Ranking 5 biggest needs for Jordan Love's Packers heading into 2024 NFL training camp
The Green Bay Packers surprised a lot of observers last season by making it into the playoffs in the first year of Jordan Love's tenure as a starter. They believe they have the successor to Aaron Rodgers and are ready to compete for the championship as early as this season, despite having a young roster.
To do so, training camp will be the first opportunity to iron out some of the kinks and ensure they live up to their promise, which is aiming for the Super Bowl if quarterback Jordan Love is to be believed.
Here are some of the biggest needs the Packers have right now.
5 biggest needs for the Green Bay Packers ahead of 2024 training camp
#5. Getting Josh Jacobs up to speed
Josh Jacobs is replacing a fan favorite in Aaron Jones. And one only needs to see his dismantling of the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round last season to understand why the latter was so popular. He rushed for 118 yards in 21 carries and had three touchdowns that night. It was his fourth successive game with more than 100 yards, all of which yielded Packers wins and got them into the postseason as the seventh seed in the NFC.
It shows that for all the focus on Jordan Love, the running game remains a key part of Matt LaFleur's offense. And that means that in the training camp, they need to get their primary running back up to speed. Josh Jacobs is a phenomenal player and was the rushing yards leader as recently as 2022. He does not need to be taught how to run, but he does need to learn a new playbook with the Packers.
The training camp will be his best opportunity to do so.
#4. Finding the right linebackers after De'Vondre Campbell's departure
De'Vondre Campbell departed for the San Francisco 49ers and left only Quay Walker as an undisputed starter at the position. If the Packers play with a four-man defensive front, as is widely expected, this season, they will need two to three linebackers at any time on the field.
Edgerrin Cooper, picked in the second round of this year's NFL draft by the Packers, is slated to partner Walker. But it is never easy for a rookie to have an impact in the NFL and he might need some time to get up to speed.
Isaiah McDuffie could be the veteran to come in and relieve the newcomer from time to time and also play in a three-man package but is unlikely to be an every-snap player. Ty'Ron Hopper is another rookie who could come into the mix.
All in all, it is a very inexperienced group and they have no experience of having played together. That is what the training camp is for and the Packers need to get their pass-rush unit working smoothly.
#3. Navigating multiple WR1s in Green Bay
Talking about using the training camp to get people ready, the Packers would dearly love to see Christian Watson back on the field and finally over his recurring hamstring injuries. If he can establish a connection with Jordan Love and signal he will be fit throughout the season, he is likely to be the primary wideout on this roster.
On the other hand, the Packers did not do too shabbily even with him out last season. Jayden Reed, Dontavyion Wicks and Romeo Doubs all contributed at the right times. Arguably, that is what made their offense click so well because there was no primary offensive weapon that the opposition could focus on blocking since the threats were spread all across the field.
Jordan Love has praised this dynamic and thinks it is a big part of their success. But for a system like this to work, each wide receiver would need to share reps with the quarterback without giving anyone preference. But that might mean that the starters for every game would not be as much in sync as they would like to be if they were the undisputed leaders on the depth chart.
This could flame out spectacularly if not handled correctly right from the training camp now. Matt LaFleur will have to use considerable nous here.
#2. Jeff Hafley's time to step up is now
Jeff Hafley is the new defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. He replaces Joe Barry, who was let go after their elimination in the Divisional Round last season. While the previous coach had his detractors and many were happy to see him go, Hafley is a novice in the NFL at this designation.
He was a defensive assistant with the 49ers, which explains why Matt LaFleur hired him, but his last job was as the head coach of Boston College. He will need to hit the ground running and make an imprint on the defenders in training camp. He will need to ensure that they know his playbook and deal with the change from the previous regime. Otherwise, the defense will be undercooked going into the season.
#1. Packers must keep Jordan Love happy
Most importantly for the Packers, this training camp is about keeping Jordan Love happy and firing. Green Bay is lucky to have gone from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers.
If Jordan Love keeps playing the way he did in the second half of last season, he will be a worthy successor to both of them. That is what the Packers have to see in the upcoming year. They need to make sure that he gets the best help in the training camp and is in the best shape he can be in when they play their first game.
What they also need to do is give Jordan Love a contract that reflects his status. That is the primary need before training camp. They need to ensure that communication has begun between both parties, there is no distraction going into the season, and the quarterback knows he is valued. Because the Packers' and Jordan Love's futures and inescapably intertwined. As one goes, so does the other.