Heading into the 2023 season, the Green Bay Packers know that their offense is going to be a work in progress. Not only are they handing the keys to Jordan Love to be the starter for the first time in his career, he is surrounded by inexperienced players at the skill position spots as well.
As things currently stand, there isn’t a single wide receiver on the roster with more than one season of NFL experience. The tight end depth chart is going to be led by two rookies as well, as there are going to be bumps in the road.
That will put some pressure on the team’s defense to perform early on in the season. It is something veteran pass rusher Preston Smith has touchded on previously, as they are not worried about doing the heavy lifting until the offense can find its groove.
It should come as no surprise then that the biggest X-Factor for the 2023 season, in the opinion of ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, is the Packers’ defense. As Demovsky shared, even the organization knows the defense is going to be what leads them in the early going.
“Packers president Mark Murphy said, “I think our defense probably will have to carry us a little bit in the early season.” The question is, can it? The Packers thought they had a strong defense last season but started the year slowly. They’re running it back with defensive coordinator Joe Barry, who has apparently made enough philosophical changes to appease players such as cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas, who want to play more aggressively in press coverage. When healthy, the Packers have eight first-round picks on defense, so there’s talent there.”
Defensive coordinator Joe Barry is squarely on the hot heat heading into the regular season. Adjusting his game plan and philosophy to better fit the talent on the roster is certainly a good first step in the right direction. Because if he doesn’t get the job done, he will be on the unemployment line.
This defense has the talent to be among the most dominant units in the NFL. As many as eight first-round picks could be on the field at the same time as they are loaded with talent at every level of the defense.
In training camp, a lot of focus has been on the depth along the defensive line. Youngsters such as Devonte Wyatt, TJ Slaton, Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks have answered the call thus far alongside Kenny Clark.
The biggest concern with this unit is the safety spot. No one has separated themselves from the competition as the Packers will be relying on some combination of Darnell Savage Jr., Rudy Ford, Jonathan Owens, Tarvaius Moore and Dallin Leavitt. Not overly inspiring, but given the strength of their cornerbacks and front seven, some pressure should be taken off the safeties.
