The 2024 Green Bay Packers could never shake the narrative that they could kick around lesser opponents but were outclassed by the upper-tier teams in the league. They only reinforced that idea when they got opportunities to prove that wrong.
The Packers went a combined 0-6 against the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Philadelphia Eagles. It just so happens those were the three teams in the NFC with the best records.
Minnesota had a tremendous 2024 season, but there’s no doubt that the Lions and Eagles were the best in the conference. And neither appears to be going anywhere for the foreseeable future. Any regression Detroit may have in 2025 will likely come from losing offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to head coaching jobs. Meanwhile, the Eagles just seem like a renewable resource.
Did the Packers draft help close the gap on the likes of the Lions and Eagles?
Green Bay’s issues down the stretch were glaring. The Packers struggled to open up the passing game on offense, and the defense’s inability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks was a constant headache.
Against the Eagles in the playoffs, the Packers scored 10 total points, struggled to find a rhythm throwing the ball, and turned it over four times. On top of that, left guard Elgton Jenkins exited early with an injury, and the replacement options in Travis Glover and Kadeem Telfort transformed into turnstiles.
Getting to the level of the Lions and Eagles will require Green Bay to pack more punch in the passing game. Acquiring Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden and TCU wide receiver Savion Williams in the first and third rounds won’t hurt.
Golden has blazing 4.29 speed, and it’ll be fascinating early on to see if teams try press-covering him. If he can crack the code, defenses must pick their poison with Golden.
Meanwhile, Williams is the ultimate toy for LaFleur. In 2024 at TCU, Williams had 60 receptions and 51 rushes. He tallied six receiving and six rushing touchdowns. He will be used in the passing game, of course, but it’s how he can be used that will open up the playbook.
It’s impossible to give your quarterback too many weapons. It’s also true that this was a clear area of need, given Green Bay’s struggle in the playoffs against Philadelphia and down the stretch in general.
The Packers had a solid offensive line in 2024. However, when Jenkins exited early against the Eagles, the gap between him and the next left guard in line was painfully obvious. Green Bay first tried Glover. After a couple of penalties and generally ineffective play, they shifted to Telfort, without much better results.
Getting Aaron Banks in the offseason helped bolster the line, and second-rounder Anthony Belton will reinforce that group’s depth at an absolute minimum in 2025. Belton played left tackle at North Carolina State as a three-year starter but projects to be a tackle or guard in the NFL.
Green Bay has always shown initiative in investing in the offensive line. Having options is essential with Detroit and Philadelphia’s pass rushes.
Last up is the pass rush.
Jeff Hafley’s defense had only three sacks combined in two games against the Vikings and two against the Lions last year. The quarterback pressure metrics in those games weren’t impressive, either.
The Packers didn’t take anyone up front on the defensive side until they selected Texas edge rusher Barryn Sorrell in the fourth round. They followed that up by taking Oklahoma State linebacker Collin Oliver in the fifth round.
Detroit has a really good offensive line. Philadelphia’s might be even better.
General manager Brian Gutekunst opted not to address the defensive front in free agency. Instead, Gutekunst has said all off-season that he believes the Packers have the pieces up front and he expects a big jump from Lukas Van Ness, in particular.
Firing Jason Rebrovich and hiring DeMarcus Covington as the new defensive line coach was the one thing the Packers did this offseason to shake things up in that department. Therefore, expectations for Covington are high.
Green Bay felt close last year against the best of the best in the NFC, but they could never get over the hump. On paper, they’ve added pieces to help re-open the passing game. They also used a high pick to help protect Love, or at least, give themselves an injury insurance policy.
Whether by design or not, Green Bay attacked the draft and got players that should help in notably lacking areas against Detroit and Philadelphia. The biggest question that remains is the pass rush.
What the Packers did in the draft may have narrowed the gap a bit, but is it enough? That will require some internal growth in addition to the influx of new talent.