Relax, the Packers roster is still in a great spot
Despite the recent losses of Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, the Packers still have one of the NFL's top rosters.
By markoldacres
The trade of Davante Adams and the subsequent departure of Marquez Valdes-Scantling seems to have tipped Packers Twitter into a state of hysteria, as fans of the green and gold fret over how their team will cope with the losses they’ve suffered.
But in truth, the Adams trade is the only truly surprising development from Green Bay’s offseason so far.
On paper, the Packers are currently worse than they were last season, but that was inevitable and should be a shock to no-one.
After the 2020 season, Brian Gutekunst managed to bring almost everyone back for what appeared to be a Last Dance scenario, pushing his chips into the middle of the table and pushing money out into the future.
Achieving the same feat again this time around figured to be even more of a challenge, and just as the Packers had to say goodbye to Corey Linsley after the 2020 campaign, they were once again bound to lose at least one player who had previously contributed meaningful snaps.
Looking at the roster today, wide receiver is the only true hole to be found. It is extremely difficult for any NFL team to not have a single weak spot, and wide receiver is not one of the more damaging positions to be short in.
At least by losing Adams, the Packers got two premium draft picks in return. Had other key players like Campbell or Preston Smith left instead, Green Bay would have received at best a compensatory pick in the 2023 draft.
An argument could be made that with the Packers in a situation where they could have lost multiple important pieces, parting with Adams in exchange for legitimate draft capital is not a terrible end result.
As the dust settles, Green Bay’s roster as a whole is still in a very healthy place.
According to Unit Grades posted by ESPN’s Mike Clay, the Packers still have the second-best overall roster in the league (and first in the NFC) despite the players they’ve lost. They also have four picks in the first two rounds of next month’s draft to add to the talent already available.
Gutekunst managed to bring back every key defensive cog from a year ago, including inking De’Vondre Campbell and Rasul Douglas to new contracts.
With Jaire Alexander healthy and the defense entering its second year under Joe Barry, the unit could be even better in 2022.
The offensive side of the ball has certainly taken some hits. The aforementioned Adams and MVS aside, Billy Turner was also sacrificed as Green Bay worked to get under the salary cap.
However, there are still some options for the Packers to re-stock the receiver room in free agency and plenty more in the draft.
No meaningful football games will be played for over five months. Rest assured, Green Bay will have other receivers on the roster by then.
David Bakhtiari should also return at left tackle, mitigating the loss of Turner and providing some much-needed solidity to the offensive line.
Of course, the Packers will not have as strong of a wide receiver corps in 2022, because Adams is the best in the game and MVS will also be difficult to immediately replace.
However, no one should expect the offense to simply fold up and fall on its face as a result.
The perceived benefit of having an offensive mind like Matt LaFleur as a Head Coach, and the reigning back-to-back MVP at quarterback is they can be asked to elevate the talent around them.
LaFleur has always stated the importance of the running game in his offense, but it has been marginalised at times in favour of letting Aaron Rodgers and Adams go to work. Perhaps now, Green Bay’s attack will lean more on the tandem of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon to carry the load.
Anyone who believes the Packers are in any kind of rebuild because two receivers have left would be wise to take a gander at the Falcons roster to see what a real rebuild looks like.
The Packers have plenty of time to bolster the roster before the games start, and they are still in prime position to compete for a Super Bowl in 2022.
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (105)
Coldworld
March 27, 2022 at 12:23 pm
Yes, all is dandy, or will be if that message is repeated enough. We have an elite QB, who needs cap for experienced receivers.
murf7777
March 27, 2022 at 01:01 pm
To my knowledge, we have around 15M in Cap space and we can create more if needed by extensions to Alexander. So, Relax there is more than enough to sign a FA experienced WR if that is what the Packers choose to do.
Have a little patience and see how everything folds out when the season starts. You know, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will this roster. There is the second tier of rosters, possible trade, draft and roster cuts. If this isn't fixed than complain.
MainePackFan
March 27, 2022 at 01:11 pm
Excellent response murf. CW tends to take the negative approach as long as ARod is a Packer. He may be right, but personally, I will hold off on my opinion until I have the necessary information in which to opine upon.
Coldworld
March 27, 2022 at 02:44 pm
Reasonable position. There is common ground that there is a problem. I can accept that there is yet time for that to be rectified. Then it comes down to the probability that they can find a solution that justified the off season investment.
It’s the mantra that this is a routine position to be in at this point of the season that i find incendiary. It isn’t, and the draft isn’t a magic panacea.
One point, we actually have about zero available cap at this point, absent further cuts or restructuring. That 15 million is needed to sign draft picks and to handle normal operating (injury settlements/replacement etc.). Usually teams budget 20 M for that, so we are cutting it fine. TGR can correct me if I’m being over pessimistic.
