Packers: Team MVPs and Unsung Heroes

The Packers are currently 11-3 and hold the number one seed in the NFC. In addition, they just won the NFC North for the third year in a row. Nearly all of the credit will indeed go to people like Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, and Matt LaFleur all of who are the faces of the franchise right now. However, there are others who deserve credit for the Packers’ current success this season as well. Here are the team MVPs for the Packers this season who do not get enough credit for all that they have done.

Yosh Nijman

Stepped Up When Injuries Occurred At the Offensive Tackle Position

The Packers’ offensive line has had a lot of injuries this year. Despite the injuries, they have performed very well. One reason is because of Yosh Nijman who has stepped up when called upon. He was an undrafted free agent in 2019 and had not really played until this year because of injuries. Nijman has been a huge surprise as he has held up against elite pass rushers this year. He has faced players like T.J. Watt, Aaron Donald, and others and has done very well against them. He has not been perfect, yet he is doing enough to protect the blindside of Aaron Rodgers. If his level of play stays consistent he might be the future for the Packers at an offensive tackle position.

Brian Gutekunst

Built a Super Bowl-Caliber Roster for the Packers and Should Be Excutive of the Year

An NFL general manager’s job is to put the best product on the field. Brian Gutekunst has indeed done just that. He has put together a Super Bowl-caliber roster over the last two seasons. Most of his first-round picks not only have panned out but have made the Packers a top ten defense in the last couple of years. Also, his eye for offensive line talent is incredible. The Jordan Love pick in the 2020 draft and the Aaron Rodgers drama in the 2021 offseason are the only things that everyone holds against Gutekunst. In addition, outside of the horrible Jimmy Graham signing, he has been very solid in free agency. Brian Gutekunst might arguably be the best general manager in the NFL right now.

Krys Barnes

Became a True Force for the Packers Defense at Inside Linebacker

Packers have been known for finding undrafted gems over the years, and Krys Barnes might be another one. He has picked up right where he left off as a rookie last season. Despite having a couple of bad games this year Barnes is showing why he ended up leading the Packers defense last year. He is always flying to the ball and making big hits to opposing offensive players. His really good play recently has been overshadowed by the fantastic play of De’Vondre Campbell this year. Overall, Barnes has given some of the best inside linebacker play the Packers have had in years. He might be the future for the Packers at inside linebacker going forward.

Lucas Patrick

Stepped Up For the Packers With Injuries on the Offenisve Line

One of the true unsung heroes on the Packers is Lucas Patrick. There was a good chance this year he was going to be cut in training camp. However, that has not happened and is now the starting center for the Packers due to rookie starter Josh Myers being out of the lineup due to injury. Like Yosh Nijman, he has performed well when he has been in as a starter. He has not been very good in run blocking but has been excellent in pass protection. He is a true team player and has done well playing at the center position. Lucas Patrick is indeed one of the unsung heroes of the Packers this year.

Dean Lowry

Exceeding Expectations and Playing at His Peak Performance

Dean Lowry has been a huge surprise for the Packers this year. He is playing some of his best football right now and becoming a huge force for the Packers defensive line. Lowry has been taking advantage of the attention Kenny Clark attracts and has been dominating his one-on-one matchups. Numerous times this season, you see Dean Lowry bull-rushing opposing offensive linemen into the quarterback’s lap. He has certainly been proving his doubters wrong this season and may convince the Packers to keep him around a bit longer.

Marquez Valdes Scantling

Changes the Dynamic of the Offense

Marquez Valdes Scantling has been very good for the Packers. His presence on the Packers’ offense makes them very dangerous. He makes opposing defenses pay when they try to focus on stopping Davante Adams. His speed makes defenders respect him since he can run by anyone in the blink of an eye. The Packers’ offense was not as good when he missed a couple of games due to a hamstring injury. In those games, the Packers missed his ability to stretch out defenses. Against the Chicago Bears in Week 14 he helped Davante Adams score a touchdown in the second quarter. His speed grabbed the attention of Bears safety Eddie Jackson making him late to get over the top of Adams allowing Aaron Rodgers to have a window to throw to. Despite what the stats say, Marquez Valdes Scantling is an important piece to the Packers’ offense.

Kingsley Keke

Provides Interior Pressure for the Pass Rush and Compliments Kenny Clark

Kingsley Keke has taken a big step forward for the Packers in his third season. The stats may not be there but he has been very good. He is constantly in the backfield wreaking havoc on opposing offenses. Keke has taken the pressure off Kenny Clark and he has attracted some attention of his own as well. He is getting that interior pressure the Packers have been waiting for. He has been stronger against the run as well recently. If Keke can keep the consistency, the Packers pass rush can be very dangerous in the playoffs.

Adam Stenavich

Developed a Strong Packers Offensive Line Despite Injuries

Adam Stenavich has been outstanding this year with the offensive line despite all the injuries. He has done very well filling the shoes of former Packers offensive line coach James Campen who left after 2018. The Packers even with all of the injuries rank in the top ten in pass blocking and only given up twenty-four total sacks, which is really impressive. In fact, most of those sacks are all on Aaron Rodgers for holding the ball instead of getting it out on time. Stenavich has coached up Elgton Jenkins making him the most versatile offensive linemen in the NFL. In addition, he has developed Jon Runyan Jr. into a solid player in his second year with the Packers. Do not be surprised if Adam Stenavich gets interviews for head coaching opportunities as he indeed deserves it.

The Packers Medical Team

Good Job Managing Injuries

The Packers arguably have the best medical team in the NFL. They have been very good at managing the injuries the Packers have had. They have made sure not to rush Packers players back from injury as they are thinking about long-term effects. They protect players from themselves which is the right thing to do. Rushing players back can do even more damage to their bodies since, at the end of the day, they are human. They have also have done right with David Bakhtiari and Jaire Alexander’s injury making sure both are near one hundred percent before coming back. The Packers’ medical team has been a big part of why the Packers have been successful this season.

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