The Green Bay Packers were one of the National Football League’s top franchises in the 2010s. They brought the Vince Lombardi Trophy home in the 2010 season and continued to be one the crown jewel of the NFC. Their 102-56-2 record in the 2010s is second in the NFL during that time only to the New England Patriots. Throughout the decade, there are have been some positions that have been held constant (Quarterback, Right Tackle, Kicker). But, there have also been some that have seemed to change year-to-year (Tight End, Running Back, Nose Tackle). So now the question is, who was the best at each position for the Green Bay Packers from 2010-2019?
Green Bay Packers 2010s All-Decade Team
Offense
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers (2010-Present)
Is there any other choice? Rodgers was part of the NFL’s All-Decade Team and was consistently one of the top two or three quarterbacks in the entire league. He guided the Packers to a Super Bowl trophy, a 15-1 season, and four NFC Championship games. Along the way, he made some unearthly throws and took home two Most Valuable Player awards and a Super Bowl MVP award. He was the best Packer during the decade and the easy choice for the Quarterback position.
Running Back: Eddie Lacy (2013-2016)
Running back was an inconsistency for the Packers during the 2010s, with six different guys holding the starting job. Aaron Jones could have been an option here, but Lacy was there longer and at his peak was a smidge better. From 2013-2015, Lacy was one of the best running backs in football. He had at least 750 rushing yards every season during that span and made the Pro Bowl in 2013. After an injury-plagued 2016, Lacy would end up leaving Green Bay. But it was soon learned that he was perfect for the Packers, as he really only found success in green and yellow.
Wide Receivers: Jordy Nelson (2010-2017), Randall Cobb (2011-2018), Davante Adams (2014-Present)
Even though Nelson only made one Pro Bowl, he was the best Packers wide receiver of the decade. He won the Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2016 after recording 97 receptions for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was Aaron Rodgers go-to target throughout the 2010s.
Randall Cobb was never the number one option in Green Bay, but that didn’t stop him from making an impact. He was part of many great plays for the Packers during the decade: a 108-yard return touchdown in 2011, the game-winning touchdown in the “4th and 8” game, and the go-ahead touchdown in the Packers comeback against the Bears in 2018. Cobb always seemed to make the big play at the perfect moment. The lights were never too big for him.
He may not have made the biggest impact among Packer receivers, but Davante Adams may have been the most talented receiver the Packers had during the 2010s. His ability to get open, his pure route-running, and his great hands have made him one of the top receivers in the game over the past three seasons. He has emerged as Aaron Rodgers go-to target over the past three seasons, and that is without a legit number two behind him.
Tight End: Jermichael Finley (2010-2013)
The Packers never had a tight end that struck fear into opposing defenses at any point during the 2010s. They seemed to obsess over signing aging tight ends who were shells of their former selves by the time they got to Green Bay (Martellus Bennett, Jimmy Graham). Finley was consistent for Green Bay, a guy who could catch balls and move the chains or block and move the ball on the ground. Though he was never elite, Finley was just fine for Green Bay.
Left Tackle: David Bakhtiari (2013-Present)
Ever since Bakhtiari entered the league as a rookie in 2013, he has been one of the best left tackles in the game. He has made two Pro Bowls and one First-Team All-Pro. He rarely gets called for penalties and doesn’t get put on his ass very often either.
Left Guard: Josh Sitton (2010-2015)
Technically, Sitton played right guard for his first couple seasons of the decade, but switched to left guard in 2013. Sitton made three Pro Bowls during this decade, and held down the guard slot for the Pack. A case can be made for Lane Taylor, who took over after Sitton left for the Bears. However, Sitton was a better player and played for longer.
Center: Corey Linsley (2014-Present)
After jumping around with three different centers from 2010-2013, the Packers stole Linsley in the fifth round of the draft. He made an immediate impact on the offensive line, and is regarded as a top center in the game.
Right Guard: T.J. Lang (2010-2016)
Lang was one of the better guards in the game during his tenure in Green Bay. He didn’t start as a rookie in 2010, but took over the starting guard job in 2011, and didn’t relinquish it until he left in free agency following the 2016 season. He made one Pro Bowl in 2016 and was a quality guard that wouldn’t take plays off.
Right Tackle: Bryan Bulaga (2010-2019)
The Packers used their first-round pick on Bulaga in the 2010 draft, and he hasn’t disappointed. He has held down the position for Green Bay for the entirety of the decade, despite his health concerns. Unfortunately, he will not be there for the next chapter of Green Bay football after signing with the Los Angeles Chargers after the 2019 season. But, the Packers sure did get a lot from him.
