Let's Get Ready To Rumble: A Brand-New Era for the Green Bay Packers
In the words of Bart Scott, "can't wait."
By rex.sheild
Once quarterback Aaron Rodgers established himself as, well, Aaron Rodgers, one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League (and four times, the best player in the NFL), the expectation was that the Green Bay Packers would at the very least contend for the NFC North title, with the distinct possibility of making a deep playoff run, season in and season out. Did that happen every year? No, but it happened more years than not. 2023 will be a season unlike any other, not only because of Rodgers’ absence but because of the legitimate question marks this year’s squad has.
In short, it feels like this year’s squad is voyaging into the Wild Wild West, a place where they could discover gold and find themselves back on top of the NFC North. They could also run into landmine after landmine, unable to maneuver the treacherous waters of life without a tier-one NFL quarterback and become ingrained in quicksand thanks to a roster that is largely too young and raw to be consistent enough in the NFL week over week. (The average age on the 53-man roster is 25.5, the youngest in the league, and 28 players are either in their first or second year.) I would be surprised if the Packers finish last in the NFC North, but it’s at least a possibility according to some sports books. I would also be surprised if the Packers finish first in the NFC North, but again, it’s at least a possibility. And since the range of outcomes is that distinct, I can’t wait to see how the season unfolds.
I understand that grandiose conclusions cannot be drawn from preseason action, but I think QB1 Jordan Love showed enough during those three games and throughout training camp that he will not be a complete dumpster fire in his first year as a starter. I imagine that he will have some games that show he is on his way to becoming a big ole pain in the rear for opposing defenses for years to come and will make fans clamor for the front office to sign him to a lucrative multi-year extension. I am sure that he will have some games where he completes 17-of-32 passes for 175 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, leaving fans and others wondering whether he is the long-term answer at the position.
Altogether, I think he will be fine in 2023; if he’s more than fine, that’s a cherry on top. Thankfully, the Packers have one of the best offensive lines in the entire league, a godsend for any quarterback and that is especially the case for a first-year starter.
Many are gushing over the potential of Love’s projected top four pass catchers (of the non-running back variety) — wide receivers Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Jayden Reed as well as tight end Luke Musgrave — and rightfully so. But it is worth acknowledging that ESPN.com's Bill Barnwell previously pointed out that the average age of a wide receiver or tight end who is projected to receive a target for Green Bay in 2023 is 23.4 years old. That age is the second-youngest since 1990, trailing only the 2017 Cleveland Browns, a team that went winless. Moreover, if any of the top three wide receivers miss time due to an injury, will that be a death blow to that group and the offense as a whole? Can Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon pick up the slack on the ground and through the air? Are those two capable of shouldering the load even if there aren’t any injuries to the top wide receivers?
It is not a hot take to acknowledge that this season is put up or shut up for defensive coordinator Joe Barry. Talent is not an issue. The defense is filled with eight former first-round selections, highlighted by Jaire Alexander, Kenny Clark, and Rashan Gary. The Packers appear to have depth along the defensive line, but the same cannot be said at inside linebacker. If Quay Walker or De’Vondre Campbell are sidelined by an injury, things could go sideways for the defense in a hurry. In the backend, can the team’s strong cornerback room make up for and mask the below-average (to put it lightly) safety room?
Last but not least, the Packers’ youth movement spread to the special teams unit as the team has a rookie punter and a rookie kicker. Let me repeat that again. The Packers have a rookie punter and a rookie kicker. A rollercoaster ride like you read about.
And that might very well encapsulate Green Bay as we inch closer to Sunday’s contest. A season that will likely be full of so many twists and turns that Packer fans have not been accustomed to, perhaps causing sickness and queasiness for some in the process.
So, let’s fasten our seatbelts and prepare for a brand-new era of Packer football, with the first test being against the Chicago Bears. Go figure.
__________________________
Rex is a lifelong Packers fan but was sick of the cold, so he moved to the heart of Cowboys country. Follow him on Twitter (@Sheild92) and Instagram (@rex.sheild).
