Thankfully for the Green Bay Packers and all their loyal fans, their 30-10 nightmare on Saturday night at Lambeau Field was just an exhibition, and there’s time to make corrections.
Time is of the essence, though, with roster cutdowns coming in just a few weeks. Who hurt their stock for the Packers in Saturday’s lopsided contest?
Mecole Hardman
It’s difficult to start anywhere other than wide receiver Mecole Hardman.
The veteran is in a battle to make the final 53-man roster, and his first live game action of the season wasn’t inspiring. Hardman dropped a pass early and then had two horrendous errors as a punt returner in the second quarter.
On the first punt return, Hardman backpedaled right around his own five-yard line to receive a punt. He was immediately pounced on, and the Packers were pinned deep to start the next drive.
As someone who has more than enough experience returning, Hardman knows better. However, he’s in a spot where his mindset may be that of someone trying to make a couple of splashy plays to stand out. So instead of letting the ball bounce and likely roll in the end zone for a touchback, Hardman tried taking a big swing.
It backfired.
Later in the quarter, Hardman let a punt bounce a couple of times before attempting to field it. He muffed it, and the Jets dogpiled on top of the ball inside Green Bay’s 10-yard line.
Punt return has not been a strength for Green Bay in a while. Nobody has taken the gig and displayed confidence or command, with Jayden Reed being the most recent candidate. The bar is set pretty low — at this point, the Packers would settle for competence. Packers fans don’t expect Hardman to be an All-Pro punt returner or turn into Devin Hester, but he failed to provide even the bare minimum required.
There are five locks at wide receiver in Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Matthew Golden, and Savion Williams. There’s a sixth once they take Christian Watson off the PUP list during the season. Hardman doesn’t have to light the world on fire the rest of the offseason to have a shot at making the team, but he needs to be a hell of a lot better than he was in his first audition.
Jacob Monk
There were certainly bright spots. When Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton were holding down the tackle spots, they both did their job against the Jets. According to PFF, Morgan took 36 snaps at left tackle with 23 of those coming as pass-blocking reps. He allowed zero quarterback pressures. Belton, the rookie second-rounder out of North Carolina State, took 42 snaps at right tackle. Like Morgan, Belton allowed a grand total of zero quarterback pressures.
The interior of the line was a different story. More specifically, Jacob Monk really struggled. The second-year lineman out of Duke seemed like a sure bet to make the roster entering this offseason. Green Bay loves versatility, and Monk provides it with his ability to play center or guard.
Monk was a healthy scratch most of his rookie season but was on the squad nonetheless. This year, he could be a valuable depth piece. But if he continues to trend in the direction he did against the Jets, he might be at risk of making the final 53.
Monk allowed one sack and was called for a whopping three holding penalties. You’d think that after the first two, he’d recalibrate his process, but nope.
With Travis Glover already set to miss the entire season, Monk still has a solid shot to make the team. Still, he’ll need to be a hell of a lot better in camp and in his opportunities against the Indianapolis Colts next week.
Isaiah Simmons
And, on the defensive side of the ball, Isaiah Simmons had a night to forget.
However, there was one particular play where he looked completely lost, which circulated on X and put him in a not-so-flattering spotlight. Linebackers coach Sean Duggan said on Sunday that Simmons would be the first one to say he wishes he had some plays back.
The Arizona Cardinals drafted Simmons eighth-overall in 2020. His size, freakish athleticism, and ability to play multiple positions made him a premium pick. It didn’t work out in Arizona or with the New York Giants. The Packers brought Simmons in this season and had him focus on one position: inside linebacker.
The idea of condensing things for Simmons and letting him focus on one position was a strategic choice by Green Bay. It has yet to pay off, but there’s still time. If things can slow down for Simmons and he can start to process what’s going on in front of him, there’s a role for him on this team. If he can’t, it could be a wasted roster spot.
There’s plenty to improve on before the second preseason tilt against Indianapolis. Hopefully, Hardman, Monk, and Simmons can turn a corner in the right direction.