Eminem once warned us that you only get one shot — one moment — to truly own it. In “Lose Yourself,” he captured the urgency of chasing greatness before the chance slips away.
Slim Shady raps about how it’s more than just talent; it’s about being ready when the pressure hits. You don’t get to plan the moment. It just appears, and when it does, you either step into it or let it slip.
That’s the kind of moment this year’s Green Bay Packers team will face this season.
The Packers are now heading into Year 3 with Jordan Love as their starting quarterback, and the front office has continued to build around him. They’ve added reinforcements to the receiving corps and the trenches to help their franchise QB take the next step.
A fully healthy version of Love should make the offense more dynamic. Still, he needs to prove he can perform like a top quarterback throughout an entire season, considering the $55 million investment the organization has made in him.
After a promising finish in 2023, Green Bay’s receivers regressed last season, and they can’t afford to slide further in 2025. To raise the floor of the group, Green Bay drafted Matthew Golden and Savion Williams and signed Mecole Hardman in free agency to inject speed and competition.
The main core of Green Bay’s offense has now had two full seasons to build chemistry and learn to play together. At this point, there should be no excuses moving forward. This group needs to perform like a contender. That’s the standard expected from an organization with the Packers’ history and expectations.
Jeff Hafley is heading into Year 2 as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator, which is usually when things start to click — from coaching adjustments to players’ performance on the field. Last season, the Packers’ pass rush ranked 27th in win rate, and improvement is a must this year.
To strengthen the defensive front, the team hired DeMarcus Covington to coach the defensive line and added Barryn Sorrell, Collin Oliver, and Warren Brinson through the draft. Success in today’s NFL is nearly impossible without generating pressure with just four rushers, and Green Bay understands that.
At the second level, the Packers will lean on Edgerrin Cooper, who broke out toward the end of 2024. They also have high expectations for Quay Walker, who was playing his best football late last season. In the secondary, they have a solid trio of safeties led by All-Pro Xavier McKinney, alongside Evan Williams and Javon Bullard, both of whom should be more comfortable and adjusted to the pro game as they enter their second year.
There are still a few questions in Green Bay’s cornerback room, but adding Nate Hobbs brings some much-needed physicality. Keisean Nixon also held his own on the boundary last season, and there’s a real chance he could shift into a full-time role on defense.
So when you take a step back and look at the full picture of Green Bay’s offense and defense, it’s evident the team has made a real effort to address the areas that held them back last season. Progression should be expected. The Packers still found a way to win 11 games in 2024 despite the receivers struggling with drops and the defense generating little pressure. If both groups take a step forward this year, this team could skyrocket.
It’s also important to point out the shake-up in the NFC North heading into the 2025 season. The Detroit Lions lost most of their coaching staff this offseason, including offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
They still have a talented roster and should remain in the playoff picture, but this year will be a real test for Dan Campbell. Running the team without two of his top lieutenants won’t be easy — and history doesn’t offer much reassurance. Campbell’s record was 3-13-1 before Johnson took over play-calling duties.
The Minnesota Vikings have one of the best offensive minds in football with Kevin O’Connell, but they’re turning to J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback. Since McCarthy is basically a rookie, it’s natural to expect some growing pains as he and the offense adjust. We don’t really know yet if he’ll be good or not, and that uncertainty makes it hard to project Minnesota as a top contender in the division this year.
The Chicago Bears enter the season with rookie head coach Ben Johnson. They’ve also finished last in the division nine times since 2015. While they’ve made some moves to help accelerate Caleb Williams’ development, the truth is I’m going to keep doubting them until they prove otherwise — and to be fair, they haven’t done much to change that narrative.
Green Bay is the only team in the NFC North that hasn’t gone through a major coaching change or quarterback shuffle this offseason. They’ve had stability with Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love for three years now. That continuity gives the Packers an advantage because they’re not dealing with any major unknowns entering 2025. Green Bay hasn’t won the division since 2021 — and it’s about time that changes.
If the Packers win the division, they’ll get at least one home playoff game. But honestly, no matter where they play, it’s time to get the job done. This isn’t a young team anymore. The offense and defense have had multiple offseasons to build chemistry, so the Packers must start showing results on the field. They’ve got the moment and a real chance to take back control of the NFC North and make their path to the Super Bowl a little easier.
Be the first to comment