Comments (63)
dblbogey
September 04, 2023 at 12:30 pm
I love the talent level, speed, athleticism. I love having a mobile QB again. I'm optimistic and very excited about this year. The team we see Sunday will look a lot different by week 10. It should be interesting. Good health to the Packers and Aaron Rodgers.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
September 04, 2023 at 06:08 pm
I'll take chemistry over experience any day of the week. Last year's team had no heart. That wont be a problem anymore.
Bitternotsour
September 04, 2023 at 06:24 pm
as the greeks say, a fish rots from the head...
Gman1976
September 04, 2023 at 06:55 pm
I too am excited about the speed at WR and the young and new talent we have. My main concerns are the special teams (due to our rookie kickers) and the coaches. Will MF and Barry make the necessary in-game adjustments or just revert to wash, rinse, and repeat? Will MF show leadership and replace both players and coaches who make the same mistakes or who are not making a difference? We have so much potential, but do we have the leadership that will squeeze the best out of our talent?
TKWorldWide
September 05, 2023 at 07:34 am
Yes!
Pretty likely that defenses will,load the box to stop 33 and 28; and when they do, 9 and 11 (and possibly even 88) can shred them deep.
Yeah, buoy! GPG
SoCalJim
September 04, 2023 at 12:36 pm
I’m with dblbogey on this! I think the 2023 Packers are qualitatively better than the 2022 squad. Faster, more talented, just less experienced. I am very optimistic about these guys! Even if we’re not a playoff team this year, we should be excited about the team’s potential heading into 2024. Go Pack Go (and crush the Bears)!
Leatherhead
September 04, 2023 at 12:38 pm
I’m not a “new era” guy. Same Pres, GM, CFO. Same HC. Most of the same players. We replaced a 39 year old QB, who had the worst season of his career, with a guy we’ve been preparing for years.
It’s a new era if you think the QB is the team. I don’t.
egbertsouse
September 04, 2023 at 01:20 pm
It must be nice back there in the 1960s but here in the 21st century the QB is pretty much the team in the NFL. How many Super Bowls has New England won since Brady left? How many more would KC win if Mahomes retired today?
Leatherhead
September 04, 2023 at 02:04 pm
So….the reason that 31 teams don’t win the Super Bowl is because their QB isn’t good enough? And Stafford wasn’t a good enough QB until he joined the Rams? And Drew Brees was only good enough one year? And Rodgers was only good enough one year?
Oppy
September 04, 2023 at 04:49 pm
It's only about the QB until the QB of your team doesn't win the Superbowl- then it's about all the other players' failure to make sure your QB won the super bowl, because "he can't do it by himself."
LOL. The modern sports fan is truly dim.
WestCoastPackerBacker
September 05, 2023 at 11:44 am
I just say
Look at the Colts since Manning left and Luck retired
Look at the Giants since the other Manning retired
Look at the Pats since Brady left
Look at the Saints since Brees retired
Look at the Steelers since Big Ben retired
All these teams have struggled to even make the playoffs once their Super Bowl winning/top tier QBs retired or moved on.
It doesn't mean that Stafford, Brees, Rodgers were only good enough for one year. It means the teams that lost that level of talent at the most important position have struggled mightily to replace that guy.
Packers0808
September 04, 2023 at 01:44 pm
Well I been a Packer fan since 1958 and more than happy we have a "new era". Rodgers got old and stale and tiring with the same old me me in every game. This team is about to surprise a lot lot of people. They have a lot of very good strengths over weaknesses that will carry them well throughout this upcoming season. If they flop I will be the first to admit me wrong!
cdoemel
September 04, 2023 at 06:09 pm
What grumpy old fart gave this a thumbs down? Hahahaha.
Guam
September 04, 2023 at 02:04 pm
I think that is a very smart take LH. I might quibble a little bit with "same HC" simply because I am not sure LaFleur has ever had the chance to truly run his offense. Rodgers put his stamp on the offense during the entirety of LaFleur's career with Green Bay and the offense looked much like the old Mike McCarthy offense and not much like a Shanahan tree offense.
