Packers Offense is Coming On
Big play ability has made the unit more dangerous.
By KenLass
You can point to many different factors contributing to the Green Bay Packers disappointing record this season, but the most obvious one is also the most basic one. The Packers are simply not scoring enough points. Through the first thirteen weeks of the 2022 campaign, Green Bay ranked 23rd in scoring. If they were to finish the season in that position, it would be their lowest rank in 32 years, lower than even the 2017 and 2018 seasons, the last two campaigns that ended with a losing record. The last time the Packers finished a season ranking that low in scoring was 1990. You have to go back two more years to see a worse finish. Green Bay was 26th in 1988.
But there is some reason for encouragement. The Packers averaged a paltry seventeen points per game during the first nine weeks. In two of those games they finished in single digits, scoring just seven in week one against the Vikings and nine in week nine against the Lions. However, in the last four contests, they have improved to better than 27 points per game. In three of those four, they ran up their highest totals of the season, scoring 31 against Dallas, 33 against the Eagles, and 28 versus the Bears.
It’s no coincidence the surge coincides with the emergence of Christian Watson as a touchdown machine. He gives the team a receiver threat that must be accounted for on every play, something the team lacked early on. As Watson settled into the role of big play guy downfield, Allen Lazard has re-emerged as the short yardage possession guy. Combine this with the versatility of Aaron Jones, and the power running of AJ Dillon, and this Green Bay offense is finally becoming what we thought it could be.
Another big factor has been the Pack’s ability to score more touchdowns from the red zone. There was a time when touchdowns were practically automatic for the Pack if they got inside the twenty. Not so anymore. Through their first 13 games, Green Bay ranked 22nd in red zone touchdowns, crossing the goal line just over half the time (51%) they had the ball inside the opponent ‘s twenty. The offensive difficulties in the red zone actually began last season, when Green Bay slipped to 57 percent on touchdown conversions, and it has continued to decline this year.
In those last four encounters, the TD percentage is back up to 57, with the Packers converting on eight of fourteen trips to the red zone. That figure is a bit deceiving however. What is not reflected in those stats are the times Green Bay struck from beyond the twenty, usually by long bomb to Watson. Five of the six failures to score a touchdown resulted in field goals.
The maddening thing is that, when the Packers do come up short of the goal line, it’s not just one consistent problem causing the Packers to fail. It’s different stuff. The passing accuracy of Aaron Rodgers is certainly a factor. He has missed his share of open receivers in or near paydirt. Receivers have struggled to get open, forcing Rodgers to hold the ball and either take a sack or throw it away. Back-breaking penalties have also pushed the team further away from paydirt.
Let’s look at the most recent game against the Bears. In the second quarter, Green Bay advanced to a first and ten on the Chicago eleven yard line. Before even running a play, the Packers had confusion and had to call a time out. On first down, the blocking broke down on an Aaron Jones sweep to the right, and he was pushed out of bounds for a loss of one yard. On second down, none of the receivers could uncover, and Rodgers wound up scrambling around the left edge for a six yard gain to the five. On third down, Randall Cobb appeared open crossing the end zone right to left, but Rodgers turned it down, escaped the pocket to the opposite side of the field, and had to throw the ball away. Drive stalled. Pack settles for a Mason Crosby field goal.
With 5:43 remaining in the game, the Packers were trailing by one point, but had driven to the Chicago nineteen yard line with a first down. Jones had a solid seven yard gain on first down, but here again, on second down, the Bears' defense jump out on a sweep, this time to the left, and dump Jones for a two yard loss. On third down, Rodgers chooses to throw to a well covered Robert Tonyan over the middle in the end zone and can’t connect. Again, they settle for a Crosby field goal. It gave them their first lead, but the inability to punch it in to the end zone kept the Bears in the game. The Packers needed Jaire Alexander’s interception, and Christian Watson’s 46 yard touchdown run to put the game away.
But things are getting noticeably better. They did convert their only other red zone trip, although it took them four downs to do it, Rodgers hitting Watson for a fourteen yard score. And what the unit lacks in red zone efficiency, they are starting to make up for from long range. Recall in that Bears game AJ Dillon had an impressive score from 21 yards out, which just missed counting as a red zone possession.
So, all things considered, prospects are definitely looking up for the offense. The Packers are 2-2 in their last four games, and with any kind of consistent help from the defense, could well have won all four. The remaining opponents, the Rams, Dolphins, Lions and Vikings, all have issues on defense. There is every reason to believe Green Bay could be a lot of fun to watch when they have the ball down the stretch.
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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
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Comments (61)
NickPerry
December 12, 2022 at 07:32 am
"The remaining opponents, the Rams, Dolphins, Lions and Vikings, all have issues on defense. There is every reason to believe Green Bay could be a lot of fun to watch when they have the ball down the stretch."
