#packernation

As the Green Bay Packers begin life without multiple winning league MVP in star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. As Rodgers jets off to New York, taking a few Packers veterans in Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard with him, the new chapter in Titletown (Green Bay) has arrived with young quarterback Jordan Love taking the reigns (Jennings, 2023). A bright future beckons with last year's breakout wide receiver Christian Watson finishing the previous season strong with seven touchdowns. Joined by second-year wideout Romeo Doubs and exciting prospect Jayden Reed the offense will have plenty of weapons in the 2023/2024 season. With such young players, the league-wide expectations are that Green Bay will be inconsistent however their strong defensive line should keep them in most games this season.

There will be teething as everyone gets used to coach Matt Lefleur's offensive scheme with the vastly different personnel. The 2022/2023 season started slowly with the team slumping to a 4-8 Win/Loss record before rallying with 4 consecutive wins to be in playoff contention with one game remaining. Unfortunately with a final-week loss to NFC rivals the Detroit Lions, the Green Bay Packers missed the playoffs with a 8-9 record that was only good enough for 3rd spot in the NFC North Division.

The Green Bay Packers schedule for the 2023/2024 season appears to be favourable with early season games against the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons who are both expected to struggle this season. The back end of the season will be more challenging with multiple games against divisional rivals Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions who have recruited well in recent seasons to challenge Green Bay Packers traditional stranglehold on the NFC North Division.

This season's backfield will be led by all-pro running back Aaron Jones and the powerful AJ Dillon. Defensive lineman leaders Rashan Gary and Preston Smith should lead the team in sacks and quarterback pressures while cornerback Jaire Alexander routinely has the most interceptions. Specials teams kick returner Keisean Nixon and rookie kicker Anders Carlson are expected to have strong seasons.

Hopes are high as expectations are always lofty in Green Bay with such a storied history however, realistically this does not look like a playoff-worthy roster just yet. With so much youth the room for growth is high but this will take time to click. I'm expecting 5-6 wins this season. With the hope of holding good draft capital and making some strong moves the following offseason.

References

Jennings, G. (2023 August 2). Green Bay Packers 2023 Season Preview: Is Jordan Love the Answer? 33rd Team