Green Bay Packers Offseason Progress Report
Can the Packers break through a crowd at the top of the NFC North?
Overview
2024 Record: 11-6
General Manager: Brian Gutekunst
Head Coach: Matt LaFleur
Starting Quarterback: Jordan Love
Key Extensions:
OT Zach Tom (4 years, $88 million, $30.2 million guaranteed)
Key Additions:
EDGE Micah Parsons, iOL Aaron Banks, DB Nate Hobbs, WR Matthew Golden, OT Anthony Belton, WR Savion Williams
Key Departures:
DB Jaire Alexander, DB Eric Stokes, RB AJ Dillon, iOL Josh Myers, DL Kenny Clark
Offense
Offensive Coordinator: Adam Stenavich (Matt LaFleur calls plays)
2024 Ranks:
EPA/play: 8th Success Rate: 13th PPG: 8th (27.1ppg)
Projected Starting Offense (11 personnel):
QB Jordan Love
RB Josh Jacobs
WR Romeo Doubs
WR Jayden Reed
WR Matthew Golden
TE Tucker Kraft
LT Rasheed Walker
LG Aaron Banks
C Elgton Jenkins
RG Sean Rhyan
RT Zach Tom
Offense Notes:
After a blistering end to the 2023 campaign, Jordan Love cooled off quite a bit in 2024. While injuries and missing time were partially culpable, Love still didn’t hit the highs of the previous season. Still, the Packers offense was mostly lights-out, socring less than 20 points on only two regular season occasions.
Green Bay prioritized offensive improvement for 2025, doing the unthinkable and drafting a first-round wide receiver for the first time since I was in elementary school. Doubling up on receiver and offensive line in the draft, as well as signing Aaron Banks from the 49ers, indicates that the Packers want to be even better on the offensive front, something that held them back toward the end of the season. It’s fair to expect Matt LaFleur will put together another strong unit in 2025.
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Hafley
2024 Ranks:
EPA/play: 5th Success Rate: 21st PPG: 6th (19.9ppg allowed)
Projected Starting Defense (Base 4-2):
DE Rashan Gary
DT Karl Brooks
DT Devonte Wyatt
DE Micah Parsons
LB Quay Walker
LB Edgerrin Cooper
CB Nate Hobbs
CB Keisean Nixon
NB Javon Bullard
S Xavier McKinney
S Evan Williams
Defense Notes:
Following 2023, the Packers made it their mission to inject life into a talented but underperforming defense. Largely, their mission was accomplished. Green Bay hit Top 10 marks in EPA/play allowed and points per game allowed, and were also magnificent at generating turnovers. Of all 17 games that the Packers played, only three were contests without a takeaway, and only six yielded one takeaway or fewer. The defensive turnaround they hoped for was real.
It’s hard to imagine the defense falling off in 2025. A full year with coordinator Jeff Hafley should let the newcomers get up to speed. There aren’t many new faces on the defensive side that project to get major playing time, but new DB Nate Hobbs should help the back end after losing Jaire Alexander to Baltimore. If the defense makes strides, this could be a dangerous group this season.
Outlook
Overall, despite a shorter playoff run last season, there’s a lot of room for optimism in 2025. Improved offensive infrastructure and another year in Hafley’s defensive system should lead to even more wins next season, but there are some nagging questions about last year, particularly in the division.
Green Bay ended last season with a 1-5 division record, with the lone win requiring a fourth-quarter comeback against the ailing Chicago Bears. With both the Lions and Vikings improving their rosters, and the Bears hoping to grow with a new staff, where will the Packers stand in the NFC North next season?
On paper, this team is good enough to be able to compete for the division. If the Packers flip two of the five division losses last year, we could be talking about different standings heading into 2025. Getting that record back to the status quo should be the goal for this season.
Expectation/Goal for 2025: Compete for NFC North, Wild Card
2025 Schedule
Primetime games are BOLDED, all times EDT/EST
*Week 13 game vs. Detroit is on Thanksgiving*