With the team reportedly set to move on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, there’s an argument to be made this is the most important offseason in recent memory for the Packers. The front office seems content moving forward with Jordan Love under center, but what about the rest of the roster?
While the Packers are welcoming plenty of change next season, here are their three biggest concerns:
1. When will the Rodgers drama be over?
Rodgers has made it clear he’s either playing for the New York Jets in 2023 or retiring, so what’s the holdup? Conflicting reports have said the Packers want more in return than what the Jets have offered them, while others believe Green Bay is simply taking this right down to the draft to use the Jets’ desperation against them (New York has missed out on the premier free-agent QBs while waiting on Rodgers) for better draft compensation.
Rodgers is 39 and threatens to retire seemingly every year, so one would understand the Jets’ hesitancy to include the 13th overall pick this year, which Green Bay has reportedly asked for, in any Rodgers deal. With both teams at a standstill, this saga, sadly, may not be resolved until a day or two before the draft.
2. With so many needs, which should they address with the No. 15 pick?
Pass rusher, cornerback, safety, receiver, tight end, defensive tackle — Green Bay has a lot of needs to address. Jordan Addison, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston and Zay Flowers could all be available when Green Bay is on the clock, and all would be welcomed additions to the passing attack that will presumably be built around Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, who combined for 83 receptions, 1,036 yards and 10 touchdowns as rookies.
Robert Tonyan is in Chicago, leaving the Packers with just two tight ends from last year’s team — Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis. Michael Mayer has been a popular choice for the Packers in most mock drafts, while Dalton Kincaid or Darnell Washington make sense as well.
Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr., Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks, Alabama safety Brian Branch or Texas A&M safety Antonio Johnson are possibilities as well should the secondary take priority.
3. Does Jordan Love have enough weapons to be successful?
Aaron Jones agreed to a restructured contract to stick around, and he an A.J. Dillon have been a fine one-two punch out of the backfield. The problem lies with the pass catchers.
Green Bay’s tight ends have a combined 47 career receptions, 432 yards and two touchdowns between them, while its receiver group has just one player over the age of 24. Watson and Doubs had fine rookie seasons, but they had just one game with more than six receptions and just three 100-yard games between them. The Packers need to add a tight end and at least one receiver on Day 1 or 2 of the draft.