I suspect we will see a different offense from the "same HC" this year. But definitely more of a rebuild over the last couple of years than a new era.
Coldworld
September 04, 2023 at 05:44 pm
Very interested to see what LaFleur’s offensive design will be this year. All the parts are seemingly there for him to unleash a creative offense very different from last year. Will he and what form will it take? I expect some nerves and execution errors from so many rookies, but the biggest question to me is how we try to use them.
Chicago will also be a great test of Barry versus the run. It’s no secret that Chicago will need to run and conventionally as well as through Fields. How stout is this D? I see great potential to disrupt the pass, but what’s his tactic to contain Fields and close down the center game long? Can we consistently get off the field?
LLCHESTY
September 04, 2023 at 02:30 pm
34 players weren't on the roster when they lost to the 49ers January 22nd, 2022. Seems like a new era to me.
Leatherhead
September 04, 2023 at 03:51 pm
So the new era started 20 months ago?
A typical example of you manipulating data.
WestCoastPackerBacker
September 05, 2023 at 11:49 am
The new era starts on the field against CHI. Looking at the turnover from the last game played last season to the first game this season is a fair comparison.
Coldworld
September 04, 2023 at 05:51 pm
If it’s not a new era then LaFleur and Barry should be gone not Rodgers. If this O and D look like last year, we don’t need all that speed and we don’t need the coaches. I just can’t see that being the plan.
On offense, radically different personnel demands a different approach. On D, while we have a number if key holdovers, we all know that last year repeated won’t cut it: it has to get better and part of that is not simply repeating. This should be a radically different team on the field or it will prove to be the end of a coaching delusion.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 05, 2023 at 08:42 am
LL, that means 19 players remain.
It's a mix; hopefully it works.
cdoemel
September 04, 2023 at 06:07 pm
Obviously the QB is not literally “the team”, but in answer to Rex when he said, “They could also run into landmine after landmine, unable to maneuver the treacherous waters of life without a tier-one NFL quarterback”. How many tier one QB’s are there? So every other team without one is in the same boat!?! Not GB. Not with the talent and energy this team shows. That makes a difference too!
splitpea1
September 04, 2023 at 12:46 pm
Though the oddsmakers aren't sure what to make of the Packers just yet, I'm a little surprised they're underdogs in the first game. The Bears didn't win a divisional game last season and they've never beaten MLF in eight tries. Even Brett Hundley was able to beat the Bears in 2017. So while the home fans may be getting their hopes up with a change of the guard in this rivalry, it's our job--no, our duty, to send them back to their usual spiral of despair.
Bitternotsour
September 04, 2023 at 06:27 pm
odds are made for bettors to balance the action. has nothing to do with win likelihood.
WestCoastPackerBacker
September 05, 2023 at 12:07 pm
The Bears added a lot this offseason, and the Packers subtracted a main ingredient in all those wins. Bears added DJ Moore/WR and D'onta Foreman/RB, DeMarcus Walker/DE. They added a 2nd round CB they project to start. The picked a tackle in the top 10 picks of the draft, added guard Nate Davis with a hug contract, and signed LB Tremaine Edmunds to a huge contract. So GB added some rookie talent all over the place, lost their franchise QB, have the youngest roster in the league and their first rounder is a developmental guy not expected to start this year.
I think looking back at what happened in the past isn't what is driving this. It's looking forward to who they think got better as a team. All this depends on how Fields and Love play and nobody knows the answer to that.
But as for additions, CHI added some known talent and GB lost some. The rest is a question mark.
stockholder
September 04, 2023 at 02:16 pm
We're Not at a new Era.
We're at the crossroads.
This franchise never had to spend money.
And Nobody fears coming to GB anymore.
Next you have a new group of players.
That depend on a new guy at QB.
And a Defense that was never properly
built since 2010.
The roster has been a revolving door.
And A Cap Hell that had No fiscal Responsibility.
But all we think about is upside.
The biggest mistake after Lombardi, was upside.
