Entering their second year in the post-Aaron Rodgers era, the Green Bay Packers have to feel good about themselves. They shook off a slow start to finish 9-8 and make the playoffs. As one of the hottest teams in the NFC, they defeated the Dallas Cowboys at home and took the San Francisco 49ers to the wire in the Divisional Round.
That’s a solid season for just about any team but for one as young as the Packers, it’s highly encouraging.
They now look to build upon that success in 2024. They made a few moves to try for a deeper run in the playoffs. With that goal in mind, let’s check out their six main priorities as they take some time off between mincamp and training camp.
6. See if MarShawn Lloyd can be RB2
Green Bay’s backfield will look vastly different in 204. The Packers unexpectedly got in on the Josh Jacobs sweepstakes and signed the former Las Vegas Raiders back to a four-year, $48 million contract. They then turned around and released Aaron Jones, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
It also appeared they wouldn’t be bringing back A.J. Dillon, but in the end, he signed a one-year deal. That contract wouldn’t be hard to get out of and the Packers might want to do that if MarShawn Lloyd can prove to be ready for a significant role as a rookie.
Lloyd has turned heads throughout camp with his quickness and elusiveness in the open field. He has the makings of a game-changer and could be an excellent complement to Jacobs. That’s why it’s important they get him as many touches as possible to see if he can be their RB2 when the regular season kicks off.
5. Find out how to keep Eric Stokes progressing
A first-round pick out of Georgia in 2021, Eric Stokes entered the NFL with a lot of promise. Not only did he hold his own against some of the best wide receivers in the nation while playing for the Bulldogs but he showed off some impressive ability during his Pro Day – including a 4.29 in the 40-yard dash.
While speed is important, the 40-yard dash is often overvalued. However, Stokes plays a position where straight-line speed can be vital. Having the ability to catch up if you ever find yourself chasing a wideout can be a difference-maker for a defensive back, and Stokes had that in spades.
As a rookie, Stokes was impressive with 14 starts in 16 games played. He had 55 tackles, 14 pass defenses, and one interception. He was able to hold receivers he covered to a completion percentage of just 49.5 that season but since then, things have gone downhill for Stokes.
Injuries cost him a lot of time as he’s been on the field for 12 games over the past two years. He hasn’t seen as many targets but gave up completions on 80 percent of his targets in 2022 (20-of-25) and 75 percent in 2023 (6-of-8). Even worse, he was credited with surrendering three touchdowns on those eight targets last year.
Green Bay elected not to pick up the fifth year in his rookie contract, making this a contract year for Stokes. While we’re still early in the offseason, early indications have him on the right path as he aims to return to his 2021 form. The Packers have talent in the secondary but it all works better if Stokes can develop into a decent No. 2 across from Jaire Alexander. That’s why they have to do whatever they can to keep him on track.
4. Get the O-line set
With the Green Bay Packers moving on from David Bakhtiari this offseason, they knew they needed a new left tackle of the future. Rasheed Walker will be given a shot at locking the spot down but he’s going to have competition as well.
One player who could push him is rookie Jordan Morgan. The 25th overall pick out of Arizona, Morgan played tackle for the Wildcats but could be moved to guard at the NFL level. Green Bay isn’t going to just kick him inside, however, as they’ve allowed him to try his hand at tackle.
In fact, they let him get reps in at four different positions as the rookie took snaps at left tackle, right tackle, left guard, and right guard. They want to find his best fit but also love versatility, especially with their bench players — and Morgan could be a reserve in year one.
Despite his lack of experience, Morgan has already been asked to do a lot but that doesn’t mean head coach Matt LaFleur will cut him any slack. Instead, the sixth-year head coach had no problem throwing out criticism. When asked about Morgan, LaFleur expressed pleasure with his skillset but added that “Mentally he has a long way to go.”
Green Bay needs to decide what to do with Morgan and from there, the rest of the pieces can fall into place. The O-line will be important, so they have to ensure it’s set as early as possible.