MainePackFan
March 27, 2022 at 02:48 pm
As always CW, you make good points. Any disagreement you and I may have is based solely on the decision the Packers made to keep Rodgers. I was for it, and you were against it. I think it's fair to say that neither of us know what the outcome will be, but I'm pretty sure that as Packers fans, we are both hoping I am right :)
Coldworld
March 27, 2022 at 05:05 pm
Actually, my reasons for moving in from Rodgers were complex, but essentially that a) I don’t see him and LaFleur actually combining well in practice snd I think both may be Byers apart and (b) that signing Rodgers would essentially result in what we have now in some form at great future cost.
Now that we don’t have Adams the rationale for bringing Rodgers back seems even more tenuous. By accident or design, we have a team shaped for a lesser QB paying for an elite one and with no cap to spend and a vacant room, hoping to beat the odds on rookie draft picks or reclamation project SFAs. That’s a path against steep odds.
murf7777
March 27, 2022 at 04:42 pm
Where oh where are you coming up with a 20M budget? I sure would love to see your breakdown of that budget. In addition, as stated there are 5-10M more they can get from an Alexander extension. Even if the 20M is correct there are additional ways to achieve the desired results to add to the WR room.
Leatherhead
March 27, 2022 at 03:35 pm
Murf, Spotrac has a bunch of that stuff. I checked about an hour ago and it projected we'd need about $13 million for our draft class. We don't have much maneuvering room, but you are right, we could create some.
pantz_bURp
March 27, 2022 at 06:16 pm
Leatherhead, I would be lion if I said don't like your new image... ,(but, that lion snarl was also sweet)
Leatherhead
March 28, 2022 at 08:27 am
Thanks. I changed it because Princess Nitwit was reading my mind and decided I had the lion avatar because I wanted to seem scary. So I figured I'd put a pretty girl up....no reason to be scared of that.
greengold
March 28, 2022 at 08:35 am
Just… … perfect. Your entire response here. Thanks for the laugh I didn’t know I needed, Leatherhead.
Guam
March 28, 2022 at 08:49 am
Think I prefer the lion LH, but I did have a good laugh.
murf7777
March 28, 2022 at 12:52 pm
Read Rob Demovsky's recent tweet stating it would take around 8M....I don't know who is correct.
Coldworld
March 27, 2022 at 05:13 pm
Do you ever read TGR or other sources? Even if you don’t read my posts, It’s been pointed out many times, in detail and at length and was this time last year too.
murf7777
March 28, 2022 at 06:59 am
Yes I have and I still don’t understand how we will use up 20M in SC without adding FA’s….
murf7777
March 28, 2022 at 12:50 pm
CW, Rob Demovsky from ESPN just tweeted it would take about 1/2 of the current 15-16M to sign their 11 draft picks as they stand now. I realize Sportrack stats 13.1, but something isn't right and I quite frankly don't know who. I think they have the resources to land a FA WR or trade yet.
Thegreatreynoldo
March 28, 2022 at 06:04 am
Deleted
Leatherhead
March 27, 2022 at 03:32 pm
You're right about the cap space. We'll need about $15 million to sign our draft picks.
I'm kind of smiling here.......the "common ground that there is a problem". What if you're one of those kind of people that likes solving problems? I mean, I would hate to sit on my ass all day and just watch the grass grow.....I like solving problems.
Of course the Packers have some problems to solve before the season starts....over 5 months from now. But problems are just opportunities for victory. I feel good when I know I've solved a problem. In fact, I kind of like hard problems some times. As a teacher, I was always willing to take the most difficult kids.
We're in a good spot. I suspect we'll be in a better spot after the draft, and after training camp, and after exhibition. We'll still have problems, just like everybody else, and we'll see if we can solve and overcome this year.
murf7777
March 27, 2022 at 04:13 pm
LH…..I do see it at 13.3M which is more than I thought. They will need to extend Alexander to sign another FA, although there is more ways as well such as a trade and reconstruct that contract. The reality we are far from a final roster or WR group.
Oppy
March 27, 2022 at 08:47 pm
I think it’s fantastic we can create more cap space today by extending Jaire and pushing the cap burden into the future, let’s say by 2-4 years, like the packers have already been doing with other contracts.
The one thing I’m really proud of this front office for doing is putting all the eggs into this horribly forced Rodgers basket while at the same time setting the franchise’s ability to rebuild the team back another 3-5 years when Rodgers retires or is traded after 2024. That’s really the icing on the cake for me.
But hey, when did leasing your belongings on credit instead of paying for what you can afford with cash ever get anyone into financial troubles?
McFly
March 29, 2022 at 10:55 am
Why are you in such a hurry to rebuild?! Also, leasing is the new business of the NFL with regards the cap, can't operate like its the Lombardi era forever...
The cap will go up in future years, GB will structure/restructure contracts as necessary and they will rebuild when they don't have an MVP quarterback under center, let's say in 2-4 years.
