so I feel like as long as we can go out here and start games fast and finish games faster, we can win a Super Bowl.

FOWLER: I love that. Cut-down day on Sunday. What will you kind of do the next 48 hours?

MCCLELLAN: Man, tomorrow we have a day off, so I’ll come up here, get some treatment, and then Sunday we’ll practice. And then, you know, whatever happens, happens at that point.

But I do want to wish, you know, everybody on this team — I feel like throughout camp everyone has had an amazing camp, good days, bad days. And no matter, everybody still shows up here and gives it 100%. My heart goes out to all the guys for sure.

FOWLER: Is it a little weird maybe saying goodbye to some of the guys that you’ve created relationships with in this locker room?

MCCLELLAN: Yeah, it’s definitely difficult for me because I’m a team-first guy. Like, I’ve always wanted to be a part of the team, be close. I feel like that’s what, you know, is going to show up out there is how close we are here.

So it’s difficult for me, and it’s different because, you know, it’s not like that in college. You know, guys transferring, everything, but having half of your team just kind of going away like that, it’s difficult.

But, you know, I know that they’ll end up in good situations and they’ve had, you know, good film, good tape to put out there for other teams to go get them. So I still wish everybody the best, and I know they’re going to be successful.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 – Green Bay, Appleton.