Green Bay Packers
2022 record: 8-9, third NFC North
Playoff picture: The Packers missed the playoffs last season for the first time in four years. Postseason absences have been pretty rare in Green Bay, which has qualified for the playoffs a whopping 16 times since 2001.
Biggest Week 1 question: Can the Packers make a smooth transition from a massive personnel change at quarterback? Jordan Love has thrown only 83 passes in his NFL career. It’s one thing to look good in practice, but how will he fare when the spotlight is squarely on him?
What’s new: If you think electric vehicles are quiet, you should check out the Packers’ approach to free agency this offseason. Barely a noise was made. The only substantive addition was safety Jonathan Owens, who made 125 tackles in 17 starts with the Houston Texans in 2022. Other signings included safety Tarvarius Moore and long snapper Matt Orzech.
They’re gone: For the first time since 2004, the Packers will open the regular season without Aaron Rodgers on their roster. It was messy breakup for Rodgers and the Packers, but ultimately their long tenure of wild success will overshadow the ugly ending. Rodgers moved on to the New York Jets, as did old pals Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb.
On the money: Keep an eye on what the Packers decide to do with veteran offensive lineman David Bakhtiari. He has been one of Green Bay’s best players over the years, but big questions lie ahead as he enters the final two years of his contract. He will count $21.2 million against the cap in 2023 and a humongous $40.4 million against the cap in 2024, according to Spotrac.
Get to know: Green Bay used its first-round pick on edge rusher Lukas Van Ness out of Iowa. Van Ness is from the Chicago area and will try to make life for Bears quarterback Justin Fields in his regular-season debut at Soldier Field, not to mention Jared Goff in Detroit and Kirk Cousins in Minnesota.
Vegas says: BetMGM set the Packers’ odds to win the NFC North at +375, putting them ahead of the Bears but behind the Lions and Vikings.
–Field Level Media
