The future in Green Bay is probably the most uncertain that it has been since Brett Favre retired. Aaron Rodgers looks like this season may be a “Last Dance” in Green Bay. Davante Adams wants to be paid like the highest Wide Receiver in the league, and the Packers may not be able to pay.
If this is the last year we have this Super Bowl caliber team together, I believe that this is the year they win the Super Bowl for the first time since Super Bowl 45. There are 5 main focus that give the Packers the edge, and bring the Lombardi home. Let’s break it down.
Number One- Aaron Rodgers
After all the drama we went through in the offseason, the reigning MVP is back. He’s not stopping short of the Super Bowl this year. It’s hard to put into words how important Rodgers is to the Packers. His 4.63 touchdown to interception ratio often goes unnoticed. Rodgers may eclipse 500 touchdowns before he gets his 100th interception. Last year in his 3rd MVP year he threw for a league leading 48 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions. In his 3rd year under Matt LaFleur’s offense, it’s possible that he may have an even better year. There will likely be 3 new receivers on the team this year. One of which is his longtime friend Randall Cobb. The addition of Amari Rodgers, and Devin Funchess who sat out last year can mean big things if they are on the same page as Rodgers.
Number Two- The Offensive Line
Last season Aaron Rodgers was the least sacked QB in the league. I’ve often said that Offensive Line is the second most important position behind the QB. If your QB doesn’t have time, drives end in sacks, and 3 and outs. Rodgers has been one of the best in the league in making a play out of nothing. Without that time there would be plenty of beautiful plays we would be without. The Offensive Line will look at lot different this year than last year. But having all 5 guys on the line on the same page is huge. If the Offensive Line can keep Rodgers off the ground, it can be a major reason why the Packers can and will win the Super Bowl. The Lombardi Trophy misses its home.
Number Three- The Secondary
We all know how important the secondary is, and especially the phenomenal play of Jaire Alexander. A simple misstep last year in the NFC Championship game is a part of the reason why our season ended before the Super Bowl. The Packers used their first round draft pick this year on CB Eric Stokes. The Packers are well aware, that the spot across from Jaire needed an upgrade. The safety position looks bright with Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos. If the Packers hit on Eric Stokes, opposing teams beware. It certainly helps that Davante Adams has been high on him this preseason.
Number Four- A Unified Locker Room
There are 53 men on an active roster during the regular season. They all have one goal in mind to finish the season. A Super Bowl is what young men dream of growing up. Among those 53 men are 53 different backgrounds and upbringings. Every year players come, and players go. Having leaders in the locker room and guys that new players look up to is hugely important. If all 53 players can be unified and work together as a team well then, that bodes well for bringing the Lombardi back to Green Bay. Luckily in 2 years under Matt LaFleur we’ve seen some of the most unified squads. It’s important to keep that going in year 3. Especially after the Aaron Rodgers drama.
Number Five- Lambeau Field
There may be no better home field advantage than Lambeau Field in the winter time. Lambeau Field in the cold is brutal, and has long earned it’s nickname of the Frozen Tundra. While last year was a blown opportunity, Lambeau Field is still a tough place to play in the cold. When the fans and the players are on the same page, Lambeau Field is a magical place. The players feed off of the energy that the crowd brings. Go Pack Go chants can be heard far outside the stadium. Now more than ever as only one team per conference gets home field throughout the playoffs, is playing at Lambeau in January vastly important. If the Packers want to make another run at the Super Bowl having opponents come to Lambeau is crucial in that ultimate goal.
We Have All The Pieces In Place
Anything short of a Super Bowl this year is almost guaranteed to be a wasted season. As I spoke about before with the uncertainty of the future in Green Bay this year is the year the Lombardi needs to come home. The players deserve it, and the fans deserve it. Let’s get Matt LaFleur his own street in Green Bay.
As always Go Pack Go!
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