I think Doubs should be ready to go and watching him and Watson should be entertaining. Also, with 3 of the next 4 games at Lambeau, it's definitely AJ Dillon time. Looking ahead to a week from today the Packers play the Rams on Monday Night Football. The weather is supposed to be cold. This is the PERFECT game to run the damn ball.
I'm also curious to see what happens after the Sunday Games are all played. Not to be a total downer but the Packers just could be eliminated for all playoff possibilities come Monday Night. Then what? Will we be slammed with "Could this be Rodgers last game at Lambeau" type shit? Who knows, but I'm 100% certain everything Rodgers says after will be dissected looking for the CRYPTIC meaning in everything he says. UGH!!
After the Rams game all I want is a Jordan Love lead offense. An offense WITH Jones, Dillon, Doubs, Watson, Lazard, and the starting O-Line. O don't really care about fun down the stretch though I think Love could provide TONS of fun. I'm much more interested in looking at the Packers who are the future.
RCPackerFan
December 12, 2022 at 08:02 am
I didn't see yours until I typed mine. We said a lot of the same things.
I'm really excited to see Doubs and Watson playing together! Its clearly the future of our WR position. I want to see them playing healthy together!
croatpackfan
December 12, 2022 at 08:15 am
The results of the 14 week pan out as favorable for Packers chances. Seattle & Giants lost their games, but Giants can win additional 2 to improve record to 9-7-1. Seattle has killer schedule and I can see only one additional win for them with record 8-9. Problem are Falcons and Panthers, both at 5-8 at the moment and much better schedule. Lions schedule give them opportunity to got 9-8 or even 10-7 at the end. It depends on their games vs Jets and Panthers, as they still have to play vs Panthers and Jets plus Bears & Packers.
If Packers lose just one game it will be very doubtful for Packers to enter Play offs.
Coldworld
December 12, 2022 at 08:20 am
More encouragement for Murphy to avoid planning for the future and continue to wallow in a past at its expense. That would be bad enough in terms of this campaign, but I fear it will embolden them to cling to Rodgers into the next with all that means for the cap during Watson & Doubs rookie contracts. Yes, Rodgers playing in 2023 means we will be hamstrung far more for that long. That’s without bringing up the fact that it will be used to excuse one of the worst coaching staffs in decades (other than STs).
croatpackfan
December 12, 2022 at 09:52 am
I agree Coldworld. And this is sad.
Also was sad to see yesterday how UDFA QB not only win over GOAT, but humiliate him. And that will be future for the Packers, too.
NFL is changing. New ideas, new attitude at offense and on defense, but Packers (looks like) will stay captured in the past 12 to 15 years ago.
It is not ridiculous, it is idiotic. I'm affraid that Mark Murphy leads the Packers back to 70s & 80s of last century. To stay on top you need to follow the development of others if you are not able to be the leader of that development. Path to the future does not lead through past.
Leatherhead
December 12, 2022 at 01:24 pm
I don't get how you can say stuff like that.
Plan for the future? What do you think the Packers have been doing since before they drafted Love?
Last year, quite a few intelligent and knowledgable people here and elsewhere made the case that the Packers would be better in 2022 with Rodgers at QB than they would with Love. Rodgers was the MVP and we had won 13 games again. Now, he's a 39 year old, injured, on a losing team. There's not nearly the support for bringing him back. And if I understand correctly, it's to the Packers advantage, economically, to move him.
We took one last shot with the MVP. The situation has changed since then.
croatpackfan
December 12, 2022 at 03:04 pm
So, the statements that ACR will be Packers QB in 2023nfrom FO is garbage?
More than few intelligent and knowledgable people here already stated that father time caught ACR last season. When you go through stats, you can see how his efficiency is sliding down. Even with Adams on the team. Also, ACR is not the guy who can jump over the NFCCG, what is proved 4 times, 3 times in the row. Repeating what is unsuccessful is not taking care of the future. Smart people call it different.
mrtundra
December 12, 2022 at 08:37 am
The Rams, Dolphins, Lions and vikings are all beatable teams, coming down the stretch. 3 of 4 games are at Lambeau Field, not that home field advantage means much, to this team, but it gives us a shot to win all 4. The Rams have not been playing good ball, for what seems to be most of the season. The vikings have had a soft schedule, all season, and are coming into their own as they begin losing. The Dolphins and Lions should be our toughest games to win. It is unknown how Miami will play against us and we all should know that the Lions always play us tough. If we can get our run defense to improve, a tiny bit, it will help us. I'm praying we run the table and am waiting for the inevitable purple choke. Until then, I'll be cheering on the Packers. GO PACK, GO!!!
Hematite
December 12, 2022 at 01:25 pm
I'm hoping that the Packers/Rams game gets flexed out of Monday night to Sunday afternoon slot.