Oppy
March 30, 2022 at 05:23 pm
McFly, I guess you're just missing the point intentionally?
In 2-4 years when they "rebuild", they will have a bunch of money on the books for players that no longer play for them, or players the Packers no longer want to play for them (the guys they restructured the last 2 years to keep the team together). That makes rebuilding pretty difficult. It will make keeping the guys they draft today who play well more difficult to retain for a second contract in 2-4 years.
Lastly, and this is the part you obviously have completely missed- this roster is already 50-75% rebuilt. The biggest issue is this team has already been rebuilt and that build was constructed for the QB of the future. The Packers have slammed the brake and whipped a 180, now signing Rodgers at an abusively prohibitive salary structure, artificially extending players by pushing cap hits out past Rodgers' expiration date in order to keep #12 on the team.
The Packers have sold the financially healthy future that was planned for, and instead invested in future cap bloat in an attempt to win now with yesterday's names.
"The Cap will go up in future years". Yeah, it always does, roughly 8-12% per year. Teams that are financially sound with front loaded contracts get to enjoy new found money. Teams that are trying to pay for talent they can't really afford by pushing the cap hits into the future? They've already spent that new cap money.
A lot of football fans think the cap isn't real. Well, it is. There's a reason the Packers have been so consistent over the last 3 decades, and a great deal of that is sound cap management.
PeteK
March 27, 2022 at 05:44 pm
We actually need about 11 mill for that.
greengold
March 28, 2022 at 07:14 am
I was firmly against keeping Rodgers. I still might be. My biggest concerns involve both AR and GB’s FO.
This is a battle I do not wish to fight in explaining further, but I believe both sides have been in error. There are so many factors involved and pertinent to cause from both, as have been discussed ad nauseum. A gigantic convoluted mess & mesh of factors involving multiple parties that have negatively impacted the situation we have today. The dirty laundry of complicity is for some reason & many reasons, out there on the line for all to see.
I’ve recently considered that there may exist a common ground where both sides are looking to make this right to bring Aaron Rodgers’ career in Green Bay to a close.
4 Time MVP. I wish instead that he were a 4 Time Super Bowl Champion.
BirdDogUni
March 27, 2022 at 05:33 pm
Apparently not the Packers... ; P
Gutey will draft 2 - 4 WR and call it good.
Never fear... ; )
Coldworld
March 27, 2022 at 06:13 pm
A brave man to predict Gute’s drafts with certainty. I’d be happy if we did.
greengold
March 28, 2022 at 07:00 am
The raw, truthful irony here is worthy of style points.
KenEllis
March 27, 2022 at 12:46 pm
Exactly.
R E L A X.
The Packers have been RELAXIN' about their roster since Rodgers' uttered those famous words a decade ago.
And how many NFC North crowns have they won over the last 11 years? 8 I believe out of 11.
Don't sweat it if you think Degaura ain't a legit TE, Tonyan may not be all that returning from an ACL, Lewis offers zero as a pass catcher, Cobb was over-the-hill 2 seasons ago, Amari Rodgers looked like the latest 3rd round bust, and Lazard is a better blocker than receiver, just relax and remember we play in the lousy NFC North so another title is highly likely in 2022.
What more could Packer fans possibly want?
MainePackFan
March 27, 2022 at 01:20 pm
I don't know, perhaps they might want some of their fans to RELAX until they see what the team is putting on the field as a finished product. If you are correct in your assessment, I suspect these players that fall short in your eyes, will also fall short in the eyes of the FO. Time will tell.
ImaPayne
March 27, 2022 at 02:37 pm
Lions will be much improved and are a team one QB away from being a hard team to beat easily. Vikes are gunning and ready. The new GM and coach get it, rush rodgers and have a good secondary and the Packers have nothing.
The Bears are the weak link now so this will be a crap shoot this year.
Coldworld
March 27, 2022 at 06:15 pm
Pettine and his soft coverage would have really suited Adams and MVS.
greengold
March 28, 2022 at 08:54 am
“What more could Packer fans want?”
1. For those using the term “R E L A X” to shove that where the sun don’t shine.
Packer_Fan
March 27, 2022 at 12:54 pm
The roster is in good shape. There are still some veteran WR's out there, possibilites for trades and a host of high draft choices. There will be differences in the WR, but Gute has time to work that out. Look for trades before the draft.
And the rest of the roster is in very good shape.
Leatherhead
March 27, 2022 at 01:25 pm
I agree with your bottom line assessment, that our roster is pretty good for this point in the process.
A year ago, we didn’t have Stokes, Douglas, Campbell, or Reed. We didn’t have Bakhtiari, or Myers, or Newman. We had question marks. So I’m not really understanding why we’re worse on paper than last year’s version.
