The Green Bay Packers sent shockwaves through the NFL and their own fanbase when they traded Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders. Of course, they really had no choice as Adams refused to play under the franchise tag. He even turned down a contract from the Packers that was worth more than the one he ended up signing with Las Vegas. However, it was his desire to play closer to his family and with his college quarterback, Derek Carr. As the Green Bay Packers prepare for the 2022 season, head coach Matt LaFleur explained how the team’s offense will look different without the two-time All-Pro.
The Packers Will Plan for Each Game on a Week-to-Week Basis
With Davante Adams on their roster, the Green Bay Packers relied heavily on the pass. This, of course, made sense given the fact that Aaron Rodgers was (and is) the quarterback. Rodgers has won the NFL MVP Award in each of the past two seasons for a reason. He is already regarded as the most accurate passer in NFL history. However, with a plethora of new young wide receivers, the Packers will be changing up their game planning in 2022. Matt LaFleur stated:
“Totally depends on the game. So I don’t want to go in there with any pre-conceived notions. We’re always gonna attack it the same way in terms of what gives us the best chance to win the football game. I think there’s always a lot of assumptions about how we’re going to do that.”
Expect Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon to Play Major Roles in the Packers Offense
One of the major changes that the Packers could see in their offense is more reliance on their dynamic backfield of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. Of the two running backs, LaFleur said:
“Certainly when you have two great running backs, you feel good about giving them the ball. But there’s ways other than just running the football to get them involved in the offense. Both of those guys are very versatile players out of the backfield. They both have great hands. It’s great because they both compliment each other very well, too, in terms of their style of how they run and the different things you can do with them.
“So time will tell in terms of how we progress when we get into training camp, when we get the pads on, when we get into the preseason games. I think it’ll be something that will kind of naturally evolve over time in terms of how we’re gonna attack a defense.”
Aaron Jones In 2021
Aaron Jones may be one of the most interesting offensive players to watch this year on the Green Bay Packers. The Pro Bowl running back has three-straight seasons with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage. As Matt LaFleur stated, he (along with AJ Dillon) is a very versatile back and can be used outside of the running game.
Last season, Aaron Jones had 799 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. These are fine numbers, especially when one considers that he missed two games. However, what makes him an intriguing player to watch in 2022 is how effective he was in the passing game.
Davante Adams led the Green Bay Packers with 123 receptions last season. The player with the second most receptions was none other than Aaron Jones. In 2021, Jones had 52 receptions for 391 yards and SIX touchdowns. His six receiving touchdowns were third on the team behind Adams (11) and Allen Lazard (eight). Without Adams on the roster, the Packers offense may look to include Aaron Jones in the passing game even more. Jones’ career high in receiving yards for a season is 474, which he accomplished in 2019. Do not be surprised if he surpasses that total in 2022. It would also be great if he would make another video mocking opposing fans.
Related: 2022 could be Aaron Jones’ last year in Green Bay
AJ Dillon in 2021
AJ Dillon was the Packers’ leading rusher last season with 803 yards and five touchdowns. He played in all 17 games and, like Aaron Jones, had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage. In addition to his rushing totals, he added 313 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Much is said about Aaron Jones’ abilities as a receiver, and rightly so. However, AJ Dillon was criminally underrated in the passing game last year. He was fourth on the team in receptions with 34. Only Adams, Jones, and Allen Lazard had more. Randall Cobb was fifth on the team with 28 receptions.
As Matt LaFleur stated, AJ Dillon compliments Aaron Jones very well due to their different styles of running with the football. One aspect of the Packers offense that could be different in 2022 is an increase in the amount of screen passes in the backfield. If this is the case, AJ Dillon would be an excellent option due to his bruising style of running. It is also worth noting that Dillon has yet to drop a single pass in his NFL career.
Related: AJ Dillon and Braelon Allen have social media fighting over who has the biggest legs
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