The end of the Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay could not have gone any better for the Packers in 2023.
Despite saying goodbye to the team’s franchise quarterback of the last decade, the Packers made it back to the postseason in 2023 with the league’s youngest roster and were a quarter away from a date in the NFC Championship Game.
As they prepare for a new season firmly on other teams’ radars, there are still many things the Packers need to figure out heading into 2024.
Unanswered Questions Ahead of Green Bay Packers Training Camp
As with any contending team, the Packers entered the 2024 offseason with heightened expectations, thanks in large part to a quarterback who is on the precipice of superstardom.
The difference for Green Bay is that it will no longer be able to sneak up on teams as a young unit. After their run in the NFC playoffs last season, the Packers are considered to be one of the NFC contenders in 2024.
Before the games begin, though, the Packers do still have plenty of questions to answer heading into training camp. Today, we break those questions down.
What Does Josh Jacobs Bring to the Offense?
Josh Jacobs or Aaron Jones?
Green Bay answered the question of who they prefer more when they signed the former Raiders star to a four-year, $48 million contract and released Jones in response.
Jacobs averaged fewer yards per carry in 2023 than any other season in his NFL career. But he led the league in rushing just two years ago. He’s more of a powerful back than Jones was in Green Bay and could be another quality rusher to go along with A.J. Dillon entering the 2024 season.
Jacobs will be interesting to watch with how he reacts after getting the deal he’s been pushing for over the last few years.
What is the Wide Receiver Pecking Order?
The Packers are one of the few teams without a true No. 1 wide receiver on their roster. They do, however, have a boatload of quality wideouts that would start on almost every other team in the league.
Whether it’s Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, or Dontayvion Wicks, the Packers have a deep core of wideouts that cause plenty of problems as a collective.
The lone question regarding this core is the exact pecking order. Who is their top receiving option? That will be decided over the next month of work.
What Does Former BC Head Coach Jeff Hafley’s Defense Look Like?
Joe Barry is no longer the Packers’ defensive coordinator. Packers fans’ love-hate relationship with their old coordinator could pale in comparison to the new coordinator.
Jeff Hafley joins the Packers after a strong four-year run with Boston College and their talented defensive unit as the school’s head coach.
Now jumping to the NFL, Hafley is under pressure to field a competitive defensive unit with talented superstars and young rookies at key roles.
As things stand right now, the Packers are ready to start two rookies on defense in safety Javon Bullard and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. Joining the rookies are veteran newcomer Xavier McKinney, an All-Pro cornerback in Jaire Alexander, and a plethora of defensive linemen who can get after the quarterback.
In total, a lot to work with for Hafley.
How the defense operates early in camp could be an early sign of how good this group can be in 2024.
Can Jordan Love Take Aaron Rodgers-Level Step to Stardom?
Following his three-year run as a backup to Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers missed the playoffs his first season, but just two years later was hoisting a Lombardi Trophy.
It may take Love a shorter amount of time to do that for the Packers.
After being a backup for his first three seasons, Love was able to lead Green Bay to the playoffs and an impressive road playoff win in 2023 over the Dallas Cowboys. After a slow start to the season, Love threw 18 touchdowns and just one interception while completing 70.3% of his passes over the final six weeks of 2023.
If Love is able to continue that level of success, the Packers will not only be able to stay in contention in an open NFC, but he could shoot up boards as the best quarterback in the conference.
Much like his predecessor before him.
Will Jordan Love Get Extended Before Week 1?
While Love’s on-field progress will be very important as he continuously grows as the team’s face of the franchise, his off-field contract discussions are a quiet point of emphasis.
The Packers have consistently said they are looking to pay Love the kind of deal worthy of a rising star in the league ahead of camp, but they have yet to agree to terms on a contract.
There’s little doubt that the two sides will be able to come to an agreement, but there’s at least a major question surrounding how the Packers will handle this negotiation with other quarterbacks looking for new deals as well.
Getting a deal done before Dak Prescott and others could certainly save Green Bay a few million dollars, as well.