Packerpasty
December 12, 2022 at 07:08 pm
Tons of fun as in the KC last year after which Greg Jennings commented that "Love is not the answer" in Green Bay, or for his total of 3 td's and 3ints? I watch every Packer game some in person, I go to training camp and pre season games, I for one, am not anxious to see Jordan Love take the reins...
SicSemperTyrannis
December 15, 2022 at 09:40 am
I think it would be smart (after Monday) to have AR12 start but then pull him once he's not effective. If he scored on the two opening drives, fails after that,then JL10 gets 10 points on the next two only to stall out and be replaced by AR, that's not terrible. Getting JL on the field is important, I think; but see no reason it has to be all or nothing.
Develop the depth on the rest of the roster, too! Get the two O linemen at 6'9" on film.
RCPackerFan
December 12, 2022 at 07:44 am
It is truly amazing how Watson has changed the Packers offense. Until Watson's 3 TD game against Dallas, the offense was a mess and inconsistent.
Since then they have found something. The Running game has been improved. AJ Dillon is becoming a wrecking crew again.
I'm hoping we can see Doubs back this week. He could add another big time weapon to the offense. Before he got hurt he was our top WR. He got hurt on the first play in Detroit. Who knows what happens in that game if he doesn't get hurt. I can't wait to see how he pairs with this version of Watson!
3 of the next 4 games are at home. We finally have the bye. Hopefully they will have figured a few things out coming out of the bye and improve a few things. I'm excited to watch the final 4 games and see what happens.
1962Packer
December 12, 2022 at 07:48 am
Gute agreed to a contract that says AR isn't going anywhere; unless he retires, giving up a truck load of money. Gute said, in answer to a question about trading Love; it would take an outrageous offer. (That means that yes he would trade Love for the right offer.) He announced that Love is ready to be a starting QB. (That is GM talk for make me an offer, for this wonderful QB that you have to take his word for how wonderful he is.) By the way, going into the end of a game, with the other team having a good lead, and playing to stop the long ball, with no pass rush, and a touchdown pass that was more due to the WR's speed than the throw, is not an indication that he is future Hall of Fame bound.
LambeauPlain
December 12, 2022 at 08:13 am
You are making the assumption Gutey is an actual GM. He isn’t. He is Murphy’s Admin Assistant.
Murphy is the acting GM. His Football Operation Committee has Gutey, MLF, and Ball with equal power…each able to play on each other’s sandbox by pleading with Murphy to veto another’s decision.
Gutey has just a fraction of the power TT, Sherman or Wolf had.
Coldworld
December 12, 2022 at 08:25 am
Murphy is indeed the only one who can make that decision. Gute controls neither coaches or contracts. They, LaFleur and Ball, both report to Murphy only. It’s neither secret nor complicated, just lamentable.
croatpackfan
December 12, 2022 at 08:33 am
What I read from those statements is that Brian Gutekunst knows he has no power to influence team decision and accepting that. What he basically said is that Packers will (BG with sorrow) trade Jordan Love if they get rich ransom, because he knows Jordan Love should be present and future for Packers, but that depends of others decisions, not his.
I predict, if ACR stays he will push Packers to 70s and 80s relevance in NFL. And I believe that this franchise that has the most wins in NFL will quickly lose that title.
Everybody understands that NFL is developing and that you should develop with them. Only Packers management decided to stay in the past thinking they are able to be relevant with old QB who already shows all the signs of father time influence.
I call that attitude idiotic. Only complete idiots can believe this is possible.
If you want prive for that, go, watch Bucs - Niners yesterday game. Tom Brady is finished as well. It was sad to see that undrafted rookie QB not only won vs GOAT, but humiliated him.
Packerpasty
December 12, 2022 at 09:34 am
Brady sure is finished...and when people complain about Rodgers rolling his eyes when a WR runs a bad route they must not be watching Brady scowl and scream at people, coaches included...both guys, AR and TB need an outstanding team surrounding them at this point in their careers and neither has that..
stockholder
December 12, 2022 at 10:47 am
Bart Starr had a great team around him. Every QB does.
croatpackfan
December 12, 2022 at 08:33 am
What I read from those statements is that Brian Gutekunst knows he has no power to influence team decision and accepting that. What he basically said is that Packers will (BG with sorrow) trade Jordan Love if they get rich ransom, because he knows Jordan Love should be present and future for Packers, but that depends of others decisions, not his.
I predict, if ACR stays he will push Packers to 70s and 80s relevance in NFL. And I believe that this franchise that has the most wins in NFL will quickly lose that title.
Everybody understands that NFL is developing and that you should develop with them. Only Packers management decided to stay in the past thinking they are able to be relevant with old QB who already shows all the signs of father time influence.
I call that attitude idiotic. Only complete idiots can believe this is possible.
If you want prive for that, go, watch Bucs - Niners yesterday game. Tom Brady is finished as well. It was sad to see that undrafted rookie QB not only won vs GOAT, but humiliated him.
