I think the single biggest factor is how well Love plays. If he’s average or better, the team has a very good chance. Do we think he can do a TD/INT of about 26/16? That’s the range I’m expecting. However, I reserve the right to change my mind as the season goes on.

I also think it’s a bit premature to say GB has 2 tight ends that can stretch the field and block. They definitely have the talent to do those things, and the defense better honor that, but as far as great production THIS year, we’ve got to pump the brakes (or the horses, Butch) a bit.

The “8 first rounders on defense” has gotten a lot of traction lately. To expect them to be AT LEAST middle of the pack is not asking too much. I’d love to know how many other defenses around the league can boast such numbers!

Oh, and as always, GPG!

To extend your thoughts Corey, the WR room is reloaded with more young talent to add to the young talent infused last season. No rebuild there.

The OL has some very good parts and some "need to rebound" parts (looking at you Greg Meyers) and some nice potential in the jars on the shelf as well. No rebuild there

RB gets a nice infusion with Lew Nichols added to a pretty good tandem. No rebuild there

OK, the TE room is getting rebuilt, but it may look like a reload if the rooks can play to their potential.

QB Jordan Love has been on the team for 3 full seasons and has taken a lot of practice snaps to build his foundation, just like AR did for his first 3 years. Developing a QB can proceed in practice (the Packer way) or by fire in league games (other teams ways) I do not see Love as a rookie, but as a 3rd year young vet. He came out early and needed the seasoning before he was sent out to perform. He now has the seasoning needed, no rebuild there, strictly reload.

The defense received the additional support it needed with the draft infusion of talent at DL, OLB and S (maybe). The pieces were already there at OLB, ILB, CB and a nice framework at DL, that leaves Safety as the one area in need of some reinforcements, and a ultra reliable CB turned S has been added to the mix there. No rebuilds therre

Special Teams received a new punt returner, a new long snapper and a new kicker. Some definite rebuilding there, but the coaching and leadership is in place to make the rebuild parts look more like a reload, lets see how Mr Nixon follows up his outstanding season.

Looks like another GBP North Division Championship to me. No rebuilds there.

"Matt LaFleur will have plenty to prove as well. He has been operating in Aaron Rodgers’ shadow for the last four years. He wants to let everyone know that he can call a heck of an offensive game — without No. 12. Expect the offense to be wide open, with plenty of pre-snap movement and misdirection."

^^^THIS^^^

We FINALLY get to see what this offense could possibly look like. Motion, misdirection, a QB actually lining up UNDER center. Hey, perhaps we'll actually see (get ready for it) passes down the MIDDLE of the field! Or AJ Dillon taking a handoff 7 yards deep and hitting the hole without taking it out of the shotgun. There's going to be some CB's and Safeties in this league who have to make a "business decision" once AJ breaks through the LOS. I think the running game is better this year...Much better.

Rebuild, restart, or reload, whatever you want to call it this team has a LOT of talent. 8 first round picks on defense and if Joe Barry can just pull his head out of his ass long enough, they just might be able to start playing like we all think they can. The offense will take a minute, that many young players at the skill position almost demands bumps along the way. But they get to do it together while they grow and that IMO is KEY.

Rebuild? Reload? Whatever.

It’s a very promising assembly of recently drafted/UDFA signed talent to help the Packers get where we want to go… which is walking off a plane carrying the Lombardi Trophy.

A continued emphasis on D with top talents was necessary after changing Defensive Coordinators. New shemes. New talent requirements.

Our GM has done a nice job of paroviding talent to both sides of the ball. He certainly didn’t reach for a WR like MIN did R1.

Gutekunst has filled this team on both sides of the ball with highly regarded talents (5 of PFF’s Top 100 Players, 9 of their Top 200 Players). He’s done a great job giving us players with solid, dynamic physical traits along with resumes filled with production. It looks like a good group of players added to this Packers team. Far better than anything assembled by our division foes, by quite a lot.

I think football for Packer fans & players alike, is going to be fun again.

