How the Green Bay Packers can take a step forwards without Aaron Rodgers
It is no secret that there is a changing of the guard at the Green Bay Packers. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers stated last Wednesday on "The Pat McAfee Show" that his intention is to join the New York Jets via trade this upcoming season.
That means it is now Jordan Love's turn on Lombardi Avenue. The soon-to-be fourth-year player out of Utah State will now be the face of Green Bay's offense. But how can GM Brian Gutekunst and Head Coach Matt LaFleur look to build the team around the signal-caller?
As the franchise is being cautious in free agency, the answer to that question is simple. Get younger. The Packers now need to find stability with veterans like Rodgers, Allen Lazard, Marcedes Lewis, Randall Cobb, Robert Tonyan and Adrian Amos all presumably moving on.
So, where do they need to get younger? The answer is on both sides of the ball.
The Packers need some young blood on offense
First and foremost, Green Bay needs to build around 24-year-old signal-caller Jordan Love.
They have young core pieces in running back A.J. Dillon and wide receivers Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure. There is also soon-to-be fourth-year tight end Josiah Deguara. Elgton Jenkins, their multi-time Pro Bowl guard, just finished his fourth season too. So, they certainly have some young pieces.
This offense has some experienced veterans in Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones (entering age-29 season) and All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari (entering age-32 season). It appears as though Green Bay's front office will look to build up the rest of the offense through the draft, which is a good thing.
They Packers will look to add another wide receiver, along with another tight end. They currently hold the 15th overall pick. Perhaps Ohio State wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba will be sitting there, or All-American tight end Michael Mayer out of Notre Dame. Other tight ends of interest could be Dalton Kincaid (Utah) and Sam LaPorta (Iowa).
The Packers will certainly have their choice of options as there is no shortage of talent on the offensive side in the 2023 NFL draft. If they can bring in a few more pass-catchers, as well as another talented offensive lineman or two, Matt LaFleur will have his young offense ready to go.
The Packers defense could use reinforcement in the NFL draft
Defensively, there is a little bit more talent among the younger Packers players. All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander (26) and sack artist Rashan Gary (25) lead a talented defensive unit along with All-Rookie linebacker Quay Walker (22).
This defense also has some intriguing, young prospects within the trenches in defensive linemen Devonte Wyatt and T.J. Slaton. There's also their talented veterans in edge-rusher Preston Smith (30), All-Pro linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (29) and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark (27).
Although the Packers' defense had a down year by most standards in 2022, they still finished in the top 10 in pass defense, interceptions and third-down defense. They will most likely need to replace safety Adrian Amos in the draft, who is now a free agent. Also, veteran defensive tackles from a year ago in Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed left to join new teams.
Several mock drafts have the Packers targeting some talent on the edge, particularly Myles Murphy (Clemson) or Keion White (Georgia Tech). Safeties of reported interest include Antonio Johnson (Texas A&M) and Ji’Ayir Brown (Penn State).
All in all, if Green Bay can add another run-stuffer along the defensive line and another defender in the secondary, this defense will be younger, faster and all the more talented.
The goal in the end is to get younger. Create a strong core of younger players who can grow together into a championship group. With Aaron Rodgers and other veterans on their way out, it is time to get younger in Green Bay and let the more inexperienced players play.
Getting younger is the fastest route to a Super Bowl in Titletown, although it is unlikely to happen in the upcoming campaign.