BAMABADGER
December 12, 2022 at 12:26 pm
Actually, Brock Purdy was selected by the 49ers with the final pick in the NFL Draft, making him - Mr. Irrelevant 2022. He proved to be very relevant yesterday against the Bucs.
croatpackfan
December 12, 2022 at 03:09 pm
Well, you are right. But picked by last pick is just nice that you can say you were drafted...
LambeauPlain
December 12, 2022 at 07:58 am
In 9 games the year, the D has given up 23 points or more. That is simply a coaching failure for a defense beginning the season with 7 first rounders and the 2nd highest paid starting defense in the NFL.
Barry, as his resume proves, is coaching as expected…consistently poor and as usual stubbornly forces players to play his soft scheme.
Barry is oblivious to the strength of his players. MLF is oblivious to any football played outside of offense.
Guam
December 12, 2022 at 08:31 am
I share your frustration with the Packer defense. I don't mind seeing a soft zone on occasion, but for heaven's sake, change it up once in a while. When you consistently play the same defense, the opposing OC (and QB) will eventually figure out where the soft spots are and keep calling the plays that beat it.
Effective NFL defenses have the ability to play multiple looks and keep changing them up so that OC's don't know what is coming on any given play. You can't play vanilla defense in the NFL and win. Unfortunately Barry hasn't figured that out yet.
RCPackerFan
December 12, 2022 at 08:52 am
Same.
I saw a graph over the weekend that showed 4 groups of defenses. The bottom side was bad defense, the top side was good defense. The left side was changing looks little, the right side was changing looks often. The packers were one of the 3 worst teams in the bottom left corner. Meaning they rarely changed their looks and were a bad defense.
I thought it was interesting because that backed up what I have seen as well.
Guam
December 12, 2022 at 10:07 am
I knew what I was seeing, but I was having hard time convincing myself that a DC could be that naive (read: stupid). You have to play a chess game with the OC - too predictable and you basically forfeit.
I would love to see a reference to that graph RCP. Very interesting stuff.......!!!
Coldworld
December 12, 2022 at 01:05 pm
That inflexibility matches my impressions merely watching. An interesting tidbit. The immediate thought that it prompted was that despite that, this D is constantly uncoordinated. That takes some doing, surely?
Coldworld
December 12, 2022 at 08:13 am
An offense that is more than run and throw into the same areas is an obvious improvement over what we rolled out previously.
Not only do we stretch the field vertically, helping the RBs and OL, we help with the shorter game by stretching defenses and giving more time to the QB: a very strong virtuous circle. The lesson of this season should be that when you have inadequate experienced options, potential though raw, is a better option.
The Cobb, Lazard, Watkins futility could have been better had we realized this earlier and been more willing to be aggressive with Doubs, playing Toure more and, with a little help from Watson’s health as well as getting those crossers going, on which he thrived in college. We still aren’t great, we struggle if the run is contained and 90 percent of what LaFleur calls is cautious to the point of pointlessness.
Yes, Watson makes us better, but he doesn’t make us good or excuse the leadership, usage and tactical buffoonery. Right now he’s just deceiving people into losing sight of the fact that we need to move on and begin to start taking steps to build around him and Doubs with no free cap. The sooner we start then the more chance that Watson’s potential can help achieve real success. At the moment we are drowning in caution and living in a bygone era that threatens to deprive these promising shoots of oxygen.
Since'61
December 12, 2022 at 08:35 am
I will be looking forward to seeing Love play with the starting offense as soon as feasible. I'm hoping that the Packers offense can take the field in 2023 with all of its skill players including Aaron Jones. If Love can prove what he can do over the final 3-4 games I would enjoy watching him play with this offense and our starting offense as it has been over the last few weeks. Add in Doubs and Toure with a few additions from the next draft plus an actual OC and the Packers offense could quickly move up in the league scoring ranks once again.
The question is what if Love does not play well and the offense doesn't move the ball?. A lot is being made of 12 passes thrown against a defense that was playing in what they considered was garbage time and a TD that was scored via a WR with incredible speed.
If Love is inconsistent that could leave the Packers with numerous questions for the future of their QB position. Trading Love becomes less feasible. If Rodgers returns for 2023 the Packers would be OK for one more season. But is Love the future or do they draft a QB for the future. If Rodgers retires do they start Love and draft a QB to eventually replace Love? What happens to picking up Love's 5th year option?
Bottom line is that Love needs to play over the final 4 games. He needs the experience and the Packers need answers so they can make the appropriate off season decisions. If Love plays now he can with no pressure to win and with 3 of the last 4 games at Lambeau. This is the perfect opportunity for everyone involved. The Packers need to take advantage of this rare opportunity to evaluate Love and give him a fair chance to make his statement. Thanks, Since '61
T7Steve
December 12, 2022 at 09:06 am
It shouldn't matter how well Love plays if the offense is working. If it's left up to the quarterback to win it, we see where it leads. Just hand the ball off make the correct reads, don't turn the ball over.
