What is the Packers’ top goal this offseason?
The Green Bay Packers head into the offseason with a top goal of figuring out how to return to the playoffs after failing to do so for the first time in four seasons. The Packers will have to address much of their 2022-23 roster heading into free agency. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has publicly stated names he’d like to see on the Packers if he returns to Green Bay next season.
The question of Rodgers’ retirement decision and plans with the Packers is another obstacle general manager Brian Gutekunst will need to navigate in the coming weeks. That’s because the Packers will likely bring Rodgers back to play in 2023 due in part to his enormous contract, and the free agents Rodgers wants the team to sign are players Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur wouldn’t ink with a rebuilding roster.
The Packers’ top decision
Matt Schneidman with The Athletic wrote about top goals for the Packers this offseason. Schneidman ranked the most critical decisions the Packers will make in the coming months. Not surprisingly, they listed establishing Rodgers as the starting quarterback for 2023 as the leading priority for the Packers. The decision ranked right above trading Jordan Love:
“It would be understandable if the Packers sought to trade Aaron Rodgers this offseason, assuming he doesn’t retire. They’d get back valuable assets, avoid financial catastrophe down the road with Rodgers’ contract — at least more of a catastrophe than they’d endure if they trade him this offseason — and finally see what they truly have in Jordan Love to determine whether he’s the quarterback of the future.
However, it seems as if the Packers still believe Rodgers gives them the best chance to win right now. Whether that’s more an endorsement of Rodgers or an indictment of Love remains unknown.
Whatever cap hell the Packers find themselves in down the road will be worth it if they win a second Super Bowl with Rodgers, and that might evoke desperation from the front office this offseason instead of acting with eyes more toward the future. Winning it all seems unrealistic at this point, at least as the team is currently constructed, but Green Bay’s GM and head coach probably think there’s a chance given how Rodgers has played in two of the last three years and how close the team has gotten twice under LaFleur despite the shortcomings of the last two seasons.”
This seems pessimistic. Rodgers was close to making the playoffs with a young roster and a broken throwing hand this season. One could imagine the Packers bringing in a number one wide receiver or drafting a tight end who could take the offense to the next level in 2023. (If Rodgers plays in Green Bay next season, getting another pass catcher has to be a top goal.)
After all, the NFC will remain a weak conference next season. A Super Bowl run will not be out of the question by next September with Rodgers as the starting quarterback.
