This is the time of year that writers are looking for anything to write about their favorite NFL teams. So today, we get to be Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. We do our best to predict what the Green Bay Packers offense might look like to start the 2023 NFL season.
Predicting Every Starting Position on the Green Bay Packers Offense
The youth movement on the Green Bay Packers offense has begun. Veterans such as Aaron Rodgers, Robert Tonyan, and Marcedes Lewis have moved on. Now it’s time to see how well general manager Brian Gutekunst has done in replenishing the talent on the offensive side of the ball.
Even with key veteran offensive players leaving, most of our predictions won’t come as a surprise. With the trade of Rodgers to the New York Jets, the shift in roster building for Gutekunst became obvious. But still, we might have a prediction or two that might surprise Packers fans.
Quarterback
Jordan Love
Let the Jordan Love era begin. There is no doubt that Gutekunst thought the Love era would have started earlier. But Rodgers threw a wrench into those plans by winning back-to-back NFL MVP awards. While it didn’t happen on the expected timeline, we are just a couple of months away from seeing Love as the Packers starting quarterback.
Jordan Love is going to shock the world #GoPackGo #NFLtwitter
pic.twitter.com/8tufPAWW5Y https://t.co/ugNtvI3k5f— Rip Wheeler (@Gambling400) July 11, 2023
Running Back
Aaron Jones
If not for a reworked contract, there was a strong possibility that AJ Dillon would be the starting running back for the Packers. But luckily for the Packers, Jones reworked his deal and guaranteed his return for the 2023 season.
Having Jones back is a big plus for the Green Bay Packers offense. Not only does it mean they will have their best home run threat out of the backfield, but one of their biggest weapons overall on offense. The Packers will lean heavily on Jones this season as Love adjusts to starting in the NFL. But expect to see a lot of Dillon. If this is the final season of the Aaron Jones Era, they need to see if Dillon is truly the heir apparent.
Wide Receivers
Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Jayden Reed
The Packers wide receivers group is the biggest example of the youth movement for the Packers. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, entering their second seasons, will be asked to be the leaders of the wide receivers group. It is expected that Doubs will be the steady presence for Love, while Watson will be the playmaker of the group.
Much was written about second-year wide receiver Samori Toure during this year’s minicamp. He added eight pounds of muscle and looked solid this spring. While Toure should be a factor in the Green Bay Packers offense in 2023, we don’t think he will be Packers starting slot receiver.
The Packers spent a second-round pick on wide receiver Jayden Reed. Reed displayed big play ability, not only in the slot but on the outside, at Michigan State. That ability, even as a rookie, is too much to have sitting on the bench. Watson, Doubs, and Reed are the future at the wide receiver position. The best thing for LaFleur to do is let them play and gain experience.
Tight End
Luke Musgrave
If the wide receiver position is the most glaring example of the Packers youth movement, then the tight end position is right below it. The Packers lost their top two tight ends this spring (Tonyan to the Chicago Bears while Lewis is still a free agent). Gutekunst spent two high draft picks on Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft to replenish the position.
While at South Dakota State, Kraft was not only a solid blocker but was a reliable pass catcher. He should see quite a bit of time for the Packers in 2023. But Musgrave appears to be the type of explosive tight end the Packers have been looking for since Jermichael Finley. He displayed speed and good hands in minicamp. Similar to Reed, the best plan for Musgrave is to let him learn the position as he plays.
Offensive Line
David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Zach Tom, Jon Ruyan Jr., and Yosh Nijman
Having David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins fully healthy will be a huge asset for the Green Bay Packers offense. When healthy, Bakhtiari and Jenkins make up one of the best left tackle-left guard combinations in the NFL. Both are experienced veterans who should make Love’s job a lot easier.
Expectations are high for Yosh Nijman. Some believe that Nijman could be a very capable NFL tackle. But this season, with Marcedes Lewis not there to help him, Nijman will have to show he is capable of being a starting-caliber tackle. Runyan Jr. isn’t flashy, but he is solid. He will help be an asset next to Nijman.
Now, to the biggest surprise of our predictions. If the Packers truly want to get their best offensive linemen on the field, then they have to find a place for Zach Tom. To us, the most obvious position to fit him in is at the center position. Josh Myers has been the Packers starting center for the past two seasons. As a second-round pick, expectations have been high for Myers. Unfortunately, he hasn’t met those expectations.
Last season, Myers struggled. The Packers don’t have the luxury of dealing with another down season from him. Love needs to have a capable starting center, something we feel they wouldn’t get from Myers. Tom played center at Wake Forest and thrived at it. He should be an upgrade over Myers.
Main Photo: Mark Hoffman – USA Today Sports
