There are a lot of uncertainties surrounding the Green Bay Packers heading into the 2023 season, especially on the offensive side of the ball. However, if there is one thing that they can count on, it is that they have a group of players that can get the job done in the trenches.
For any offense to succeed, they need an offensive line that is capable of playing well every week. The Packers have that, which will give Jordan Love a chance to find success while he navigates his first season as the team’s starter.
Green Bay’s offensive line was ranked No. 8 in the NFL by Sam Monson of PFF. That is actually a drop in the rankings from last season, as they fell five spots. The Packers have an excellent mix of youth and experience on their offensive line.
David Bakhtiari has been a mainstay at left tackle for years and was named the best player on this unit by Monson.
“Injury and then an appendectomy limited him to just 597 snaps, but David Bakhtiari didn’t allow a sack or a hit all season and surrendered only 10 hurries across 339 pass-blocking snaps. His knee is potentially now a chronic concern, but he is still an elite pass protector.”
If the knee issues persist, the Packers at least know they have options that they can turn to. Projected right tackle Zach Tom played very well at left tackle in relief of Bakhtiari last season. If he has to flip back over to the left side, Yosuah Nijman could slot back into the lineup at right tackle.
Elgton Jenkins is settling in at left guard after signing a nice extension last year. Josh Myers, the projected starting center, is heading into Year 3 of his career, while Jon Runyan is heading into Year 4 and should be the starting right guard.
The biggest concern for this group, in the opinion of Monson, is how much of their performance was because of Aaron Rodgers.
“The great unknown about this offensive line is just how much it benefited from Aaron Rodgers playing quarterback. Though Rodgers typically holds the ball, he also manipulates the pocket as well as any passer in football. Jordan Love is unlikely to match that trait.”
While a quarterback does play a part in the offensive line’s success, this is a very strong unit with or without Rodgers under center. If this group continues playing at the level they have shown capable of, they will be able to get the job done for Love.