The change on STs began last year. Rich was brought in with a complete makeover in focus, urgency, talent, scheme and skill players. Players were brought in specifically to play STs, starters added to the units...no longer staffed with bottom of depth chart players. WeTeams was deemed as important as O and D and it showed on the field.

That was a rebuild.

The change of Offense will be this year starting with an expectation MLF will finally take control and run his IOC offense as envisioned. MLF will call it, Jordan will run it, and audibles & running the play clock down to zero to determine what "play" to call should be over. TE and WR will have may have up to 5 rookies seeing action. Offense is going to look very different pre and post snap.

Feels like a rebuild.

Defense now has 8 first rounders and some highly paid FAs that greatly under-performed last year. The DL will have two new starters (Wyatt, Slayton or Brooks) to team with Kenny. Wooden, Van Ness may figure prominently in the rotation. DBs have adept press corners (Alexander, Stokes, Douglas) whose talents were routinely ignored playing off ball, soft zone. Expect that approach will dumped. After several years, S will have a new starter. If, as hoped, Asst. HC Rich will be routinely sitting in Defense meetings directing Barry...the Defense better be very different...or in 2024 both the DC and HC will be.

Better be a rebuild.

Roster is being rebuilt due to the cap with far more churn than usual...from top to bottom...lots of new faces.

A reload is adding a few key players and run the same plays. This season won't be that. Can't be, if winning is the objective.

Well here are some thoughts.

RB: Like you said Cory, very good tandem. But since the team will rely on Jones and Dillon a lot, keep 4 RB to keep them fresh. How about 3000 total yards from the running backs total.

WR & TE: Rebuild. Perhaps lots of talent, but unproven. And so much to learn in complexity. Expect learning pains from this group and from Love. That's why the RB have to be used a lot more.

OL: I think this group is capable and so do the Packers. I would like to see Walker or Jones make progress this year to ease the transition from Bak.

DL: Rebuild with Clark as a base. But no proven players beyond him. Looks like the Pack is going to smaller and quicker DL with the draft picks. Who knows how this will play out this year.

OLB: A declining Smith, recovering Gary and a raw Van Ness. Look for this group to start slow and get better as the season goes on.

ILB: All set.

DB: Hard to say about this. This is all up to Barry. Will he use Alexander aggressively like the second Viking game or will the whole group be passive and play off the line 10 yards, Was the poor play last year a result of the players or just a screwed up system from Barry. Probably both. And how do they play Douglas and Stokes together? I just can't figure out what Barry will do??? Not good.

Special Teams. Rebuild here with new Kicker and Snapper. Nixon is good for kickoffs and hopefully Reed for punts.

If it's only being competitive. We've already Lost.
I'm spoiled. Brett Favre and Rodgers did it.
And now you're saying; re-load with an UNPROVEN QB?
Well - Congratulations for blowing smoke up are ass.
We don't have any threats beyond Jones.
Dillion is far from a threat. He hasn't been a upgrade.
And Nobody has come close to Adams,MVS,Lazard, or Tonyan.
I can't live on Hype. It's whats got us to the rebuild.
Expecting Rookies to be better than Experience.
Just isn't going to happen. Lower your expectations.
Until more players stand out. We've Lost are mojo.
Listen to any Viking, Bear, Lions fan.
They're beaming with Trash Talk and can't wait to play us.
While the Jet fans carry the expectations of success.

I agree this is not a rebuild. I wanted them to go for an all-out rebuild and trade all the older players who still had some tread on the tires to accumulate draft picks and cap space for the future. However, I understand that is not the Packer way. I am still happy they moved on from the Diva because it ensures an interesting season and not just another Grounding Day rerun.

I’m not buying into this “win the division” hype. If Justin Fields improves this year, the Packers could easily have the fourth best QB in the division in a QB driven league. I tend to keep my expectations reasonable and I’m expecting around 6-11 this year. I would be happy with a repeat of 8-9. I would be very happy with 9-8. I would be ecstatic with a 10-7 and a wild card. You “win the division “ people are setting yourselves up for massive disappointment.

