As the 2024 offseason is in full swing, we reflect on how the Green Bay Packers looked this past year. What dominated the storyline early was how they needed to complete their first year without Aaron Rodgers on the roster. On the surface, they had a somewhat mixed season. The offense arguably strived with Jordan Love as the quarterback, as he helped lead the team to a 9-8 record that was good enough to reach the postseason. Now that we’re in the 2024 offseason, figuring out the next moves will be critical.
However, there were struggles on the other side of the ball as the defense struggled. So much so, head coach Matt LaFleur recently decided to fire his defensive coordinator, Joe Barry. They may have been able to win their Wild Card match against the Dallas Cowboys (48-32), but they were beaten by eventual Super Bowl LVIII finalists, the San Francisco 49ers, in the Divisional Round (21-24).
Of course, it would have perhaps been unfair to expect a lot from the Packers this season, given that it was the first without Rodgers. However, fans of the franchise have high expectations of their team. They expect the team to continually challenge, and the fact that their last Super Bowl appearance was back in 2011 at Super Bowl XLV when they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, there is a fanbase that will be growing frustrated.
The Packers are going to have to address several needs in the offseason through free agency and the NFL Draft. They have a total of eight picks currently, with their first being the No. 25 overall. Depending on who they manage to acquire, fans who use the bet365 Canada site for all of their NFL betting needs after reading reviews of the sportsbook may begin to feel they can start to consider the iconic franchise.
What do the Green Bay Packers need in the 2024 offseason?
There are a few key areas that LaFleur will need to address this offseason if the team is to become an NFC contender for the Vince Lombardi Trophy once again.
Interior Offensive Line
It is possible to argue that the interior offensive line requires help, with the center and the right guard positions being areas of potential weakness. Elgton Jenkins has solidified his position as the left guard, but there is not a standout in the other two. Josh Mayers and Jon Runyan both ranked near the bottom at their positions across the league, thus emphasizing the need the Packers must strengthen here.
Packers ESPN writer Rob Demovsky had this to say about adding protection for Jordan Love this offseason:
“A month ago, it looked like the Packers would be in position to draft another franchise quarterback if they needed one. Now, Jordan Love’s play might have convinced them he’s the guy. If that’s the case, then they best help him. With five picks in the first three rounds, Green Bay’s priority should be a left tackle to replace the ailing David Bakhtiari.”
Middle of Defense
Elsewhere, the middle of the field has been a big issue in terms of coverage. Their safeties and linebackers were all ranked in the bottom half of the league, with the latter being 28th of the 32 teams. The team’s safety department is about to potentially become disrupted, with their top three players – Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, and Jonathan Owens – in the position all about to be unrestricted free agents. It’s essential they look to solve this in the 2024 offseason.
Running Game
Although the team did well on offense last season, the Green Bay Packers could also look to add new faces to its running back room. It would not be a surprise if they were to go down the free agent route this offseason, with players like A.J. Dillon and Austin Ekeler available with experience. However, if they go down the draft route, they can also look to get a mid-rounder as the class is considered to be relatively strong for the position.