This season, the offensive line was the most important unit for the Green Bay Packers’ offense. Considering the re-shuffling of the wide receiver group, it was always imperative for the line to step up. At least it had to be better than in the earlier years of Matt LaFleur’s tenure.
But that hasn’t been the case so far this season. The unit has struggled again, there has been a new combination in almost every game, and the line hasn’t supported the offense through a transition year. That’s one of the biggest reasons why the Packers have scored only 18.12 points per game this season and why the team is 3-5.
Lineup
There is no continuity for the offensive line because of injuries and performance-based decisions. There were five different starting formations in eight games — and eight different total lineups. Initially, the Packers didn’t have David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins because of knee injuries. But both were back by Week 3, and the starting formation was set until Week 6. However, Bakhtiari’s injury situation demanded that he and Yosh Nijman kept going on and off the field during games.
In Week 6, Royce Newman’s lack of performance made the Packers put Jake Hanson on the field. However, he got injured almost immediately, and Newman was back.
The Packers planned multiple changes to allow their five best offensive linemen to be on the field simultaneously against the Washington Commanders. They put Nijman at RT and Jenkins back at LG. But the team hasn’t been able to put their ideal five on the field since the change. Against Washington, David Bakhtiari didn’t play because of discomfort in his knee. On Sunday night against the Buffalo Bills, Jenkins was out because of a foot injury. Zach Tom replaced the injured players in each case, but in different positions.
- Week 1 vs. Vikings: Yosh Nijman, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Jake Hanson, Royce Newman
- Week 2 vs. Bears: Yosh Nijman, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Royce Newman, Elgton Jenkins
- Week 3 vs. Bucs: David Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Royce Newman, Elgton Jenkins
- Week 4 vs. Patriots: David Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Royce Newman, Elgton Jenkins
- Week 5 vs. Giants: David Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Royce Newman, Elgton Jenkins
- Week 6 vs. Jets: David Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Royce Newman, Elgton Jenkins
- Week 7 vs. Commanders: Zach Tom, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan, Yosh Nijman
- Week 8 vs. Bills: David Bakhtiari, Zach Tom, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan, Yosh Nijman
Coaching
The changes are not limited just to the players, though. The coaching staff has also undergone a transformation since last season’s end. With former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett headed to Denver to be the Broncos’ head coach, former offensive line coach and run-game coordinator Adam Stenavich was promoted to OC. Former assistant Luke Butkus was promoted to offensive line coach, and offensive quality control coach Ryan Mahaffey was elevated to assistant offensive line coach. LaFleur tried to stress continuity in building his staff, but the results weren’t good.
The offense isn’t as creative or effective under Stenavich, and the offensive line hasn’t handled personnel changes as well as it did in the last couple of years. It’s a Peter Principle effect.
Those issues have made the lack of performance evident. There are no tackles or guards among the 10 best at their positions in pass- or run-block win rate. Center Josh Myers is the only Packers lineman in the top 10 of his position. Moreover, the Packers are 17th in pass-block win rate and 24th in run-block win rate. The offense can be effective when the receivers are not good enough to compensate for those issues.
Some things are out of Green Bay’s control. Bakhtiari and Jenkins’ injuries are unfortunate. But there is time until the end of the season to adjust what is possible to control. Last week, I wrote about potential offensive coaching changes, and that might be the best way to extract more from a unit that needs to play better for the offense to function at its highest possible level.
The Packers’ offense has a relatively easy matchup next week against the Detroit Lions. It’s a good opportunity for the unit to establish things that can work and be new staples of the offense moving forward against better competition. Green Bay basically needs to win six or seven out of nine games to have a playoff shot, so there is limited time left to do what needs to be done.