We saw backups and third stringers all over the league this weekend be successful because their coaches let them play to their strengths.
Coldworld
December 12, 2022 at 09:16 am
I was pondering yesterday and wondering how many games we would have lost this season had Love started instead of Rodgers. I ignored the possibility that Love might have won any we lost (all other players the same).
I came up with a Maximum of 2. Tampa and Dallas. Mainly because we’ve seen that Love and Watson can connect but that I have to assume the risk of an additional key interception or disconnect. I gave Rodgers some credit for great throws (the one to Doubs in the end zone corner) and didn’t acknowledge the potential for Love making them. I’m still at 2 and, if I’m honest, maybe 1 is more credible.
This is not meant to be a knock on Rodgers either. He can only play behind the line he’s given and with the game plan run. It’s just an exercise pointing to his value on this team/roster as coached. In counterpoint, I would say it’s at least arguable that the loss of Garry’s ability to get to the QB on a base blitz has already possibly cost us that. I also firmly believe that LaFleur’s approach to personnel (WR/OL included) and game planning has cost us potentially double that regardless of the QB. Barry too, so let’s say 4 between them.
If Im close to right, this whole team structure is self defeating. If I’m wrong about Rodgers and Love, i am confident I’m not wrong about 4 from LaFleur/Barry. So my reality is the major cap impediment is not a significant positive difference maker and that the coaching is definitely a major negative one. That, folks us a double whammy of critical failings.
The one bright spot is actually this draft is potentially generationally good. If it is let’s not choke it under poor coaching and crushing cap limitations! The first step is getting Love and less players not likely here next year out there and seeing what they deliver over as many snaps as possible against as many different opponents as possible.
The Bears and Rams were, on paper, perhaps the best opportunities to bring on and settle a younger generation in season as one could look for. That opportunity looks like being wasted for a minuscule mathematical possibility to scrape into the playoffs with a team unwilling to address even Barry. Ludicrous.
Since'61
December 12, 2022 at 12:21 pm
Another excellent post Coldworld. I would much prefer to play meaningful games this December and every December for that matter. But we are where we are. This opportunity to see how the Packers heir apparent QB can play with the starting offense over a four game stretch is a rare opportunity for an NFL team in this era.
Two of our opponents will be playing meaningful games over this stretch, specifically the Dolphins and the Vikings.
IMO it's vital for the Packers to see how Love plays against those 2 teams. Both teams will probably be playing for
seeding in the playoffs. The Lions may still be alive for the final game of the season but I'm guessing they will be eliminated by then. For me it will be important to see how Love plays against 2 of our division rivals regardless of the standings.
Even if the Packers are somehow "technically" alive at that point in the season I would prefer to see Love play and get some answers to help the Packers decide whether to pick up his 5th year option or not. The Packers should not waste this opportunity on a very slim playoff chance.
Making the playoffs is probably pointless as this coaching staff has demonstrated that they do not adequately prepare the team for the playoffs based on what we have witnessed in the previous three consecutive playoff losses. I would have zero expectations that this team could get past any of the top NFC teams on the road.
All of this supports the reasoning to play Love and evaluate his performance with the #1 offense for the remainder of the season. Will it happen? I doubt it based upon the organization's decision making in the past.
As for how many games would we have lost with Love I actually think that we could have defeated the Jets, Commanders and the Lions with Love as our starting QB in those games. Maybe we lose to Dallas, which would make us 7-6 coming out of this bye week. And let's say Rodgers returns with a completely healed thumb. The possibility to go 11-6 or 10-7 would be much more realistic than our current chances for making the playoffs. And if the team got hot over the final 4 remaining games who knows how far they could go in the playoffs. Not to mention the advantage of actually knowing whether or not Love is the future QB for the Packers. But poor decision making has reigned at 1265 yet again for this season. Whatever happens next will not surprise me.
Thanks, Since '61
Coldworld
December 12, 2022 at 01:11 pm
I tried to take speculation about Love winning ones we lost out of the picture in order not to confuse the issue—since we really don’t know how Love would have played because we’ve little actual evidence of it..
My intent was to look at what Rodgers has brought to this team this year in terms of wins as opposed to starting our back up throughout.
The more I looked the more I found myself thinking that the coaching was a much bigger factor and that Rodgers really wasn’t: bad value on both counts.
Packerpasty
December 12, 2022 at 06:52 pm
you must not know that Love will set the league afire..most others on this forum seem to think so anyway...why they think that is unknown,, but they do...
SicSemperTyrannis
December 15, 2022 at 09:59 am
I see everyone saying it has to be all or nothing with AR12 or JL10. I don't think it does. Clearly the most winnable game is Monday vs Rams. Start AR, but if he turns ineffective put in JL. Hopefully AR scores on the opening two drives, he's done that some. This would be meaningful playing time for JL and if he stalls you don't have to leave him in until you lose. You can put a fresh AR back in and still win at least one more game.