We need to replace Adams. He’s one guy. We need to fortify the Oline because every season ends with our backups on the field. But overall, I think we’re in better shape than last year at this point.
murf7777
March 27, 2022 at 03:40 pm
Well said LH.
BirdDogUni
March 27, 2022 at 06:46 pm
Yeah, Idk what all the angst is about. We draft 2, maybe 3 guys at WR and hope for the best. Maybe trade for a veteran if we think we need to come September.
I think young WRs might invigorate AR. Part of me thinks Gutey will draft a WR in the 1st round for several reasons.
FIrst, because AR has never had a 1st round WR.
Secondly, because we need an infusion of talent at the position.
Third - To show AR how much Gutey still loves AR. Lol
On the other hand, we haven't drafted a WR in the first round in almost two decades, so Gutey might figure why start? He may draft a couple 2nd rounders and AR will have to raise them from pups, so to speak.
Everyone seems to be freaking out about losing DA's production, but it's not like we'll be playing offense with 9 guys. We'll field 11 guys on offense and AR will have to find the open receiver. Might actually produce a more well-rounded offense in the end.
stockholder
March 27, 2022 at 08:42 pm
We draft two or three guys at WR and hope for the best. == Hope doesn't work for me.== I believe the Lions Will trade up to get ahead of the #28 pick. ( This screws up the packers WR thoughts there. ) So pick #22 has to be a WR. Unlikely as it may sound. Shouldn't MVS be replaced first? Because MVS was faster than Adams. ( Also the height, that is Needed outside.) The guy @22 must stretch the field. The guy @ 28 then could be McBride. I say McBride TE because so many here wanted Hockenson. McBride might be the better weapon @28.
Leatherhead
March 28, 2022 at 11:54 am
Hope works fine for me.
When I became a Dad, I hoped my kids would have a good life. I hope that I don't get seriously ill or injured. I hope that my investments increase in value.
Hope works for me all the time. Why do you suppose that is?
Let's say we draft Watson at #52, and somebody like Bell at #59. Two WRs in the second round. Add that to Lazard, Amari, and Cobb and there's our gameday unit. I hope that's exactly what we do.
croatpackfan
March 28, 2022 at 03:47 am
"We'll field 11 guys on offense and AR will have to find the open receiver."
Now, very important question here is - Will he see open receiver? Because his habit lately that he is not screening the field but to go to the 1st option, does not question if the first option is open or not...
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
March 27, 2022 at 11:38 pm
Exactly why i predicted they will draft 3 olineman in the first 4 rounds.
Leatherhead
March 28, 2022 at 11:59 am
Bold, certainly on target, but unlikely.
We carry 9 or 10 offensive linemen on the 53 and another one or two on the practice squad. I think we're already solid down through our first 7 or so. We absolutely need to strengthen the unit....I'm thinking we might even use #22 to fix the line. We could trade down and get two picks we could use on offensive linemen. I'd feel a lot better about the offensive line if we added two good players to it.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
March 28, 2022 at 10:26 pm
They're stronger on defense while weaker on offense. Tit for tat i guess.
TarynsEyes
March 27, 2022 at 01:22 pm
Yes, I believe this roster is good enough to be ushers at the SB showing the participating teams to their locker rooms.
MainePackFan
March 27, 2022 at 01:35 pm
Let's be honest Taryns, if you were to grade them on their potential ability to be ushers at the SB, you would give them a negative review for that endeavor as well :)
TarynsEyes
March 27, 2022 at 01:50 pm
The past performances of the team leave me no option but to think they could show teams to the wrong lock rooms, and deserving of a failing grade.
MainePackFan
March 27, 2022 at 02:02 pm
I rest my case ;)
KenEllis
March 27, 2022 at 01:50 pm
But let's be honest, to be TRUE Packer fan the most significant issue is not whether the Pack will be watching the 12th straight SB from the sidelines, but whether, as a fan, you were RELAXED throughout the season.
When you think about Tom Brady and all his success, and the Patriots and their success, nothing was more important to that success than their RELAXED attitude toward it all.
Indeed, Tampa Bay and the LA Rams (the last 2 teams to win SBs) were nothing if not RELAXED about their roster construction.
Truly going all in is for less successful franchises than the Pack. RELAX, RELAX, RELAX.
MainePackFan
March 27, 2022 at 02:28 pm
I'm pretty sure they were RELAXED in March. But hey, if folks feel better stressing out about how bad this team will be because "RELAX" is still our QB, so be it. I'm not saying you are wrong, just saying it's a bit early to make that determination for me.
TarynsEyes
March 27, 2022 at 04:25 pm
So you are implying that I must be stressed because of my opinion of the roster. I assure you, you and others that take my levity to levels of obvious disdain are the stressed-out fans.
