I hope Aaron Rodgers and his legion of fans don’t take the Packers’ selection personally at this point, but here’s what I think about Green Bay in 2023: Matt LaFleur and Co. are actually better positioned now to get through what’s ahead Moving forward in the NFL postseason tournament comes a philosophical shift on offense designed to help Jordan Love succeed as a first-time starter. I can’t wait to see what this team looks like in a season-opening trip to Chicago for Sunday’s showdown with the rival Bears.
Again, I don’t want to shadow Rodgers; I’m excited to see what the four-time MVP can accomplish with a good supporting cast with the New York Jets. But the Pack went 8-9 last season and missed the playoffs. Clearly, the marriage between Rodgers and the Packers was getting old. However, after a contentious divorce, I think the franchise will be rejuvenated by the transition to Love. And I strongly believe that with the way their roster is currently constructed, the Packers will benefit from a more balanced approach that makes the running game and game play the foundation of every game plan.
With AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones stabilizing the offense with their complementary skills as inside/outside runners, the Packers can have a multi-faceted, ball-control attack that allows their 24-year-old quarterback to assume a leadership role until he’s ready to emerge playmaker to excel in this position. With Love under center, I expect LaFleur to field stronger personnel packages with two tight ends on the field. Then the savvy coach will rely on a series of off-tackle runs and intermediate passes to tight ends Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft and Josiah Deguara, while also dialing in shots downfield to wideouts Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. The balanced schedule will keep opponents guessing all season long. (Although Watson and Doubs obviously need to get well.)
Defensively, the Packers are full of homegrown talent. The unit features eight players with first-round pedigree covering all three levels of the D: defensive linemen Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt; linebackers Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness and Quay Walker; Defenders Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes (currently on the reserve/PUP list) and Darnell Savage. These guys have elite attributes that should allow defensive coordinator Joe Barry to overwhelm his opponents using a player-friendly scheme that showcases natural physical abilities. Although the Packers will still have to deal with some of the ups and downs that come with younger players, their raw talent allows them to compete with the NFC’s best.
If LaFleur and the Packers master the art of playing complementary football where offense, defense and special teams work together, the wins will pile up and Green Bay could enter the postseason as underdogs with intriguing potential for a run in the top-heavy NFC .