Blind Faith in leadership, will make us fall like rain.
LLCHESTY
September 04, 2023 at 02:40 pm
"This franchise never had to spend money."
What the hell are you even talking about? They've been doing juggling tricks with the cap for the last four years.
stockholder
September 04, 2023 at 03:28 pm
They didn't - They succeeded with the draft.
It was the first step. Even Trading for #4.
To be good again!
Minniman
September 04, 2023 at 04:00 pm
Check the records - since 2013, every contract he signed made him either highest or top 2 highest paid QB at that time.
That has to get managed through the distribution of cap somehow.
Lastly, regarding kicking the financial can down the road - go back and look at the transactions for every top 8 team since 2019. COVID caused cap stall for 3 years. That had to be consumed........ and very few players were agreeing to restructure for less money to correct those balance sheet issues ( that's why to this day I still respect Preston Smith).
stockholder
September 04, 2023 at 05:34 pm
I went back to Z.Smith,P.Smith, And Amos.
And then Turner. .
- They named it the best FA class by one team-
Then he dumps Daniels, over-pays Lowrey
And can't find a ILB. - How many toys there?
As CM3 got pushed out with Nelson.
And Now the New era?
Because Rodgers let the Franchise down?
It's been a Good sell job.
Coldworld
September 04, 2023 at 05:53 pm
This is just factually bereft.
stockholder
September 04, 2023 at 06:00 pm
Should have added ,Martinez, Bulaga, Adams.
Etc. Yet it was called an All-in
and the can went down the road.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
September 04, 2023 at 06:06 pm
And what teams keep old expensive players forever? The answer is none of them. How many of the Rams super bowl winning team from 2 years ago are even still on the roster? You live in a fantasy world where you pretend Packers are doing egregious things that no other team does when in reality every team does the same damn thing. You just keep coming up with new fake ways to justify hating the team just because they dumped Rodgers. Go buy your Jets jersey and get the F over it already.
stockholder
September 04, 2023 at 06:19 pm
The Jets. Marino -Dolphins.
George Blanda Raiders.
You must be a viking at heart.
LLCHESTY
September 04, 2023 at 08:57 pm
These are the type of comments from you that make me think of Benjy from The Sound and the Fury. Except he might have made more sense.
jannesbjornson
September 04, 2023 at 10:29 pm
What's wrong with retreads at RT when you're trying to advance to a SB? OT has been a priority for the past five years.
jannesbjornson
September 04, 2023 at 10:48 pm
Martinez ? He trades Pokemon cards.
LLCHESTY
September 04, 2023 at 09:14 pm
"This franchise never had to spend money."
"And A Cap Hell that had No fiscal Responsibility."
Even you should be able to see the incongruity of these statements.
WestCoastPackerBacker
September 05, 2023 at 12:10 pm
The thing is, succeeding with the draft? You still have to pay for talent. They paid Favre what he was worth when he got those MVPs. They paid Clay Matthews top dollar. They paid Jordy top dollar. They paid Sitton top dollar. They paid Bakhtiari top dollar. Jaire, Kenny Clark, etc. They didn't pay external free agents big money. They paid their own guys big money with Rodgers being the biggest. That's why the salary cap is what it is.
And I beg to differ about the defense not being good since 2010. The 2014 defense was very good. That playoff debacle was on everybody, but the defense played well that season.
cdoemel
September 04, 2023 at 06:17 pm
They did succeed in the draft. But they FAILED HUGE with Rodgers last contract. Never should have happened. But they fixed it! So now we’re moving forward. LaFleur gets to coach. Gutekunst gets to be GM. Love gets to run this totally freaking loaded young team. I’m honestly beyond excited!!!!
stockholder
September 04, 2023 at 06:24 pm
To succeed in the draft-
Please give me your explanation.
Bottom Fill?
All-Pros?
Trades?
I've always said gutey does his best work bringing in FAs.
But I must give the credit to Barry and Rodgers.
LLCHESTY
September 04, 2023 at 08:58 pm
Credit to Barry. That's rich.