Coldworld
March 27, 2022 at 05:17 pm
If Rodgers was supposedly a miracle cure, I wouldn’t buy any more Dr. Rodgers Universal Super Bowl Elixir after the premature deaths in recent seasons. It seems not to work very well.
MainePackFan
March 27, 2022 at 05:56 pm
I implied no such thing about you or your "levity" unless your name is folks :) I save my disdain for things that I find disdainful. Your levity would certainly not be one of those things.
Furthermore, I feel zero stress when it comes to a game I can't play in, or have any say in. When it comes FO decisions, they do what they do whether I agree or not, and I assume you hold the same stress free point of view.
Packers0808
March 27, 2022 at 04:41 pm
And you be the waterboy for local pee wee baseball team.
LambeauPlain
March 27, 2022 at 01:38 pm
Thanks, Mark.
The Pack has a fine roster now and will get better after the draft.
It will improve some more with Team Gutey looking to sign their top UDFAs.
And it will improve again as the team signs affordable, quality depth with FAs.
The roster will improve one more time at cutdown day as older vets on more expensive contracts get released after a young player with a less expensive contract earns a roster spot with a solid camp.
The Packers roster will be undergoing continuous improvement until the start of the regular season. And given Gutey's ability to find diamonds in the rough on practice squads, the roster will improve during the season too.
beerandbrats
March 27, 2022 at 02:24 pm
Wide receiver is definitely a concern but the defense is looking pretty good heading into this year and will hopefully get even better through the draft!
Leatherhead
March 27, 2022 at 02:27 pm
In all seriousness, brethren, we could wait and we’ll have a better idea of what our team looks like. May1, after the draft, compare where we were last year to now.
ImaPayne
March 27, 2022 at 02:34 pm
Packers better get a top notch corner in the draft because this is Alexanders last season. His agent is already saying Jaire wants the big bucks as the best corner and for me he aint. He has made some plays but he is not a shut down corner and seems to have injury issues of late so we already know he is gone after this season.
Maybe his agent will have him fein injury to sit out most of the season to be in shape for next years free agency. Just like Zadarious did when they learned they werent getting any where near the money they want.
marpag1
March 27, 2022 at 03:20 pm
LOL. You win the dumb comment of the month award. Is that what you were going for?
Leatherhead
March 27, 2022 at 03:38 pm
Good, then we'll franchise tag him and trade him for a bucketload.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
March 28, 2022 at 10:08 am
Agreed LH!
HDbikerguy
March 27, 2022 at 05:47 pm
Zero percent chance that Alexander isn't signed to a long term deal with the Packers before the season starts...
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
March 27, 2022 at 11:39 pm
Jaire isnt going anywhere. Stop with this foolishness.
stockholder
March 27, 2022 at 02:40 pm
It doesn't matter how they look on paper. The offense is still the key. And with a lot of people on this site, turning against Rodgers. They're showing him ,"No Thanks" in his many years here. So its Rodgers Fault; that Adams left. It's Rodger's fault; MVS left. Its Rodgers Fault Love isn't starting. They just can't see. Dreams are only "True", while they Last. Rodgers is a Dream QB. His age only asks," How old are you"? The only reason we can Relax, is because Rodgers is on it. The NFL MVP IS HERE. Playing with Fire can only start a Fire sale. And Love is the gasoline to that Hell. I only have one question about this roster. That question is LOVE. Can he back up Rodgers. Because he sure hasn't proved it yet. And he needed Adams, St. Brown, and MVS just as much as Rodgers.
Coldworld
March 27, 2022 at 02:48 pm
If your one question is Love then you are probably missing the point.
stockholder
March 27, 2022 at 02:58 pm
Rodgers was the point
Coldworld
March 27, 2022 at 05:31 pm
Well, actually, 10 of them.
stockholder
March 27, 2022 at 09:05 pm
More like 12
HarryHodag
March 27, 2022 at 05:06 pm
Actually, the defense is the key. Fans fall in love with all the fireworks(or lack thereof) on offense.
There is an easy question to answer: what is more important, offense or defense?
Answer: defense. Why? If your defense can hold an opponent to a under 14 points statistically your chances of winning are much higher even with a mediocre offense. Keeping a NFL offense to that few points each week is tough, but trying to outscore the opponent with many touchdowns(after giving up as many) is even tougher.
The Packers still have a very good offensive line(they will fix right tackle), two excellent running backs. Tonyan will return and I deeply suspect a tight end will get drafted high. They also will get a top-shelf receiver to start opposite Lazard. Anyone who thinks the Packers will stand pat at tight end, tackle and wide receiver are fools. Did I mention Aaron Rodgers? That's the offense.
On defense they lost Smith, but how much did he play this year? They did fine without him. Campbell is back, Reed was signed. P. Smith and R. Gary are back. Douglas, Stokes and Alexander with Amos and Savage make an enviable secondary. Sullivan signed with the Vikings largely because Douglas is back. Easily replaceable.