I think that strategy works in all the other games and if they don't do it they're really saying they don't want anybody to see him fail so they can get excessive value out of him on a trade. I don't think that will work. If that's what they want it means JL was a bad pick, and the receivers available instead further prove that.
I don't think it's a good idea to play AR the whole time and risk further injury. His contract means they can't afford to trade him. I don't believe he's washed out, he's had no protection and has been playing injured. That's more than enough to cause his drop in performance.
T7Steve
December 12, 2022 at 08:57 am
Thanks, Ken.
Yours and all the previous comments have hit anything I might say. They can't call it the Gold Zone for a while.
Excited to watch the youngsters for the last 4 games.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
December 12, 2022 at 09:18 am
I'm confident Rodgers will want to return in 2023, but likely beyond that if no significant injuries. I don't see the thumb or ribs as significant. I'm talking concussion, or knee type injuries.
Having said that I believe Rodgers has to be very enthusiastic about the offenses future with development of some of the younger players. Even still he is going to want to wait to see what is done with players like Love, Cobb, Bachtiari, Tonyan, Jenkins, Jones, and Lazard.
Something I have not seen anyone on here talk about is how Mark Murphy flew to Mississippi and offered Favre $20 million to retire as a GBP. Does anyone see this scenario happening with Murphy offering Rodgers a large cash offer to retire in 2023, or 2024? If this happened what would be the cap hit?
Reverting back to the 2023 offense I think most of us believe there is a good chance either Rodgers, or Love is traded for draft picks. Agree Love has to play more in 2023 for everyone (NFL) to have a better idea what type of player he will be (I already have a good idea...he will be very good), but I cannot envision either QB being traded for less than a 1st and 2nd rounder (like for Adam's), where we selected Quay Walker, and Christian Watson (while also using one of our own #2's).
I maintain if a QB is traded the only common sense trade would stand to reason being Rodgers based on his age as the Packers transition would be seamless with Love. An extra #1 and #2 (minimum) in the draft could really help turn the team around quicker. I would envision in this scenario the team likely would use 2 top draft selections on offense, and 2 draft selections on defense thru the first two rounds. Good selections combined with existing young talented players would position the team favorably to be ready to challenge in 2024. This is the scenario I find encouraging and will be on my Christmas wish for the offseason.
PackyCheese500
December 12, 2022 at 09:25 am
Really? You think Rodgers will want to come back to GB and try to win a Super Bowl with this currently 5-8 roster that is on a trajectory for a rebuild? If I am Rodgers, I would want to be traded to a better team so I can have a better chance of winning a ring in the twilight of my career. I have checked, and he wouldn’t lose any of his money; he would just receive it from a different tram
If we were to trade the younger, cheaper QB with more upside (Love; which would be a HORRIBLE idea), I don’t think we’d get much in compensation, maybe a day 3 pick at best. While the Packers see him every day in practice, the rest of the league only has 80 snaps, and only 9 this season. Rodgers we could get a lot for if the team is desperate enough.
If the FO is deluded enough to let Rodgers stick around for 2023, then they have to relegate him to backup duty. Just as Rodgers was growing impatient sitting behind Favre, Love is also growing impatient, and understandably so.
These are the options I see for 2023: 1) This is the most preferable, in my opinion, but Rodgers is traded to the Jets. That way we could get some premier draft capital as well. 2) Rodgers returns as Love’s backup. The Packers don’t have the players Rodgers wants to satisfy him at his age, and they won’t for 2023 either. Love deserves an opportunity; what else can the Packers do to prepare him to be a staring QB other than give him real game experience? We must embrace the players who are on the rise, not those who are on the decline. Anyone who actually thinks the Packers can make the playoffs is just looking through rose colored glasses (or green and gold colored, lol). 3) Rodgers doesn’t want to be a backup and doesn’t want to play for another team, so he retires. This one is self explanatory.
Coldworld
December 12, 2022 at 09:33 am
I brought that up recently as a reminder that it was Murphy’s handling of that “media contract” offer that purportedly made Favre determined to play for the Vikings.
A retired player can be paid anything for non on field work whether coaching or media or whatever without hitting the cap. The Packers are cash rich. Favre was supposedly offered 20 million over 3 to 5 years. Rodgers could be given a similar offer (of larger size). How he’d react is impossible to know. I think we fool ourselves into thinking he’s any more willing to move out of the limelight than Favre was. It’s possible that he could be, he’s set up for life and does have wider interests, but none of those offer the public profile.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
December 12, 2022 at 10:23 am
Exactly CW!
13TimeChamps
December 12, 2022 at 10:35 am
"An extra #1 and #2 (minimum) in the draft could really help turn the team around quicker."