WestCoastPackerBacker
September 05, 2023 at 04:01 pm
There is ONE, count it, ONE ALL-PRO at each position each season. So that is not the measure of success. You're looking for impact players, and so far Gutey has drafted some:
Rashan Gary
Jaire Alexander
Elgton Jenkins
He's drafted a bunch of duds as well, but then you gotta know GB drafted pretty low each round in most of the drafts Gutey has been involved in.
We'll see now if Jordan Love is an impact player or a decent starter or worse. Time will tell with Eric Stokes once healthy. Will Savage bounce back? Runyan and Myers are okay starters. Will they up their games in their 3rd year? Will Watson and Doubs continue to look like great draft picks? Zach Tom looks like a good pick. Will Wyatt and Walker elevate their game.
If none of those folks elevate their game, then I probably agree with you. Gutey has had a lot of duds as well.
mnbadger
September 04, 2023 at 08:38 pm
thank you cdoemel for bringing this conversation back to football and optimism.
Pack 27 - cubs 23
GPG!
Packerpasty
September 04, 2023 at 04:31 pm
true about coming to GB Lambeau...that has to change...
WD
September 04, 2023 at 02:29 pm
Optimism is high for the fans who have had 3 decades of back to back hall of fame QBs. Perhaps too high? let's face it. Sometime soon Love is going to have some trying times. Bret Favre threw a lot of interceptions and it is not as though Rodgers never fumbled or threw an incomplete pass. The most important thing will be the direction of progress not where they stand at present . After three decades of QB greatness fans will be tested and must be patient in the early going. Remember if they can win more than half their games it will be an improvement over last year. I am optimistic but not naive.
cdoemel
September 04, 2023 at 06:24 pm
Rodgers went 6-10 his first season at the helm. Anyone here think Love won’t win 7 games this year?
LLCHESTY
September 04, 2023 at 09:00 pm
Pretty sure the 2008 defense didn't have eight 1st round picks on it. At the time I saw everything I needed to see in a QB to tell me the future was bright.
jannesbjornson
September 04, 2023 at 10:44 pm
A 10-6 squad if the defense could have held a Lead.
HawkPacker
September 04, 2023 at 06:33 pm
WD, this year, to me that is, is not the win loss record but seeing improvement throughout the year, especially at QB. The FO needs to see where we need to improve so we can draft accordingly and possibly sign a FA or two in the next few years.
We will have a lot of ups and downs and I really don't care, at this point anyway, how many games we win or lose. We just need to grow. We have some great players and they are mostly young and inexperienced. This should be a fun year to watch them develop.
I really hope Love is the answer.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 05, 2023 at 10:06 am
Love always wins.
MainePackFan
September 04, 2023 at 05:14 pm
Like everyone else in here, I am a lifelong Packers fan. We have seen the best of times and the worst of times. I will approach this season without expectations, but with the same hope and excitement I approach every season.
Will Jordan Love run the MLF offense without trying to prove he can do everything AR could do. Is MLF's offensive scheme a breath of fresh air, or a regurgitated pot luck substitute from the Shannahan/McVay coaching tree.
The defense has to set the tone for this team. A dominate D will allow the offense time to gel. If the D sucks, I fear this team will hit the skids in a hurry. Regardless of how it plays out, I can't wait to get this show on the road. GPG!!!!
relleum61
September 04, 2023 at 05:37 pm
Well said about the defense. I was hoping for a Vic Fangio hire. The defense has to set the tone early on. There are no offenses that should over power the defense through the first 5 games.
The only comparison for the Farve to Rodgers to Love handoff would be Montana to Young to Garcia. Garcia was a very decent QB. Can Love be that good...or better? Could be if MLF can be an equal of Shannahan/McVay.
Coldworld
September 04, 2023 at 06:00 pm
If the Bears can run at will on Barry, then I think it will be hard to argue that he’s competent. If the D contains them effectively then we can say that he has taken a step forward, since he couldn’t find a way to thwart strong rush attacks last year last year and get us off the field. Chicago is going to need to rely on the run or expectation of it to do much in the passing game. If we can’t stop a relatively one dimensional O running then LaFleyr will have some big questions right out of the gate.
