Heading into the 2023 season, the Green Bay Packers are shrouded in some mystery. Given the overall inexperience of the roster, which is considered their biggest weakness, it is hard to project and predict how things could turn out.
Without much of a track record to go off of, no one knows what to expect from the Packers. However, there are a few things you can be sure about; they are going to be able to run the ball and get after the quarterback.
Training camp and preseason showed that Green Bay’s pass rush will be much improved around Rashan Gary. Running backs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon will be relied upon heavily, but their success will be determined by the Packers’ biggest strength; their offensive line.
In the opinion of ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, blocking is what the Packers do best heading into the 2023 season. If they want to find success in the coming months, the offensive line is going to have to live up to their potential.
“The Packers ranked fifth in pass block win rate (66.8%) and eighth in run block win rate (72.4%) last season and return all of their key offensive linemen from last season. That should make life a little easier for quarterback Jordan Love, who enjoyed stellar pass protection during training camp and the preseason.”
There is a chance that the best offensive line resides in Green Bay. If they can have some better injury luck, this is a bonafide top-five unit. Left tackle David Bakhtiari, who has been on an adjusted schedule this offseason to keep him fresh, is a former All-Pro. Left guard Elgton Jenkins is a former Pro Bowler.
Zach Tom, who is going to start at center or right tackle, provides versatility and is poised for a second-year jump. Jon Runyan Jr. is locked in at right guard, while the fifth spot will go to center Josh Myers or tackles Rasheed Walker or Yosh Nijman.
Arguably the most impressive part of this group is the depth that has been put together. Green Bay has players who will be coming off the bench capable of starting on numerous teams around the league. Identifying and developing offensive line talent has been a strength of the Packers in recent years.
While all of the focus this offseason has been on Jordan Love and the inexperience of his pass catchers, the success of this unit falls in the trenches. If the offensive line can do their job, the Packers offense is going to be able to hum like a well-oiled machine.