Acquiring Rodgers at this point...meaning next year...would probably amount to a 1 or 2 year rental, considering his age. I have a hard time seeing any team giving up that much draft capital for a player turning 40 and 41 the next 2 years. That ship sailed off into the sunset last offseason.
But I agree, that would be one hell of a Xmas present!
Leatherhead
December 12, 2022 at 12:09 pm
Knock, I agree that Rodgers will want to play in 2023. He hasn't had the football beaten out of him yet,
I'll bet you a cold six pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon that it'll be Love at the helm in next year's opener, and I have quite a few reasons that the change is going to happen. From the organization's perspective, it helps them financially.
This isn't like the last two offseasons when he was the MVP and we were a 13 win team. Now, IMO, if you polled everybody in the stadium next week, including players, fans, media, coaches, etc., you'd find only a distinct minority that believes we should stick with Rodgers.
We'll be paying Rodgers to play in front of a crowd where quite a few of the people think he's hurting the team and it's time to move on. I don't think that's going to happen.
The most likely course of events is that we trade him to a team that needs immediate help at QB. The organization would receive a little salary cap relief and some type of draft compensation. We got a Day 2 pick for Favre.
The stuff you mentioned about a Favre payout back in the day...2007....is true. Apparently, the Packers had a lot to gain financially from having a good relationship with Favre, and vice-versa. That's why they eventually reconciled. But at the time, the team was willing to pay Favre money to stay retired, because if he unretired, we'd have to go through all the crap that we ended up going through.
If you really want to get way outside the box, we could package Rodgers and Jones. Rodgers is cheap for the acquiring team, Jones is a little more, but that's a high quality starting backfield for an offense-starved team. (Bucs, Texans, Colts) . And if the trades were made post-draft, they'd still have their high picks in this draft, so you could improve a team's offense by a huge leap.
Meanwhile, the Packers will go forward: The Opening Day Offensive Lineup is going to look quite a bit like this:
Love and Dillon in the backfield
Lazard, Watson, Doubs
Nijman, Runyan, Jenkins,Myers, Tom, Deguara .
That's without adding any offensive starters in the draft. Myself, personally, I'd add offensive linemen and a TE on Day Two.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 15, 2022 at 10:04 am
Talking about trading AR12 makes no sense, his contract means the organization can't afford it. Trading JL10 would mean AR was right and they should have picked a WR instead.
We are looking at lots of mistakes in coaching and the front office.
Packerpasty
December 12, 2022 at 09:28 am
Being a bye week and watching a couple of games yesterday, part of them at least, one thing is for sure...the Lions are playing with enthusiasm and fire, their coaching staff is good and still learning...watching Campbell on the sidelines is 100% different than watching MLF on the Packers sideline...MLF just seems stumped as what to do when things go south, looks bewildered and afraid...oh yah, he waves his arms once in a while but that does nothing...Packers better watch out or they will soon be the doormats of the division, sad to say...
PackyCheese500
December 12, 2022 at 09:32 am
We need someone more enthusiastic and invested, like Campbell of the Lions or Vrabel of the Titans. Maybe such a change at DC will do the trick; or maybe we need a new HC. I don’t like MLFs leadership, but I like his play calling.
Coldworld
December 12, 2022 at 09:47 am
He calls some interesting individual plays, but his overall game calling has been consistently atrocious in my view, especially at key moments.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 15, 2022 at 10:11 am
Play calling? How many drives have ended with 3rd and short and a deep pass falling incomplete? Bring in the two O linemen at 6'9" give the ball to Quadzilla and PUSH. Keep doing that then before it doesn't work make it look the same but give them the easiest pass protection assignment possible with a 5 yard route to Aaron Jones. Even if they can't play the whole possession and march it in for a TD you at least have film on them and can develop. The rest of the league combined has what, two players at 6'9" and one of them is Vita Vea?
I put this season entirely on coach failing to adjust - and past mistakes in the front office.
PackyCheese500
December 12, 2022 at 09:42 am
An update on the Packers’ playoff odds:
If the Packers are to make the playoffs, they cannot have more than one of these outcomes come true. If two or more happen, then they will be eliminated.
-The Washington Commanders win 2 more games (likely against the Browns and Giants).
-The New York Giants win 2 more games (likely against the Colts and the Eagles in week 18, when they will likely be resting their starters because they’ve clinched the top seed).
-The Seattle Seahawks either win 3 more games or beat the 49ers and Rams.
This is assuming the Packers win out…
croatpackfan
December 12, 2022 at 10:01 am
You forget about Panthers. They also have a little bit easier schedule than others and sits 5-8 as Packers does. Also do not forget about Falcons (also 5-8).
If Lions win over Bears and Panthers deciding game may be at Lambeau. Winner gets play off. But if Lions find a way to beat Jets next Sunday, Packers will need more than miracle to reach play offs.
Packers1985
December 12, 2022 at 12:57 pm
Since both panthers and Falcons are in the same division. If any of those teams wins out then Bucs will end up with the same standing as us or the falcons or Panthers.