It will be an improved division and many black and blue shots will be dished out. I keep referencing the last game vs Lions as a barometer. If we block better especially Hutchinson we can beat the Lions because in every other category we were even.

I expect a run the ball down their throats, with no self-serving church 'n duck on short yardage & red zone especially. Ball control, enough to keep defenses honest. Move the chains. A QB that runs MLF plays & learns running the offense.

Rebuild if GB has to draft a QB high in 2024 or 2025.
Reload/reset if Love is legitimate - above average or better.

If they have to use first and second round picks to draft a QB, and maybe multiple firsts and seconds, that will take a toll over the course of a couple of years.

It will be for sure interesting season. My expectations - none. My hope - play off, and than, who knows how universe will settle itself.

There is a lot of unknown. Will any of drafted players excell, and how many, at what position? Will all of last season drafted players have jump in their playing? I doubt. But it is important if some of them will do, like Enagbare, Wyatt, Doubs, Toure, Ford, OLs like Walker, Jones, some might have second year slump, some will play at the same level (Walker? Watson?). Will some second year disapointer, like Myers put their stuff together and play on NFL level?

Will young team chemistry help all young players to overachieve expectations many have for them? Will that chemistry help veterans on team to find in themselves youth attitude again?

There is a lot of questions, at the moment, no answers. But that is the reason why is this season so exciting and, if we allow to ourselves, be positive in our view of Packers near and long term future.

GO PACK GO!!!!

Every year has a draft and every year there are new players on the team. So, one can say that every year is different. Matt has said that since he has been here. Call it what you will but this year the team had/has tough cap decisions. My first thought is that they did well considering the situation it was put in.

Hope springs eternal. I thought the Packers were poised to make a run the last couple of years. They re-signed 18 of 22 starters in 2021 and had a good mix of vets and young players. What happened last year? It was a combination of good offense and poor defense and sometimes good d and subpar offense. It's a league of parity, and about 16 of the 32 teams have a good shot to make the playoffs. Green Bay has the potential on paper to have a decent season. Improvement from some younger players, better play calling, and key coaching COULD turn a couple of losses to wins. I am stoked for an exciting season.

Believe you will actually see a LaFleur playbook this year w/o some Diva going up to a line wait to last second then do HIS OWN thing not play called. Really glad Rodgers has been shown the door whether winning or losing season!

"But it isn’t a complete rebuild"

This is not a complete rebuild. Lets be honest. Every team builds a new team every year. Its just the level that they have to rebuild from the previous year. It will appear like a complete rebuild because we have significantly changed 3 positions. But the truth is this is not a complete rebuild.
Basically our defense returns minus 3 players. Reed, Lowry and Amos. Amos still could return. But our defense comes back mostly intact. We have 3 proven Pro Bowl vets. Clark, Campbell and Alexander. If we were in a complete rebuild we wouldn't have those 3 guys on our roster.

If we were in a complete rebuild we wouldn't have players like Bakhtiari and Jenkins returning. Our OL will look very similar to last year, the only real change will be whoever plays at RT, and unless they shuffle things around. RB will also look almost the exact same. The only difference would be RB3.

Will definitely have a new look with switching from Rodgers to Love. WR and TE are also getting revamped. While Love is a brand new QB he has been in the system now going into his 4th year. LaFleur will definitely work the offense around Love's talents, compared to before how he ran the offense based on Rodgers abilities. While Love isn't Rodgers, he is younger and more mobile. We will likely see more boot action plays, more read option stuff and more motion.

