Evaluations and predictions on how the Green Bay Packers will do during the 2023 season are all over the place. Some people have already written the team off, which will certainly be motivating to the players in the locker room.
It is easy to see why some analysts are down on the Packers. Replacing a legend in Aaron Rodgers is not easy; when it is an unproven player such as Jordan Love, it is even tougher to get excited about. But, the people within the organization are confident that he can get the job done, which is all that matters.
There are also people outside of the organization that isn’t counting the Packers out. One of those people is former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst, Dan Orlovsky. During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Orlovsky made a bold claim about the green and gold.
“I still think the Green Bay Packers are a playoff football team… What happens if Jordan Love is really good with that young talent they have on offense”
The 2020 first-round pick is certainly under immense pressure. While the inexperience on offense will create some bumps in the road, there is no denying the talent that he has around him.
The Packers may not spend first-round capital on the skill positions, but they have brought in some high-end young talent. Wide receiver Christian Watson was a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft along with fourth-round pick Romeo Doubs. In this year’s draft, the Packers selected wide receiver Jayden Reed and tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft on Day 2.
It will take some time for those guys to gel and develop and they will be afforded that chance. That is because Green Bay has the best running back tandem in the NFL in Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon to help carry the load.
Not to mention, the pieces are in place for the Packers to have a very good defense. This is an elite passing defense led by Jaire Alexander, one of the true lockdown cornerbacks in the NFL. Once Rashan Gary can return from injury, they will have a potent pass-rushing attack with Preston Smith and 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness.
Orlovsky’s claim will be taken as bold by many, but it isn’t as outlandish as you may think. The Packers were one victory away from making the playoffs last season, so this isn’t a team as far off from contending as people may think.