Expectations are never low with the Green Bay Packers. A postseason berth has become the minimum standard.
After exiting as a one-and-done in the playoffs last season in Philadelphia, general manager Brian Gutekunst sounded different when he was encapsulating the season that was.
He mentioned the word urgency. Gutekunst said that it’s time for the Packers to start competing for championships.
Fast-forward to Wednesday’s schedule release, and Green Bay will have a big opportunity early to back up Gutekunst’s comments. The Packers will open the season at home for the first time in the Matt LaFleur era. However, the more daunting part comes when you realize it will be a Week 1 matchup against the Detroit Lions.
The Lions are coming off back-to-back division crowns and are returning almost every key part on the roster from 2024. They went 2-0 against the Packers and, if not for a slew of injuries, could’ve been the NFC representative in the Super Bowl. Instead, the Washington Commanders sent Detroit packing before they played the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship.
Oh, by the way, the Commanders will be Green Bay’s Week 2 opponent.
Jayden Daniels took the league by storm as a rookie, and Washington went out this offseason and added another big weapon to the equation in Deebo Samuel. There may not be two bigger tests in consecutive weeks for the Packers than immediately facing the Lions and Commanders. It will put Gutekunst’s theory about urgency to the test.
Emotions can run high after a season concludes. Even with a few days to cool off before speaking to reporters, recognizing that a season fell short of expectations can lead to strong thoughts.
Gutekunst has always been crafty and careful with what he says. In January, he put everyone on notice.
I think, for me, the thing that’s been on my mind as we’ve concluded this season is we need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency. These opportunities don’t come (very often). … We’ve got a bunch of good guys in that locker room, got a bunch of talented guys in that locker room, and yeah, I think it’s time that we start competing for championships, right?
Some took this as an indication that the Packers would run wild and go on a spending spree in free agency. They shelled out for cornerback Nate Hobbs and left guard Aaron Banks, but many fans expected more.
In April, Gutekunst clarified what he meant by the urgency comments. They weren’t aimed at a free-agency approach.
The “urgency’” comment was really more for our team and our organization to understand what the expectations are. The urgency comment is across the board, it’s for our players, it’s for our organization, and just how we’re going to approach things.
Now, they’ll have an early chance to do so.
If there was one fatal flaw with the Packers in 2024, it was that they couldn’t beat the best of the best. Detroit, Minnesota, and Philadelphia finished with the three best records in the NFC a year ago. Green Bay went 0-6 against them, including the loss in the playoffs. The Packers went 11-1 against everyone else.
Despite having numerous chances to do so, they were able to beat up on lesser competition but couldn’t pack a punch strong enough to knock off any of the top dogs.
Gutekunst has been a huge advocate for internal growth. Some of the younger players on the roster, coupled with the additions made in free agency and the draft, were enough to push Green Bay over the top in 2025.
We will find out early on if the proof is in the pudding.
Detroit and Washington figure to be right back in the mix as two heavy hitters in the NFC. Some may have preferred a softer start, like hosting the Carolina Panthers or facing the New York Giants. However, there are no layups in the NFL. Double-digit spreads are rare because of the league’s razor-thin margins.
There absolutely are advantageous matchups. Still, there isn’t Ohio State being a 50-point favorite against Ball State, or Georgia laying 56 against Austin Peay.
So, why not start with the Lions and Commanders? Both games are at home, giving Green Bay an advantage from the rip. The Packers will have a short week after playing the Lions, getting the Commanders the following Thursday night. Green Bay doesn’t have to travel on the short week, though. Washington does.
We all knew who the opponents were. However, it got sorted out. The Packers were playing the Lions and the Commanders at some point. It just so happens there will be a big opportunity for them to make an early mark and roll some momentum and confidence into the season. Backing up Gutekunst’s statements in the offseason would be the cherry on top.