Last year, the Green Bay Packers had the youngest and least experienced roster in the NFL during Week 1 of the regular season. They’ll almost certainly repeat the feat in 2024.
According to data from The 33rd Team and Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Packers will go into the first week of 2024 with the youngest 53-man roster by average age (25.11 years old) and youngest expected starters (25.49) among the 32 NFL teams following roster cuts.
Because of the experience gained from so many rookies a year ago, it’s possible the Packers won’t be the least experienced team to start 2024. But consider this: after having only three players over the age of 30 to start 2023, the Packers are down to only one: Defensive end Preston Smith, the oldest player on the roster at age 31. In fact, the Packers now have only three players over the age of 28, including linebacker Eric Wilson (29) and long snapper Matt Orzech (29).
The Packers roster has 13 players with at least five seasons of experience and 12 rookies or first-year players. The bulk of the roster — or 24 players — are second- and third-year players on rookie contracts.
Primed with draft picks and a need to reset his salary cap situation following the Aaron Rodgers era, general manager Brian Gutekunst quickly turned over his roster and put the Jordan Love-led Packers back on a contending path. While not all the picks remain, Gutekunst did make 35 draft picks over the last three seasons, including 13 in a stellar 2023 class.
As the old saying goes, the NFL is a young man’s game. Experience and know-how are vital, especially at key spots, but the explosive athleticism and fresh legs of young, just-out-of-college players make or break a roster. Once again, the Packers are going into a season packed to the brim with young talent.
In 2023, the young Packers started fast, hit a big lull and then took off down the stretch, ending the year as one of the NFL’s most dangerous teams. Can another young team with a hint more of experience start fast, stay hot and then still play their best football in December and January again?
