How is it possible that, within a year’s time, the Green Bay Packers almost lost an all-time top-five quarterback and then did lose the best wide receiver in football?
Yes, it appears that Davante Adams truly wanted a trade and to play with Derek Carr for the remainder of his prime and into the sunset of his career. The Packers offered him the same deal, possibly even more than the Raiders. He turned them down to be traded. So what has been going on the past few years over at Lambeau?
Do the Packers have some cap space now? Sure. That’s great. They also have two more draft picks in higher spots. And when has Green Bay used those high draft picks for an impact wide receiver? Almost a decade ago in 2014. For whom? Davante Adams. When it comes to acquiring free-agent wideouts, it’s been even longer than a decade. I understand that the Packers’ philosophy is to draft and develop, but in situations like this, you need to make some moves. This roster needs some new offensive X-factors.
What Is The Plan?
So now that we have Aaron Rodgers locked up alongside a probably-depressed backup quarterback, I would love to know the new game plan. Obviously, the goal is to win the Super Bowl within the next few years. Green Bay can’t restructure forever and play hide-and-seek with the salary cap. Well, maybe they can, but that doesn’t make their lives any easier.
I am very excited about Green Bay’s defense. The Packers have a solid core, and a few more quality draft picks can help this team get to the next level. Also, use those draft picks for some special-teams specialists, please. Bringing back De’Vondre Campbell, Preston Smith and Rasul Douglas were all great moves. They could very well turn the Packers into a team that relies primarily on their defense and running game. And with Green Bay’s current receiving corps, it might have to be.
The Packers now need two or perhaps three receivers, a tight end, and a revamped special-teams roster. Hiring Rich Bisaccia was a great first step. Was it a year too late? Of course. It’s the Packers’ way. Are they going to use that new cap space on another defensive player? Or are they just going to re-sign Robert Tonyan and Marquez Valdes-Scantling and hope for help in the draft? Can you please just extend Jaire Alexander?!?!
Wide Receiver Situation
Currently, Green Bay has Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, Amari Rodgers, and Juwann Winfree. At tight end, they have Marcedes Lewis and Josiah Deguara. Would that be considered a bottom-third group of receivers in the NFL? Probably. All of those players are great, but the Packers now need some impact players.
I am all for bringing back Tonyan. He was a key piece missing from the offense last year. There is still time for Deguara, but it’s starting to run out. He had some pretty big drops last year. Deguara will now be going into his third year; it will be make-or-break time next season. Tonyan still appears to be flying under the radar following his injury last year. If Tonyan is still too much, maybe an Austin Hooper would fit as long as it’s the right price. The Packers can’t make another Jimmy Graham mistake.
I don’t have much faith in them signing a top free-agent receiver. It’s just not their style. I would enjoy a Jarvis Landry or JuJu Smith-Schuster, but I assume they are asking for a lot more than the Packers want to spend right now. Also, it’s hard not to prefer a first-round receiver over a free-agent one with up-and-down seasons and troublesome injury history.
If the Packers are banking on the draft, which they can, they’d better hit. It’s a great receiving class, and they need that next impact player on the team. Green Bay drafted three receivers in 2018, none of whom are still on the team: J’Mon Moore, MVS, and Equanimeous St. Brown. Yes, MVS could still re-sign. But St. Brown is now on the Chicago Bears, and Moore is in the USFL. That can’t happen again for Green Bay.
New Packers Game Style
If their new plan is indeed to have a top defense and run-heavy offense, that is fine. As long as the Packers can adjust their game plan during an actual game in case one of their backs gets hurt. Green Bay and its coaches seemed lost when A.J. Dillon was injured in the playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers.
A new team strategy like this would work with a healthy Tonyan and some receivers to get the ball to. Rodgers is still an incredible quarterback and should be able to pass the ball around and make his receivers look like heroes. But they also need to draft well.
Green Bay has plenty of picks, but they better use them right. They need some additional defensive linemen and linebackers. Some offensive line depth is always good, and thankfully the Packers are very good with that. But they need some weapons right now. Grab your Justin Jefferson from this year’s class of receivers — especially if you aren’t going to sign someone or make another blockbuster trade with the extra picks.
Yes, it’s only late March and the season doesn’t start for almost six months. But, right now, the Packers seem lost. I am sure that’s not the case, but who the heck knows?
I have no idea what they are doing. I need to see the full script for this one. Right now, we are at the Thanos snap at the end of Infinity War, and it’s going to feel like forever until we see the endgame.