Besides the switch at QB, WR and TE also are getting huge changes.
TE they are losing Lewis and Tonyan. But are gaining Musgrave and Kraft. From last year to this year our TE class has gotten a lot faster and more athletic. The speed will significantly change the position. It will take time for them learn how to play in the NFL, but they should be able to contribute early. Musgrave should be an immediate seam stretching TE. His size and speed will make a difference.
Interesting note that no one has mentioned about Musgrave. He was a TE that was coming off an injury prior to the draft. He was drafted with the 42nd pick in the draft. You know who else was coming off an injury and was picked with the 42nd pick? Rob Gronkowski. Both measured at 6'6. Gronk was 264 lbs, Musgrave 253. Gronk ran 4.68, Musgrave 4.61. I'm not saying that Musgrave will be the next Gronk, but he has some similarities to Gronk. And the fact that both were taken with the 42nd pick is really interesting.

WR they lost Lazard and Cobb. They are returning 3 WR's that had playing time last year. They then have 3 rookies who all have a realistic chance of not only making the roster but could contribute.

On offense they have lost a lot of receiving options. They lost Lazard, Cobb, Tonyan, Lewis. In terms of production though, it won't be hard for them to replace.
Combined Lazard and Cobb had 94 receptions for 1205 yards and 7 TD's.
Combined Tonyan and Lewis had 59 receptions for 536 yards and 4 TD's.
Those are not monstrous numbers they have to replace. Comparing it to the year before Lazard and Cobb didn't come close to equaling what Adams had for numbers. Adams the year before had 123 catches for 1553 yards and 11 TD's.
Watson and Doubs will most likely increase their production. Musgrave and Kraft to match the TE production only need to average 2 catches for 16 yards each per game. That isn't that much to ask for.

The amount of production that they have to replace is not that tall of a task. This is not as big of a rebuild as some are making it out to be.

Nuh-uh, Cory. It's a rebuild! Neeneer, neener, neener. *sticks-out-tongue* *throws-a-rock* *hides-behind-tree*

As far as players, if the OL can stay healthy, they should be able to protect Love, and try to open running lanes. But I would think other teams would focus on stopping the run, disrupting passing routes to affect timing, and trying to put extra pressure on Love during obvious passing downs. How Love handles this is unknown. Also, the loss of the team's long time OL coach seemed to cause some problems for the OL. Will the OL be up to the task? Also, the WR group is very young; the TE's are rookies, and will take a while to get used to being in the pros, and Love and his receivers will only have a limited amount of time to get to know each other. It seems likely that Love will be getting a lot of snaps in the exhibition season, as every rep is precious in learning tendencies and timing.
Defensively, does anyone really believe that Barry will suddenly design defensive schemes to maximize the strengths of the players on defense? Or will there once again be confusion in the secondary, and a lack of performance by the DL. It seems the players aren't impressed with Barry as a coach, and were frustrated at having to play such soft coverage the first half of the season. During the second half, Barry's defense definitely got better. Which inexplicably made the team bring Barry back for another year. I believe in the players; the coaching staff? Meh.
Finally, we will now get to see just how good of a coach LaFleur is, as you noted. But what bothers me is whether the Packers are fully committed to Love. It seems they are hedging their bets, and are still "on the fence" whether he can be a reliable starter in the league. Personally, I think he's ready. But that is an armchair perspective, based on very limited snaps during real games. But Love seems to be much more calm on the field, and when he flings the ball, he does so with accuracy and speed, with a nice release. But that is pure hope and optimism. Winning the division? Talk to the Lions about that. Or possibly Minnesota. Don't bother with Chicago, since they're now officially the Lions of the division.

Mainly, I'm just glad that Aaron Rodgers is gone, and has taken his constant whining and complaining and gigantic ridiculous contract with him. Now, last season, without Hackett as defensive coordinator, LaFleur was not that good with the offense. Let's see how he does this coming season with Rodgers also gone. And you again have to worry about the defense under Joe Barry. Remember, LaFleur insisted on sticking with Barry. So, Lafleur still has to prove that he is capable of making solid decisions in the hiring and firing of coaches under his supervision. Will Jordan Love work out? Will the defense improve? Will the offense be better? Will LaFleur be able to handle the dramatic changes overall? It's a brand new day all around. Huge opportunities for both success and failure abound.

