All the moving parts on offense and an impressive collection of talent on the defense has Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers thinking that training camp could be a bit of a bumpy ride for his side of the ball this summer.
Rodgers and the offense lost Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling but added veteran Sammy Watkins and rookies Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure to the mix at receiver, while the Packers defense re-signed breakout stars Rasul Douglas and De’Vondre Campbell and added first-round picks Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt.
As the offense evolves without Adams and new players get up to speed with the scheme, Joe Barry’s defense could dominate big stretches of the summer. And Rodgers doesn’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing.
“It could be a long training camp for the offense,” Rodgers told “The Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday. “I like the way our defense is looking and playing. Just on paper, it looks like they are going to be pretty formidable. There could be some growing pains for the offense which will be great for us, it’ll be nice to take our lumps from time to time, it’ll help us get better facing a really good defense like that.”
The Packers reconvene for training camp on Wednesday, July 27. Rodgers only participated during the mandatory minicamp phase of the offseason workout program, so the Packers are trusting the process of training camp to get everyone on the same page before the Week 1 showdown with the Minnesota Vikings.
Barry’s group will make sure the Packers offense gets a stiff test each and every day.
One thing is certain: the young Packers receivers will get a trial by fire this summer. Not only will the rookies be digesting the playbook and learning how to play with Rodgers on a down-to-down basis, but in competitive team periods, they’ll be facing arguably the top trio of cornerbacks in the NFL in Douglas, Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes.
“I think it’s going to be great. There’s no better teacher for them on what NFL ball is going to be like than going up against our top three corners: Jaire, Eric Stokes and Rasul,” Rodgers said. “So those guys are going to get a real quick initiation to the NFL.”
Alexander already said he’s preparing to make life as hard as possible on the young receivers in an effort to accelerate their development.
“I’m going to make it as hard as I can for those guys because I know on Sunday it’s going to pay off. Iron sharpens iron,” Alexander said in June. “However I can help to make them better, I’m going to do that.”
The Packers need Watkins, Watson, Doubs and Toure ready to contribute right out of the gates at U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 1. A difficult training camp, brought on by the ascending Packers defense, should provide exactly the challenge Rodgers and the offense needs to get better fast and prepare for regular season football.