If anyone thinks the Packers NEED to score 30 points to win a game this next fall has forgotten that the Packers defense is much improved. I have faith the special teams will be better.
Anyone who doesn't think the Packers will be contenders again is a fool, without exception.
2022 could be much better because of a better defense.
Coldworld
March 27, 2022 at 05:30 pm
We will see. I’d rather be a happy fool next January than where I suspect you will be. Your words of certainty recall Shakespeare in “As You Like It”:
“A fool doth think himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.”
Throw such accusations with caution, for they may echo unpleasantly.
HarryHodag
March 28, 2022 at 02:12 pm
The Bears are looking for fans.
croatpackfan
March 28, 2022 at 04:02 am
"If your defense can hold an opponent to a under 14 points statistically your chances of winning are much higher even with a mediocre offense."
Well, last game past season Packers D kept the opponent tot 13 points. Offense was terrible, by your suggestion that even mediocre offense would bring the victory. What I confirm. And the leader of that offense was the highest paid QB and had the best receiver in the game, and ... and ... and ...
So, even if your D keep your opponent to an under 14 points, with highest paid QB in the league it is not certain that you'll win the game...
pantz_bURp
March 27, 2022 at 06:24 pm
We have Rodgers, relax y'all... this ship is the Titanic, indestructible. Captain, iceberg ahead...captain, ICEBERG AHEAD! Nawww, we are indestructible...FULL SPEED AHEAD boys...
ice cubes anyone?
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
March 28, 2022 at 12:13 am
This comment section is the band continuing to play as the ship is actively sinking LOL
pantz_bURp
March 28, 2022 at 04:15 pm
That right there made this fat man chuckle like Santa Claus...thanks R-T-S!
greengold
March 28, 2022 at 11:53 pm
Solid.
Oppy
March 28, 2022 at 12:06 pm
With Rodgers being the only path to winning a super bowl, it makes it even more impressive that 51 of the last 52 Lombardi Trophies were somehow won by teams that didn't feature Aaron Rodgers.
That shit blows my mind.
Alberta_Packer
March 27, 2022 at 03:29 pm
A "great spot"? Too many ifs for me to accept that the team is in a great spot - especially as we have virtually no receiving corps, no salary cap and no playoff proficient QB. No amount of cheer leading or blind faith will overcome these realities.
blondy45
March 27, 2022 at 11:11 pm
I agree with Alberta. Though our roster is far from final, we are still cap strapped, will have to rely on other teams rejects (FA), and hope to strike immediate gold in the draft. Gute is our MVP. He has provided the Pack with a great roster. If Gute can supply the Pack with more talented players of need in this draft class, FA, or trade, it will continue to keep the Pack strong for years to come. We need all of our coaches to bring out the best in our player's ability which is too often overlooked. We may not be in a "great spot" presently, but we are not anywhere near in panic mode either.
Lphill
March 27, 2022 at 02:55 pm
Packers will not be starting the season with draft picks at 1 and 2 receiver anyone who thinks that is crazy , they will draft receivers but they will bring in experienced players as well .
stockholder
March 27, 2022 at 03:05 pm
It didn't work for Stafford in Detroit. And it won't work in Green Bay. Remember all those TEs? - Graham etc. Rodgers needs youth. Baptism by Fire; is the only way to the super-Bowl.
murf7777
March 27, 2022 at 05:20 pm
Holy shoot, did you just compare The Green Bay Packers to do the Detroit Lions now that gave me a belly laugh.
PackEyedOptimist
March 27, 2022 at 03:47 pm
Mark, I had a similar line of thoughts about the roster this morning, though perhaps mine were even more optimistic. Consider this: Last year the Packers had the best record in the NFL. What if we add, very reasonably, let's say WR Treylon Burks, DL Devonte Wyatt, ILB Chad Muma, ED Leo Chenal, and another WR and TE.
This year's Defensive Line will be better than last year's (Reed and Wyatt > Keke and Lancaster) This year's Linebackers will be better than last year's (Muma > Barnes) This year's Edges will be better than last year's (Chenal > Zadarious who missed all year, plus Gary now has experience) This year's Cornerbacks will be better than last year's ( Keisean Nixon, Douglas all year, Stokes with experience plus return of Alexander > Sullivan + missing Alexander) This year's safeties will be ...about the same?
This year's Quarterbacks will be about the same, This year's Running Backs will be about the same, This year's Tight Ends will be better than last year's (a good rookie plus Tonyan's return > missing Tonyan) This year's Offensive Line will be better than last year's (Return of Bakhtiari and hopefully Jenkins + experience for Myers, Nijman, Runyan + Newman > Patrick)
This year's Special Teams will be better than last year's (they can't be worse, plus a good coach)
The ONLY weaker spot on the roster, right now, is Wide Receiver. With a first-rounder replacing Adams and another rookie replacing MVSESB, there will PROBABLY be a drop-off...BUT if that second rookie turns out well, he might easily be better than MVSESB (especially since MVS missed the playoffs), there is even the possibility that Amari improves -- fingers crossed...