I'm looking forward to the coming season.

As excited as I am about all of the young players on the Packers, I'm just as glad for veterans such as Jones, Dillon, Bakh, and Clark as key pieces to provide experience and leadership.
It's the veterans who give us a legitimate shot at 9 or 10 wins and a possibility of the playoffs.
We need the veterans to come through on and off the field to make this less of a rebuild and more of a reload.

Firstly, Being a fan of Rodgers and Gute was a tough spot to be in and however much i will miss Rodgers i am relieved it’s ended and both seem truly happy. Had to get that off my chest.

Every GM has their hits and misses on draft day but Gute performs exceptional. The memorable and debatable pick of Jordan Love will be his. Rebuild or reload will be defined by Love’s performance and I hope he is as good as he looked against Philly last season.

I believe that this team is loaded with talent and better than the Jets roster. Aaron Jones and Dillon are the best 1-2 punch in the league. I love Christian Watson and he was the rookie of the year and steal of the draft. Watson with Doubs and Jayden Reed will be dynamic to watch develop with Jordan. Throw in highly touted Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft sure hope Gute hits on one of them. Also, really like the Sean Clifford pick if Jordan falters.

Defensively, we have young Georgia talent and first rounders melding into a cohesive group. I do wish we would have sought out a different defensive coach. That second Viking game was a head scratcher last season when the packers changed something and we saw them destroy the Vikes while Jaire Alexander shut down the best young receiver in the league. That’s the kind of defense they are capable of. Rasul Douglas needs to be allowed to be the ball hawk he was in 2021.

Totally believe we are in a reload only a year removed from back to back to back 13-3 seasons with the nucleus still intact minus Rodgers. As everyone knows it’s all up to Love’s performance as to how good this team can be.

LET’S GO!

It's nice to be optimistic but some reality also is helpful.

I agree with his assessment of the returning players. He even downplayed the offensive line which isn't that bad. He also downplayed the linebackers, both are capable of being good.

But he made one fundamental flaw in his assessment: he assumes the rookies can come in and play like veterans. They will, in time, develop. Christian Watson didn't show his skills until past mid-season last year. An occasional rookie does play at a veteran level out of the blocks. But to assume that will happen right away is a major leap.

He forgets that even with Rodgers last year the Lions beat Green Bay in the cold at Lambeau. The Lions have also improved. The Bears will be better and the Vikings will, of course, self-destruct but they did win the division going away last year.

It's going to be a four-team dogfight to the finish. Can the Packers win the division? It's possible, but the new kids need to become veterans real fast.

Absolutely loved Keesian Nixon's comments. Exactly the type of fire these young guys need to have. Screw what the haters say. Its all just farts in the wind. This team is coming for scalps and I'm here for it.

"We're nobody's underdog."
-Mike McCarthy

“It’s nice to be optimistic but some reality is also helpful”
Great quote Harry, we all can be optimistic because we’re fans….but until the Packers show these teams that their softness is done and begin playing smash mouth football that makes teams dread playing them is the norm, then the Pack will still be in the rebuilding mode.
I didn’t make up the expression, but it fits at this point in time. “Reality s——s” As a fan, I’m prepared for a season of recalibration. This team has holes and hopefully the youthful players make those holes close quicker than normal.
Just MHO

If by "reloading", you mean we're trying to put a team on the field that can contend for the division, then yeah,we're reloading.

I wouldn't call what has happened a reset, re-boot, reload, or re-anything.

My description for this, is that it is a youth movement. The old guard are gone (Reed, Amos, Rodgers, Crosby, Cobb, Lewis). Holdovers David Bakhtiari and Pat O'Donnell are feeling their age now, as we go into the season with the youngest team in the league.

Top 5 OLine, top 5 LT, top 5 LG, top 5 RB, top RB duo, top 5 edge rusher, top 5 D lineman, top 5 ILB duo, top 5 CB, top 5 CB group, and I’m going to add top 5 TE duo.
This ain’t no rebuild!