How to Fix the Packers

The NFL offseason will be in full swing before we know it, with coaching changes, free agency and the NFL draft reshaping the 2023 fantasy football landscape. With that in mind, the Fantasy Life squad is breaking down every NFL team to determine what went wrong in 2022 and identify paths to improvement. Who knows, maybe an NFL GM will read this and realize those fantasy nerds aren’t so crazy after all – we all want the same thing, more points and more wins!!!

Team Summary

The magic seemed to finally run out for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in 2022. After missing the playoffs for just the fourth time since 2008, they appear to finally be headed for a mutual parting of ways this summer. 

Moving on will allow the franchise to finally take a long-term view after spending the last few seasons in win-now mode. There are pieces to build around on this roster and the team underperformed its talent level by finishing 8-9 with very average numbers on both sides of the ball.

This isn’t necessarily a team that needs a multi-year complete rebuild, but if they aren’t careful, the Packers could find themselves stuck in the dreaded middle, something they have largely avoided over the past 30 years. 

The coaching staff is reportedly staying mostly intact, including DC Joe Barry who was considered to be on the hot seat. This decision is unpopular with some fans, and another year of disappointment could lead to a lot of turnover next offseason.

Fantasy Fixers Recommendations

Decide if Jordan Love is the QB of the future (and act accordingly)

Hopefully this is something that the front office and coaching staff has already determined. If he is, then the focus should be building the team around him. If he isn’t, the top priority needs to be figuring out the long-term solution at QB. 

The first step will be deciding whether or not to pick up Jordan Love’s 5th year option. At this point, the only scenario where it makes sense not to would be if they can sign a veteran QB to a long-term contract, but that looks unlikely. 

Nov 27, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

This means the best path forward is to pick up the option and plan for Love to start in 2023, while maintaining the flexibility to draft someone this year or next. That decision will be influenced by how they feel about the QBs in this year’s class and what draft capital is received in a Rodgers deal.

For example, if the front office feels the same way about Anthony Richardson that I do, they should be prepared to make a move if he slides on draft day. On the other hand, if Love is as ready as Aaron Jones says he is, there is no need to take a QB and that draft capital can be used elsewhere. 

Get disciplined with the salary cap and give youth a chance

The Packers look extremely unlikely to be contenders in 2023. Although job security is always a consideration for coaches and GMs, the right move is to take the medicine this year in order to set themselves up for success in 2024 and beyond. 

One of the top priorities for 2023 should be evaluating young talent. This means re-negotiating or releasing veterans on big contracts, not making splashy free agent signings this year, and only bringing back veterans like Allen Lazard, Robert Tonyan, and Adrian Amos if they are on team-friendly deals. 

It also means allowing promising young players like Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Quay Walker, and Devonte Wyatt to play in full time roles in order to gain experience. Watson in particular should be given an opportunity to show if he can turn into the elite weapon his rookie season numbers suggest.

Based on their upcoming free agents and not wanting to spend big money on aging veterans, the biggest holes on this roster appear to be at tight end, safety, wide receiver, and defensive line. Which leads me to my next recommendation… 

Prioritize defense and pass catchers in the NFL Draft

The Packers currently have eight draft picks, including all of their own from the first five rounds, starting with the 15th overall pick. In this scenario where they have traded Aaron Rodgers away, we can assume at least one more premium pick this year. That is a decent amount of draft capital to start filling holes on this roster.

With most of the offensive line returning, the priorities on draft day should be building the defense and adding talented pass catchers to support their young QB, whether that is Jordan Love or someone else.

If I was in the Packers war room, I would tell them to look at TE Dalton Kincaid and WRs Jalin Hyatt and Kayshon Boutte as potential high-upside picks in Round 2 who can come in and develop alongside their QB. 

I won’t pretend to be an expert on the defensive prospects in this class, but the general consensus is that the defensive line and secondary groups are talented and deep. In an ideal draft, the Packers are able to get a prospect they like at defensive tackle, safety, and tight end within the first few rounds. 

Addressing these needs and putting enough talent around Love to give him a legitimate season of experience as a starter will get the Packers back on the path to competing in the NFC soon.

Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (7) carries the ball for a receiving touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter of the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports