The Green Bay Packers weren’t expected to be competitive in 2023. At least not if one believed what the national media reported about them. Jordan Love was not expected to be the finest first-year starter in team history. Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets fared far better than the Packers. Joe Douglas was a significantly more effective general manager than Brian Gutekunst.
What a difference one year makes! Love had the best debut season as a starting quarterback in franchise history. Rodgers tore his Achilles in Week 1, and the Jets’ season was a complete disaster. When the dust settled, Gutekunst proved to be a considerably better general manager than Douglas.
Most notably, Green Bay finished 9-8, claimed a wild card position in the NFL playoffs, and won a postseason game on the road against former coach Mike McCarthy’s Dallas Cowboys. That is not to imply the season went smoothly. It wasn’t, and there were enough of dips to balance the many highs.
Going ahead, the Packers proved that their decision to replace Rodgers with Love was correct. Their defence, which was uneven at best in 2023, now has a new leader in defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Players from Gutekunst’s last two draft classes have developed as key players, and the general manager believes the sky is the limit in 2024.
This week, of course, is crucial for the Packers, all other NFL teams, and players seeking to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s scouting combine week, and Gutekunst is there to study and interview athletes who the Packers could be interested in adding to their roster.
During his media availability, Gutekunst was asked if he thought the Packers might win the Super Bowl this season. “I do,” he responded.
If the Packers win the Super Bowl this year, it would extend their streak of 13 NFL championships, but it would be their first since Aaron Rodgers led the team to victory in Super Bowl XLV.
Of course, a lot has to go right for any team to reach, let alone win, the Super Bowl. The Packers, on the other hand, have clearly laid the groundwork for a championship-caliber club.
First, they have their franchise quarterback, who had a standout season in 2023 and is only going to improve. Indeed, some feel that having a good-to-great quarterback is almost essential for winning the Super Bowl.
Second, the young offence has a year of experience and will continue to develop and improve. Jayden Reed shattered the franchise rookie reception record, and the rest of the youthful wide receiver core proved to be one of the NFL’s deepest and most talented groupings.
Third, head coach Matt LaFleur decided to part ways with previous defensive coordinator Joe Barry. While how the defence performs under Jeff Hafley remains to be seen, the thought of players being able to play to their strengths rather than being forced into an archaic system raises hopes that Green Bay’s defence will be significantly improved.
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