The Green Bay Packers are heading into training camp this year with a few mysteries on the roster. Not so much in who will be taking the field, as there aren’t many training camp battles expected to take place. Alas, it is more about what to expect from the players that will be getting those snaps.
2023 is the start of a new era for the Packers, who are transitioning from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love as their starting quarterback. Those are some massive shoes for Love to fill, as Rodgers is one of the best to ever do it.
To make things even tougher, Love will be taking over what is a very inexperienced offense overall. That is why Mike Clay of ESPN said that the biggest weakness on the Packers’ roster is their lack of experienced pass catchers.
“Established pass-catchers. Green Bay’s projected top seven wide receivers and top two tight ends were all drafted in 2022 or 2023. That’s unheard of, and while there’s long-term potential here, none are first-rounders, and the group is very inexperienced. Second-year receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs and rookies Jayden Reed, Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft are all ticketed for massive 2023 roles.”
After trading Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders and seeing Marquez Valdes-Scantling depart in free agency in 2022, Green Bay saw even more losses in 2023. Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb both signed with the New York Jets, continuing their working relationship with Rodgers.
That has left the Packers dangerously thin on experience at the wide receiver spot. Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed all have immense potential, but surrounding your first-time starting quarterback with first and second-year players is certainly a bold decision.
It is even bolder when you take into account that his tight ends will be much the same. Josiah Deguara, who is entering Year 4 of his NFL career, is the elder statesman of the group.
It would not be surprising if the Packers made a move to add a veteran pass catcher to the mix in training camp. When roster cutdowns occur, an established veteran or two could shake loose. Of the current crop of free agents, DeAndre Hopkins, Jarvis Landry, T.Y. Hilton, A.J. Green and Kenny Golladay could all be helpful additions to the team.