I Think the tie breaker goes to packers as they have more wins in the division compared to those 3. Coming to winning the remaining games i doubt we can win against the high flying dolphins Offense and Rodgers has a very poor record in florida and also our secondary has some issues against deep throws( which maimi thrives on). Coming to the final lions game even that would be a shoot out. Lions are playing some real good football these last few weeks.
PackyCheese500
December 12, 2022 at 01:57 pm
If the Panthers win out, they will win the NFC South
Ferrari-Driver
December 12, 2022 at 09:47 am
Ken, you explained the disappointment in the offense scoring points quite well. I certainly agree that the wide receiver room additions are encouraging. When I look at the big picture, I am woefully disappointed in the enigmatic play of our defense this season. I had high hopes for a defense that was dominate against the run and could do equally well shutting down the pass.
Perhaps you would consider penning an article discussing that aspect of our team.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 15, 2022 at 10:14 am
Coaching. It begins and ends with coaching. Yes, Jaire has been beaten on some big plays but he's still talented. The scheme has been all wrong and opponents have picked it apart.
Handsback
December 12, 2022 at 10:06 am
My hope is that Rodgers sees next year maybe better but still not a playoff quality team. Upon seeing the team's LOFT, he retires. I don't see Rodgers going to another team (I'm being realistic in who would want him with the money issue) and why come back and go through another year of frustration. Now the money would be good, and he could use that in his NBA endeavor, but I suspect he has enough squirreled away to do whatever he wants, except buy Facebook.
Can Love lead the way? I hope the team finds that out this season. I saw a young receiver perform yesterday that Green Bay could use...found out after seeing him catch a contested TD, and a few 1st downs that it was Amari Rodgers. In a few weeks Amari Rodgers did more for a bad team than he ever did with Green Bay after years of being on the roster. Maybe it's not the players, but the coaches.
13TimeChamps
December 12, 2022 at 10:44 am
"Maybe it's not the players, but the coaches."
Or maybe it was a certain QB who didn't want to throw him the ball. It's amazing how he became a competent NFL receiver immediately after leaving GB.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 15, 2022 at 10:20 am
Yes it's the coaches! We knew last year that Amari Rogers is NOT a returner. And they gave up on him as a WR. A mistake this organization could NOT afford was to dump him for no value after the trade deadline expired. Another would be to trade AR12, just too much cap hit. His contract guarantees he plays in GB until he retires.
Having him as backup to JL10 would be a better option, but I don't think he's done; he's had no protection and has been playing hurt. That more than explains his drop in performance.
stockholder
December 12, 2022 at 11:22 am
Rodger's is playing to win. From this day on; everyone gets a fresh start. Just win baby. Give it your best.
The guessing is over. Jordan Love was never the solution. The OL was. Watson was. Dillion was. Rodgers was a QB without a Team.
And if you think Love won't costs a thing. You're gravely mistaken. He will cost us Rodgers. And more money and needs later.
Guty needs to trade LOVE. If we don't put more into this offense than Love. Love will Nuke the future.
The 2023 draft favors the packers needs. A extra pick gets another weapon. To take the top off a Defense.
Tes to replace the failures. And a DL to put us in front of the rankings.
BAMABADGER
December 12, 2022 at 01:14 pm
Sorry, but the future was "nuked" with the ridiculous contract offered to an aged Rodgers.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 15, 2022 at 10:27 am
I agree the Packers have not played like a team. That's on the coaches. MLF needs to learn to adjust when nothing they're doing works. He had 0 experience with that before this year.
If they don't play Love I think it means they don't want anybody to see him fail so they can get excessive value from him in a trade. I don't think that idea will work. If they try this they're admitting AR12 was right and they should have gotten a WR instead.
Between mistakes from coaches and front office I don't see GB being competitive again for some time. If AR12 retires it means he agrees. They can't afford to trade him, his contract made sure of that. Playing him as backup to JL10 next year is not a terrible option.
Packerpasty
December 12, 2022 at 06:45 pm
DYN-O-MITE!!
Packerpasty
December 12, 2022 at 06:57 pm
Lions head coach who was made fun of for the first quarter of the season as being in over his head, has grown into his role and actually fires up his team, the players love him...then you look at MLF on the sidelines and just shake your head...he's just not a leader...good football mind maybe but a "fire up" leader?? Funny stuff...plus the Lions have a darn good coaching staff to go with the head coach...Pack will still beat them at Lambeau though..hey, its Jared Goff!! If things continue as they are this year with coaching, offense and defense, the Pack is head for the bottom of the Division...maybe for years to come...
PhantomII
December 12, 2022 at 10:10 pm
Yes, Christian Watson is coming on. He's 50-75% of the offensive points. If ML can scheme him to 3 or more TD's per game we may sweep the remaining games. If he can't, we won't.