MainePackFan
September 04, 2023 at 06:49 pm
Very good point Coldworld.
LLCHESTY
September 04, 2023 at 09:44 pm
It obviously wasn't their worst performance vs the run last year(Eagles 🤬) but there was a play in the 1st Bears game that made me realize they weren't physical enough to be a top 10 defense. It was a long run by Herbert or Montgomery where Reed and Lowry got pushed around up front followed by complete whiffs by Stokes and Savage. I saw an all 22 look a day or two later that clearly showed they didn't want to meet the RB head on.
I thought they believed their own hype in the 1st game and would straighten things out against the Bears but after that play I knew something drastic would have to change for them to be a top 10 defense. Then I remembered a tweet Fennel had after that game where he said through two games they hadn't blitzed once. Which reminded me of this one a month ago:
https://twitter.com/BenFennell_NFL/status/1687216677434339328?t=4S6MilQg...
Oppy
September 04, 2023 at 10:15 pm
What if Chicago runs all over Barry's defense, but their offense only manages to put up 17 points?
SicSemperTyrannis
September 05, 2023 at 10:09 am
Relleum61,
I too much thought hiring Vic Fangio was an obvious move.it will hurt seeing him on the Viking's sideline.
13TimeChamps
September 05, 2023 at 10:58 am
Fangio is the DC of Miami. Brian flores is the Vikings DC.
LLCHESTY
September 04, 2023 at 09:11 pm
For the record the 2008 defense finished 20th in overall defense and 22nd in points. They finished 12th in passing defense,so LH would tell you they weren't that bad, but 26th vs the rush.
The offense finished 5th in points and 8th in passing and overall. If the defense drags the team down like they did in 2008 wholesale changes will be made(a year too late). There's too much talent on that side of the ball for that to be acceptable.
HarryHodag
September 04, 2023 at 05:46 pm
In what has been an almost interminable off season the real deal is upon us.
I look at this season with a sense of reality: I'm hoping for great things but I'm prepared to see a young team make mistakes before beginning to gel later on. I hope the 'fans' give the young players a break, especially Jordan Love. I'm rooting for him in a deep way as he has done everything right this turbulent offseason to prepare for this season. All he did was get drafted(not his choice), be the good back up, and do whatever he could to get ready to start. It is nearly impossible to fill the shoes of a legend. Maybe he doesn't have to, just be good enough to give the Packers a 'punchers chance'.
But one thing to remember: after the final rosters were set and numbers were added the Packers are the youngest team in the NFL. That usually means growing pains.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
September 04, 2023 at 06:02 pm
The reign of terror begins in 7 days.....
SoCalJim
September 04, 2023 at 06:59 pm
Yep…Bears fans’ agony continues into the J Love era!
greengold
September 05, 2023 at 06:41 am
“Eras” are not limited to the QB position. They are also not limited to what the G on the sides of our helmets is known to signify, “Greatness.”
Lombardi had an era, but so did Mike Sherman. We’re seeing the Mark Murphy era unfold. Bob Harlan had an era. So did Tom Braatz.
Eras are mere markers in time. People in positions of power help to define eras. Reggie White had an era. So did Charles Woodson. So did Mossy Cade. Barry Sanders had an era. Eric Dickerson had one too.
John Hadl had a different kind of era in Green Bay, just like Aaron Rodgers might have a very different kind of era in New York.
Like it or not, Jordan Love is a part of a new era in Green Bay. We can only hope it’s defined by greatness. That would certainly help the LaFleur era. LaFleur, in turn, can help his own case by insuring the Jordan Love era is, indeed, one of greatness.
We’re about to find out what kind of era this will be. I’m excited to see what happens. Much can change here, for better or for worse.
My thinking is that this is going to be good, really good. Always wanting for the return to greatness, the hallmark of the Green Bay Packers.
Bear week.
LFG GPG CTFB AGNFB