By Julian Kranstover
Unfortunately, the 2019-2020 season for the Green Bay Packers and their fans didn’t end with the hoisting of the Lombardi Trophy. Although it was a tough loss to a dominant 49ers team, the Packers should feel good after a 13-3 regular season that saw them make it to the NFC Championship game.
With the last two years as a frame of reference, given the Packers missed the playoffs in 2018, 2019 should be seen as a successful follow-up to a forgotten 2018. With a new head coach in Matt LaFleur and new defensive weapons in Za’darius and Preston Smith, the Green Bay Packers looked like a well-oiled machine that was ready to show the football world, once again, what they are capable of.
After falling flat on their faces to the 49ers for the second time in a row, it was obvious that the Packers are still just a couple of pieces away from punching their ticket to a Super Bowl while they still have the great Aaron Rodgers. So what needs to be done this off-season?
1) Re-Sign Bryan Bulaga
Although he’ll be 31 in March and comes with an extensive injury history, there is no one on the offensive line that knows Aaron Rodgers and how he maneuvers more than Bulaga.
The combination of Bulaga and Bakhtiari on the line have proven to be elite and keep Rodgers safe in the pocket. With the franchise quarterback turning 36 in the early part of December, it’s critical to start surrounding him with elite offensive linemen that can protect him as he enters the twilight of his career.
2) Prioritize offensive weapons
It was clear at the beginning of the season that the Packers were going to rely on Devante Adams heavily after passing up on weapons such as A.J Brown, D.K. Metcalf, and Terry Mclaurin in last year’s draft.
The veteran Adams is an elite pass catcher and has proven over the years to be Rodgers’ favorite and most relied upon receiving option. Although he plays at a high level, finishing 2019 with 997 receiving yards in just 12 games played, he can’t remain the only weapon on the Packers offense.
The addition of veteran pass-catchers such as Emmanuel Sanders or A.J Green would be a step up for Rodgers, as well as for the younger group of receivers such as Allen Lazard and Jake Kumerow that would be able to learn from a veteran receiver.
Not only do the wideouts need to be upgraded, but the Tight End position as well. With the Packers looking to release Jimmy Graham from his $8 million contract to create more cap space, don’t be shocked if the Packers look to draft a new Tight End or bring in a veteran one that can mesh well with the offense.
Jace Sternberger, the 75th overall pick by the Packers from Texas A&M, will most likely be making more appearances and taking on a bigger role in the offense as well.
3) Fix the run defense
One of the biggest problems with the Packers throughout the season was their inability to stop the run game, especially when it mattered the most.
The rush defense for the Packers finished 17th according to NFL.com’s statistics. They allowed an average of 112 rushing yards-per-game. In the NFC championship game. where the Packers played the 49ers, Raheem Mostert and the rest of the offense averaged 6.8 yards per carry.
After watching a game that was similar to the regular-season game that was played in week 12, it appears that Kenny Clark at the nose tackle will need some much-needed help.
Considering Blake Martinez will most likely become a free agent due to his increased market value, it should be a precedent for the Packers to hit the market for a Linebacker that can help stop the run.
4) Draft/Sign a Quarterback
Unfortunately, father time is catching up to Aaron Rodgers and it may be time to start looking at the possibility of bringing in a young QB that can learn from him – just as Rodgers did with Brett Favre before taking over the starting job for the 2008 season.
Although the 2020 draft class is not one with exciting QB’s – besides Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa – it does have the possibility of letting a proven QB drop further than anticipated. Players such as Jake Fromm from Georgia and Jalen Hurts from Oklahoma could see significant drops in the draft, creating a great opportunity for the Packers to use a pick in selecting a promising player.
The Packers have not drafted a quarterback since 2015 when they took Brett Hundley, and have not drafted high for a QB since 2008 when they selected Brian Brohm out of Louisville.
Having said that, Green Bay isn’t limited to the draft in their QB search. The organization can explore free agency for the possibility of bringing in an established veteran such as former Heisman winner Marcus Mariotta or Teddy Bridgewater, with both expected to become free agents and test their value.
While there are some missing pieces to Green Bay’s puzzle, they’re closer now than they were a year ago to bring another Super Bowl championship back to Title Town.