So: BETTER: DL, LB, ED, CB, TE, OL, ST
SAME: QB, RB, S
WORSE: WR... and possibly not by a lot
This is the team with the best record in the NFL last year. Frankly, I think the biggest loss "WORSE" may end up being the coaching staff, as we lost some excellent coaches, but that's too early to judge.
murf7777
March 27, 2022 at 05:28 pm
Be careful there are many who feel this team is far worse this year!! I agree with your assessment except TE. I don’t believe they have Lewis locked in and he’s getting older and Tonyan my not be ready. We need to add a TE in the first 2-3 rounds. Let’s not forget we need to get better at ST’s as well.
Coldworld
March 27, 2022 at 05:34 pm
Lewis just got paid his roster bonus. He’s locked in unless he gives it back voluntarily.
PackEyedOptimist
March 27, 2022 at 07:12 pm
My "better" included adding a rookie TE, and I think there will be a couple in the fourth round who will make the roster better than it was last year after Tonyan's injury.
DeGuara and Dafney are still there, and Tyler Davis looked decent; all three of those guys have another year of experience.
I'm not saying the TE group is better than average, but it will be better than last year.
Cheezedik
March 27, 2022 at 11:19 pm
Need to draft Treylon Burks first and D line second. Then go LB and TE. Some good tight ends this draft.
Cheezedik
March 27, 2022 at 11:20 pm
We gained a great Special Teams coach. Just need to get some players who can actually return the ball.
greengold
March 27, 2022 at 04:21 pm
I’m not worried. I’ve been doing that for 11 years. No more.
Actually, I’ve had a bit of an epiphany. Thinking maybe this will work, that things haven’t been quite as sinister or dark as might seem. Anyone believing so must admit that they are, in fact, making assumptions. I was doing such.
Maybe, just maybe they know what they’re doing… maybe the plan is a retirement that won’t completely destroy our cap for the next decade. Maybe the Love succession plan remains, and his development stronger than some might think.
On the whole, we have every significant starter from 2021 on D returning as MOA states in his piece. I like that. A lot. As for the O, we have a 4 time MVP who will be returning to a loaded set of rookie skill position players like he’s never seen, with a smattering of decent vets. OL, to me, appears solid if Bak is healthy, and Yosh returns. Add in one or two OT in an insanely deep OT class?
We aren’t far off, considering. I like many players remaining on this roster quite a lot.
croatpackfan
March 28, 2022 at 04:19 am
It is calming when you accept that while choker is leading your favorite team, you can count on very good season and game or two in the postseason. It is OK.
I'm complaining not on this year/season, but on the sold future. Because the way Packers did it is not the way how you are leading any company, especially not the one who depends on outlier factors in level of money you can invest every year in your most valuable assets - players.
I will continue to follow Packers, to be happy for every win and be sad for every loss.
At the moment AR announce that he will be back to Packers I new the level of reach of the franchise and I accept it. I understand that I have to be patient and do not expect much while Packers are under Diva control.
If they were able to do it w/o selling the future, I will be OK with that. But, they did not. They sold the future and that is what I'm complaining about. And for who? For jerk who is
convinced in his greatness and expertise in every field he would talk about, from diseases, over basketball, running the company to football and personal affairs. But personal affairs are not going well, at least by reports you can read. Why is that? I know, but I already wrote about and do not want to repeat myself.
So, I'm not worried about this season, I'm worried about future with or w/o DIva...
dobber
March 27, 2022 at 05:33 pm
Here's that take I've been mentioning again popping up from Andrew Brandt: that ARod's contract is essentially a series of exercisable--and tradeable--bonuses that prevent dead money from accruing in GB. Brandt goes one step further to say that the contract amounts to a one-year deal because the option bonuses start building dead money.
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2022/03/aaron-rodgers-last-season-in-g...
ARod is either playing one more year and retiring, or he's being dealt after 2022 (where the acquiring team could manipulate the bonus structure to match their cap needs)..
Coldworld
March 27, 2022 at 05:43 pm
He makes a plausible case, but Brandt has not seemed all that connected to either the current management or the Rodgers camp. Certainly there appears to be a partial way out if Rodgers retires or the team wanted out, and it does make more sense of a roster that is strongest on the ground and on D. Anything is possible.
dobber
March 27, 2022 at 07:05 pm
It's one of 2-3 internally consistent narratives, even if it seems a little more out there than others.
greengold
March 27, 2022 at 09:02 pm
dobs, you ROCK! Thank you for sharing that. I like it.
