Just 100 days from now, the Green Bay Packers (and the rest of the NFL) will take the field for next season. To celebrate, ESPN’s Ben Solak produced a list of 100 observations, tidbits and prognostications. The Packers found themselves included in the category of “10 bold predictions,” and not in a good way. Is there realistic grounds for concern that they could miss the playoffs?
The Green Bay Packers Have 2 Crucial Weaknesses
In the Matt LaFleur era, the Packers have made the postseason in five of six years, including the past two seasons. While they have not actually won a playoff game since 2020, getting there has not been the problem. Solak thinks that could change next season.
He does preface his comments with an important caveat, characterizing these predictions as ones “you shouldn’t aggregate.” Solak advises against screenshots due to the risk of spontaneous device immolation. It is with no small unease that this aggregator has failed to heed his advice.
Down to business, Solak highlights a pair of fundamental personnel flaws, as well as the potential for negative regression in turnover margin, that he fears could doom the Packers.
I think two of the biggest nonnegotiables for playoff teams are having a pass rush and a dominant receiver. The Packers definitely don’t have the first and still might not have the second, even after drafting Matthew Golden in Round 1. They were plus-12 in turnover differential last season, which ranked third in the NFL, but that tends not to be a sticky number.
Whether one agrees with his premise about playoff teams – and absent an elite quarterback, it is very hard not to – it is difficult to argue that the Packers will rank high in either trait. While the roster is still strong overall, Green Bay’s lack of offseason aggression, in free agency or in the trade market, has left them in a legitimately precarious position if even a few things go wrong.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) leaves the field on a cart after getting injured against the Chicago Bears in the second quarter during their football game Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Young Roster Must Rely on Internal Development
Although Golden may or may not have wide-receiver-one potential, it would be unrealistic to anticipate him filling that role as a rookie. Jayden Reed, who led the team in receptions and yards last season, is, right now, a solid number two forced to be the top option. Christian Watson is set to miss part of the season recovering from a knee injury.
Led by Reed and hopefully Golden, the Packers may very well have a functional receiving corps without a true number one, but they have certainly left themselves vulnerable to injury and/or underperformance.
Neither did the front office do much to address the pass rush, aside from drafting Barryn Sorrell 124th overall. Rashan Gary is a decent, if overpaid weapon at defensive end, and Edgerrin Cooper, mentioned in Solak’s article as a top 10 player to watch, will supply much needed pressure from the linebacker spot, but the Packers still lack a certified game-wrecker off the edge. After the Eagles’ Super Bowl dominance clearly demonstrated the benefits of a ferocious pass rush, Green Bay did nothing to bolster their own troops.
Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers
Oct 13, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary (52) during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Still, especially if Cooper takes another step, the Packers should have enough of a rush to remain in the middle of the pack or slightly above average. It is just unlikely to be a top-ranked unit, which perhaps caps their ceiling more than it limits their floor. That said, what projects to be a tough 2025 schedule should keep their error margin slim.
Green Bay Packers, Packers 2025
Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) is unable to make a reception during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via Imagn Images
The bottom line is that this team will have to rely on internal growth from guys like Golden, Cooper and quarterback Jordan Love in order to improve on last season’s finish. If that doesn’t happen, the roster is thin enough that something as mundane as turnover variance or schedule difficulty could make Solak’s prediction come true.
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