Welcome to 32 teams in 32 days. To get us through the offseason, we’ll be taking a closer look at every team in the league, in order of projected 2023 win totals. Up next: the Packers.
Not many are giving the Packers a chance this season as they transition from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love at starting quarterback.
Green Bay is expected to finish fourth in the NFC North, with +415 odds to win the division, according to SI Sportsbook. That’s higher than the Bears (+360), who won three games last season.
Sure, the Packers could struggle without Rodgers, one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. But their roster is built to compete now, so they might be a surprise team in 2022.
Green Bay Press Gazette/USA TODAY Network (left); Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA TODAY Network (center); Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports (right)
The defense is filled with former Pro Bowlers and All-Pros (cornerback Jaire Alexander, defensive tackle Kenny Clark and linebacker De’Vondre Campbell), as well as recent first-round picks. (Green Bay selected linebacker Quay Walker and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt last year, edge rusher Rashan Gary in 2019 and defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness in April.)
But the unit was still disappointing last season—and this year, it will need to find chemistry to help the offense, which features plenty of inexperienced players, especially pass catchers. The Packers selected wide receiver Jayden Reed and tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft during Day 2 of this year’s draft.
Dynamic running back Aaron Jones is back, and wide receiver Christian Watson could ascend in his second season as a No. 1 wideout. But the Packers’ 2022 hopes fall on the shoulders of Love.
Biggest gamble this offseason: Favoring Love over Rodgers
Technically, this gamble has been three years in the making—ever since the Packers drafted Love in the first round of the 2020 draft, straining their relationship with Rodgers (who answered by delivering back-to-back MVP seasons). With tension high amid a losing season, the Packers finally decided to move on from Rodgers, trading him to the Jets to officially begin the Love Era. The 6'4", 219-pound Love possesses athleticism and a strong arm, and he flashed in his 10 snaps against the Eagles last season. Rodgers has also raved about Love’s improvements in practices when it comes to fundamentals. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst and coach Matt LaFleur will learn whether the drama of the past three years was worth it come September.
Toughest stretch of the season: Weeks 10 to 14
The Packers have a grand opportunity to stack wins early in the season with seven of their first eight games being against teams that missed the postseason in 2022. But even if they take advantage of the weak schedule, they’ll need to prove themselves throughout a daunting five-game stretch, starting in Pittsburgh in Week 10 and concluding on the road versus the Giants in Week 14. The Chargers, Lions (on the road) and Chiefs are sandwiched in between.
Love might have the Chargers and Chiefs circled on his calendar, given Justin Herbert was picked 20 spots ahead of him in the first round of the ’20 draft, and Love’s starting debut was a loss in Kansas City two years ago.
Breakout player to watch: WR Christian Watson
Love could also be the selection here, but Watson gets the edge after what he displayed in the final eight games of last season (seven touchdowns and 523 receiving yards). After shaking off a rough start to his rookie season, Watson dominated against the Cowboys in Week 10 with four catches for 107 yards and three touchdowns. The receiver also delivered 100-yard games vs. both the Eagles in Week 12 and the Lions in Week 18. The 6'5", 208-pound Watson is an explosive playmaker who might be on the verge of a Pro Bowl season.
Position of strength: Edge rusher
The Packers may have a case for boasting one of the best pass-rushing trios in the NFC with Gary, Preston Smith and Van Ness. Gary is coming off what began as a productive season (six sacks in nine games) but was cut short because of a torn ACL. Green Bay will need the linebacker to quickly regain his top form, especially with Smith possibly being on the decline and Van Ness needing time to find his footing in the league. But many are high on the No. 13 pick from April, mainly because of his versatility and the strength he displayed at Iowa to break free from blocks.
Position of weakness: Offensive line
The Packers passed on an opportunity to draft offensive tackle Broderick Jones, who went to the Steelers one spot after the Packers took Van Ness. It was somewhat surprising given the offensive line struggled last season, but it’s possible Green Bay viewed 2022 as just one bad season, and perhaps the productive rushing attack of Jones and AJ Dillon, plus the mobility of Love, could help the unit have a bounce-back season in ’23. Regardless, it’s still a risky play to expect left tackle David Bakhtiari to stay healthy after three consecutive seasons dealing with injuries.
X-factor: CB Jaire Alexander
Mark Konezny/USA TODAY Sports
The Packers need their talented defensive players to gel as a productive group, but that won’t work without Alexander continuing to produce on an individual level as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Alexander’s ability to take away one side of the field allows the defensive front to play freely and removes pressure from the rest of the secondary. Alexander recorded 14 passes defended, five interceptions and was named a second-team All-Pro in 2022.
Sleeper fantasy pick: WR Romeo Doubs
Doubs had a nice start to his rookie season, scoring but he missed time due to injuries and was overshadowed by Christian Watson after that. Still, Doubs will be the No. 2 target for Love and could be their most targeted player. He’s worth a late flier. —Michael Fabiano, SI Fantasy
Best bet: Jordan Love will go under 3350.5 passing yards
Yes, I expect the Packers to be playing from behind a lot, but Love would have to play all 17 games and pass for at least 200 yards in each to surpass this. I’m not convinced that the Packers are convinced. —Jennifer Piacenti, SI Betting
Watch Packers games this fall live with Fubo: Start a free trial today!
