We are going to learn a lot about the Green Bay Packers in the coming weeks. The team opened up training camp week and there have already been several things that have stood out in the first few practices.
The development of their young weapons will be something everyone keeps an eye on. Thus far, wide receivers Christian Watson and Jayden Reed and running back Tyler Goodson have all stood out in the early going.
The youngsters along the defensive line have also been raising some eyebrows at training camp. Kenny Clark remains a stalwart at defensive tackle but the Packers are going to be deploying a lot of new faces alongside him. The speed of 2022 first-round pick Devonte Wyatt and rookies Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks has impressed.
While there have certainly been some positives, there are certainly some things that need to be answered. Here are three burning questions the Packers must answer during training camp in the coming weeks.
3. Who Will Step Up At Safety?
If the Packers are going to find success in the early going of 2023, it will come from their defense having some dominant performances. Matt LaFleur is going to lead on that side of the ball to lead the way and rightfully so. This unit is deep, talented and has vastly more experience than the offense.
However, not everything on that side is set in stone. The safety position is the weakest on the roster and has a ton of question marks; there isn’t a sure thing among the group. Darnell Savage Jr. is the closest thing to a surefire starter, but he was benched last season for ineffective play.
In the early going, he has been the starter alongside Rudy Ford. Free agent signing Jonathan Owens and Dallin Leavitt have run with the second team. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry is hoping someone emerges from this group to rely on.
If not, the Packers should dip into free agency for answers. John Johnson would be a nice addition to the secondary as someone that would bring versatility to the backend of the defense.
2. How Quickly Can Injured Stars Return?
Heading into training camp, the Packers were a relatively healthy team. Not many players opened up on the physically unable-to-perform list, but for Green Bay, it was about the quality over the quantity.
Star pass rusher Rashan Gary and potential starting cornerback Eric Stokes are both currently on the PUP list. How long they will stay there is something everyone is thinking about as both players saw their 2022 campaigns end in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions.
Without Gary, the team’s pass rush became anemic in 2022. Their numbers plummeted across the board and he finished second on the team with 6.0 sacks despite playing only nine games. Stokes has flashed excellent potential and makes for a strong trio along with Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas.
Getting both plays back in the fold as soon as possible would be a huge boon to the team’s defense. Both are expected to play prominent roles upon their return in 2023.
1. Can Jordan Love Command The Offense?
The biggest question that needs to be answered during training camp is if Jordan Love is the answer at quarterback. He has some massive shoes to fill, taking over for the legendary Aaron Rodgers, who was traded to the New York Jets.
For the better part of three decades, the Packers have had a Hall of Fame quarterback under center as Rodgers replaced Brett Favre. Expecting Love to continue that legacy is unfair, but he will have plenty of questions to answer over the next few weeks at practice.
While Love is short on regular season game experience, he should know this playbook like the back of his hand. He has spent three years learning behind Rodgers, figuring out the nuances of the system LaFleur wants to run.
Luckily for Love, he has an excellent offensive line in front of him and a great running back duo to support him. His pass catchers are no slouches, but they are lacking NFL experience similar to himself.