3. Figure out WR depth
During his first season as a starter, Jordan Love threw for 4,159 yards with 32 touchdowns. While those numbers were impressive, it looks even better when you realize he never truly had a WR1 to lean on.
Instead, the young signal-caller spread the ball around to his wideouts with a committee approach. Romeo Doubs had the most targets (96) but was second on the team with 59 receptions for 674 yards. Jayden Reed was second in targets (94) but had the most receptions and yards with 64 for 793 yards. They tied for the most touchdowns with eight.
Love also got Dontayvion Wicks involved with 581 yards and four touchdowns on 39 receptions and their rookie tight ends impressed as well. Luke Musgrace gad 34 catches for 352 yards while Tucker Kraft hauled in 31 passes for 355 yards and two touchdowns.
The player who didn’t make as much noise as they hoped was second-year wideout Christian Watson. The North Dakota State product flashed as a rookie but last year, battled injuries and appeared in just nine games. Watson finished with 28 receptions for 422 yards and five touchdowns, showing off his speed and playmaking — but still didn’t offer much consistency.
Green Bay is suddenly deep at wideout and it would be difficult to push someone as promising as Wicks down to No. 4. That’s why there have been countless trade rumors surrounding these pass-catchers.
Whether they trade someone to address a need elsewhere or plan to keep the deep committee approach, this is an area the Packers need to figure out early in camp.
2. Establish new defense under Jeff Hafley
Green Bay decided to move on from Joe Barry this offseason as the veteran defensive coordinator struggled to get the most out of his defense. Replacing him is Jeff Hafley, the former head coach at Boston College.
Hafley leaves the Golden Eagles after four years to coach the Packers’ defense and so far, he’s been winning over his teammates. Cornerback Keisean Nixon even pulled off the impossible, he praised the coach while simultaneously saying he had ‘little man syndrome’ while on “Up & Adams.”
“I like Haf. Man, Haf is a cool dude,” Nixon said on ‘Up & Adams’ with Kay Adams. “Short guy, so he kind of got little man syndrome I think. He is competitive as hell. He goes at [head coach] Matt LaFleur, which is something new for me. He brings the best out of us, and we like playing for him. This defense is ready to go for sure.”
The part where Nixon said he “goes at Matt LaFleur” could be taken the wrong way but it’s actually a good thing. Nixon isn’t saying he questions his authority but rather Hafley’s defense makes life hard on the offense, which is run by LaFleur. Apparently, Barry’s defense didn’t challenge the offense enough and the players are already seeing a difference.
This is all an excellent first step but for the defense to truly excel, Hafley has to get everyone to buy in and they need to see it come together in pads — and against opposing teams. Training camp and the preseason will afford him the opportunity to prove to players what he’s selling will work.
1. Make a decision on Jordan Love’s contract
Moving on from Aaron Rodgers was a tough decision for the Packers but ultimately, the right one. He might be one of the best to ever play the game but his performance in 2022 left a lot to be desired. Green Bay still got (way too much) value from the New York Jets when they pulled the trigger and they had faith that Jordan Love was ready to take over.
Love proved them right with an impressive campaign. He completed 64.2 percent of his attempts for 4,159 yards with a 32-to-11 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He was also solid in the playoffs with 466 yards, five touchdowns, and two picks in two games.
The only issue with Love is that he sat for so long that Green Bay now has to decide on his future without years of regular season experience. Love is in the final year of his deal and expects to get paid. And seeing what Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence just brought in, he has a reason to believe he should be paid an awful lot of money.
The quarterback market continues to increase and while the Packers might want to see another year with Love under center, that could prove to be a mistake given how quickly it’s escalating. That means they have to weigh their options. Do they pay now and hope Love continues to grow, or do they give him one more season and pray the QB market doesn’t hit $60 million per season by 2025.
In the end, teams that act first often win. If Green Bay believes he’s the guy, it’s best to pay now. Because the next few contracts that follow will make his look like a steal.
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