The Green Bay Packers wrapped up 2023 training camp last week and finished out the preseason with a victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Now, all of their attention will turn toward the regular season and a Week 1 matchup with the Chicago Bears.
There were a number of questions for the Packers heading into training camp. Everyone had their eyes on Jordan Love and the offense as they are set to embark on a new era post-Aaron Rodgers. His performance was one of the biggest takeaways of camp.
If he showed anything during training camp and the preseason, it is that he can lead Green Bay to victories. The Packers’ offense looked good with him at the helm and they should be productive throughout the season.
No one is saying that they will all of a sudden become contenders in the NFC, but anyone who wrote them off already will quickly be proven wrong. While Love and his supporting cast are very inexperienced, there certainly isn’t a lack of talent at the skill positions.
Matt LaFleur is going to have a lot of fun game planning and scheming for this offense. He has some extremely athletic players at his disposal and guys who can play different roles and spots in the formation.
The speed has been especially noticeable during training camp. The Packers are going to be able to create a lot of mismatches as defenses are going to have a hard time keeping up with wide receivers Christian Watson and Jayden Reed and tight end Luke Musgrave.
Another thing to take notice of offensively is the offensive line. That unit may not be as set as originally thought. David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Jon Runyan Jr. and Zach Tom seemingly have spots locked down. Bakhtiari and Jenkins are holding down the left side, while Runyan is at right guard.
The center spot, which was occupied by Josh Myers, could be up for grabs. Tom has taken snaps there again with impressive youngster Rasheed Walker playing at right tackle. Josh Nijman also received first-team tackle snaps earlier this offseason, which makes Myers’ hold on the starting spot very shaky.
This is a deep, talented unit that the Packers will be sure to take advantage of. In the trenches on the other side of the ball, Green Bay’s coaching staff has to be pleasantly surprised. The defensive line was a major question mark all offseason as people questioned the youthfulness around Kenny Clark.
In training camp, most of those concerns were quelled. Devonte Wyatt is going to take a second-year leap. Rookies Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks have both cemented their status as pieces of the rotation along with TJ Slaton.
The pass-rushing depth looks much improved as well. The Packers got after the quarterback with some regularity despite Rashan Gary being brought along slowly. What was a major weakness in 2022 could be turning into a strength in Green Bay.
The safety position was the most fluid of the training camp, but the depth chart is coming into focus. Rudy Ford looks to have emerged as the starter alongside Darnell Savage Jr. The group rotated a lot, so there likely won’t be a long leash for Ford with Jonathan Owens, Tavarius Moore, Dallin Leavitt and rookie Anthony Johnson Jr. behind him.
Last but not least, the Packers are taking a risky approach to special teams. They are going to have a rookie kicker, punter and holder heading into Week 1 with Anders Carlson, Daniel Whelan and Sean Clifford.
Patience will have to be shown as some bumps in the road are likely. Carlson’s performance has been like a roller coaster ride with constant ups and downs. But, the team has remained committed to him and he will be the starter for hopefully many seasons.