Defense
Defensive Ends: Mike Daniels (2014-2018), Dean Lowry (2016-2019)
Daniels was one of the best defensive lineman in the game while in Green Bay, and was also one of the most feared. He could help stop the run but also apply pass rush, whether off the edge or using his strength to go right through the interior offensive line.
Lowry was never regarded as an elite lineman, but he could get the job done. He was much better when opposite a star, which he has been majority of his time in Green Bay. Ryan Pickett could have been the choice here, but Pickett was aging by the time the 2010s rolled around.
Nose Tackle: B.J. Raji (2010-2013, 2015)
Though he is known for his belly shimmy in the 2010 NFC Championship, Raji was a lot more than just belly fat. It took multiple offensive lineman to guard him, or else he would wreak havoc on the interior line. He also could make big plays for a big man, as he scored a touchdown in the 2010 NFC Championship, and then did that infamous shimmy.
Outside Linebackers: Clay Matthews (2010-2018), Nick Perry (2012-2018)
Matthews was one of the best outside linebackers in the league during the 2010s. He narrowly missed out on a Defensive Player of the Year in 2010, a year in which he just seemed to be everywhere on the field. He became the Packers all-time sack leader during this decade and helped Green Bay be one of the best teams in the game during the 2010s
Perry was a role player for some of his time in Green Bay but blossomed into a nice pass rush partner to Matthews by the time 2015 rolled around. Not only could he apply rush off the edge, but he also was a very good cover linebacker, and could match up with the opposing team’s tight end and do just fine.
Inside Linebackers: A.J. Hawk (2010-2014), Blake Martinez (2016-2019)
Hawk was the overlooked member of the early 2010s Packers defense. He anchored the middle of the field and was a huge part in run and pass defense. No matter what he was asked to do, Hawk did it with what seemed like ease. Without him, the Packers don’t win Super Bowl XLV.
Martinez was simply put, a tackling machine. He has been consistently atop the stat charts when it comes to tackles since the Packers used a fourth-round pick on him in the 2016 Draft. He may not get many sacks, but he also can pick the ball off. Martinez has been a huge part of the defenses for the Packers during his tenure there.
Cornerbacks: Charles Woodson (2010-2012), Sam Shields (2010-2016)
Rarely do you see someone who spent just three years with a team make their all-decade team, but Woodson made a hell of an impact. He was a huge part of the championship run in 2010 and helped the Packers go 15-1 in 2011. He made a Pro Bowl in 2010 and 2011 and was a First Team All-Pro in 2011. For the first couple of years in the 2010s, there was nobody better than Woodson.
Shields was an alternate for Green Bay until 2012, when he took over for Charles Woodson, and he flourished. He made a Pro Bowl in 2014 and consistently was able to neutralize his half of the field. Tramon Williams was a compelling option here since he has spent the entire decade with Green Bay. And though his loyalty is noted, he was rarely the top corner on his own team so he can’t make the all-decade team.
Free Safety: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (2014-2017)
Clinton-Dix was well worth the first-round pick used on him. He never seemed to miss a snap and was always one of the best safeties in the NFC. He could hit you, but he was more known for his ability to read the quarterback’s eyes. Reading their eyes, he could tell where the ball was going to be thrown and then made the move on it. Also, he was great in his ability to use his body to help pick off opposing quarterbacks.
Strong Safety: Morgan Burnett (2011-2017)
Burnett was the perfect partner to Clinton-Dix. He started his time as a free safety but switched to strong safety, which shows his versatility. The Packers used that versatility to help them win games, as Burnett would do anything. Blitz the quarterback, man up on the tight end, or roam the back end of the defense, Burnett could do it all.
Special Teams
Kicker: Mason Crosby (2010-Present)
Crosby spent the entire decade at Lambeau Field and was always among the leader leaders among kickers. Crosby could nail the extra point almost at a 100 percent rate. But more importantly, he could come up in the clutch. In the 2016 Divisional Round versus the Cowboys, Crosby made two go-ahead field goals in the final three minutes. Crosby delivered for Green Bay, time and time again.
Punter: Tim Masthay (2010-2015)
Mathsay held down the fort for Green Bay and was an important part of a top-notch special teams unit. Mathsay averaged over 43 yards per punt every year while in Green Bay.
Coach: Mike McCarthy (2010-2018)
McCarthy had an 87-51-2 record while in Green Bay, which translates to a .630 winning percentage. McCarthy guided Green Bay to a Super Bowl championship, five division titles, and seven playoff berths and winning seasons. Though his tenure in Green Bay ended badly, McCarthy had a successful tenure in Green Bay. He was a huge reason for the Packers being the crown jewel of the NFC.