Gives me some hope after having so little hope since our last draft - and none of that a reflection on last draft. Just hoping for the best. Super excited for this draft. Wow.
PackfanNY
March 27, 2022 at 07:22 pm
Here’s an idea, why don’t we wait until we actually see who will be on the team? We have 7 picks in the first four rounds of the upcoming draft. 11 total. That means a lot of players are going to be added to the mix. Possible trades. Maybe a free agent. Still about 6 months until opening day. Long way away.
Roadrunner23
March 27, 2022 at 08:12 pm
Nice piece Mark in the face of all the doom & gloomers a ray of Sunshine ☀️
MooPack
March 27, 2022 at 08:17 pm
See here:
https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/top-5-positions-packers-still-need-to-upgr...
Since'61
March 27, 2022 at 08:33 pm
I would have said that the roster is solid at this point but not great. Some wait until aft er the draft and others wait for TC. Personally, I will wait for one week prior to the season before I evaluate our roster and our chances for the season. Until the end of the final preseason game we don't know who will actually take the field for Week 1 of the season. Until then sit tight and watch the moves. We're going to have a good defense that can make stops, a good OL, excellent RBs, an MVP?HOF level QB and an emerging and improving receiving corps as the season goes on. It won't be perfect, it never is, but we have numerous good pieces in place. The key as usual will be the health of the team. Thanks, Since '61
croatpackfan
March 28, 2022 at 04:36 am
Very reasonable attitude and thinking. Many rosters looks like strong ones in the spring, but football season begins in the autumn and injuries, surprises, disappointments, SC decision, events from world out of team (some traffic accidents, or domestic violent or something else) can happen that may alter the roster significantly.
Many of us forget that.
Since'61
March 28, 2022 at 10:34 am
Good post croat! There are just too many variables, at least for me at this point of the year, to try to project what our team will be when the season begins. Stay safe. Thanks, Since '61
Cheezedik
March 27, 2022 at 11:17 pm
Packers should draft Treylon Burks first. He is a big bodied receiver who has good hands and strength against bigger corners. Then draft a linebacker or Dline second.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
March 28, 2022 at 10:26 am
I certainly understand wanting that offensive flashy WR and TE. I personally find myself constantly fighting internally between wanting to draft two WR's in round one vs drafting what will actually help the Packers be the best team.
If the Packers took best players available at #22 and #28 and they were DL and OT I'd be ecstatic because it all starts on the lines, plus there will be good WR's and TE's available in round 2.
Leatherhead
March 28, 2022 at 10:38 am
I'm with you Knock, at least part of the way.
Nothing works on offense if guys don't get blocked. I hear people saying "Oh, NIjman will be good enough", and "Newman is good enough". Yet out last two seasons have ended with a lot of backups playing on the offensive line. We could certainly use more muscle on the offensive line.
I think that with Clark, Lowry, Reed, and Slaton, it's unlikely we'll spend a first round pick on a DL.
greengold
March 28, 2022 at 10:53 am
Man, Yosh played GREAT through the entire season, and why did he not start v. SF in playoffs? Plus, Newman was a rookie. He did very well considering, and simply hit rookie wall 8 games in.
Wow.
Leatherhead
March 28, 2022 at 11:20 am
I thought Nijman played really well last year, but the overall point is larger.
Let's say we start the season with 9 guys dressing for games. We usually wouldn't have that many, but this is just for demonstration purposes.
Our 9 best linemen probably looks something like this:
1) Bakhtiari, coming off a long layoff from injury and on the bad side of 30.
2) Jenkins, currently injured and not expected back until the middle of the season.
3) Runyan, because he's stayed healthy and is in his his third year now.
4) Myers, who missed most of his rookie season with an injury.
5) Nijman, who stayed healthy and played well.
6) Newman, who stayed healthy and played a lot of snaps at RG.
But the thing is, it's almost a given that one or two of these guys won't be available during the season, or maybe the playoffs. So now we're looking at the guys that end up starting our biggest game of the season against a real good player
7-9 Hanson? Van Lanen? What else? Do you get my point? If we add a guy, or two, that can push Nijman and Newman down one, it really increases the odds that even as people get injured, we've got a real good player to fill in and we're not caught short-handed in the playoffs again.
Oppy
March 28, 2022 at 12:13 pm
They shouldn't be looking for someone to press Newman, they should be looking for someone who is a clear upgrade over Newman.
He did admirably all things considered once he settled in during 2021, but he's probably not what you really are looking for in a starter at this point.
All those snaps as a rookie would make him an excellent depth guy, though.
greengold
March 28, 2022 at 11:42 am
My point is Gutekunst’s strength is finding great OL. If he needs top one in R2-4, he’ll find one, being it is the deepest position group in this draft.
The Packers are not only in need of loading the depth at WR. They need at least 2 instant starters. Go get them! Don’t waste this opportunity with 4 picks in the top 59.