Green Bay Packers 2024 Preview

The Green Bay Packers enter the 2024 season with high hopes after a successful 2023 campaign that saw them make the playoffs under new quarterback Jordan Love.

With a win total over/under set at 9.5, the Packers are poised to remain competitive in a tough NFC North.

Let’s dive into what to expect from the Packers this season.

Key Insights and Team Overview

The Packers are a team in transition, yet they continue to find success. After the departure of Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love stepped up and delivered an impressive first season as the starter. Now, Green Bay is looking to build on that momentum with a youthful roster filled with potential. The defense, while solid, has areas that need improvement if the Packers are to be serious contenders in 2024.

Offensive Youth Movement

Jordan Love’s Promising Start:

Impressive First Season: In his first year as the starting quarterback, Jordan Love exceeded expectations with 32 touchdowns (second most in the NFL) and only 11 interceptions, leading the Packers to a playoff berth. Love’s ability to stay calm under pressure and deliver in key moments has Packers fans excited about the future.
Young Receiving Corps: The Packers’ top five receivers in 2023 were all in their first or second year, yet they produced impressive numbers:
- Romeo Doubs: The top target, Doubs hauled in over 670 yards and 8 touchdowns in his second season.
- Jaden Reed: The rookie was second in targets and led the team in receiving yards, finishing with over 700 yards and 6 touchdowns.
- Davonte Wicks and Christian Watson: Both young receivers contributed significantly, with Wicks recording over 580 yards and 4 touchdowns, and Watson adding 420 yards in just nine games.

Offensive Line Adjustments:

Protecting the Franchise: The Packers’ offensive line was one of the best in the league last season, allowing just 30 sacks, the third fewest in the NFL. However, the departure of veteran left tackle David Bakhtiari, who was injured most of last season, led Green Bay to draft Jordan Morgan, a versatile lineman who could play either guard or tackle.
Youth in the Trenches: With Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom, both in their third years, holding down the tackle spots, and a young interior line, the Packers are banking on continued growth and development from their linemen.

Backfield Depth:

Josh Jacobs Joins the Fold: The Packers brought in Josh Jacobs, who had a down year with the Raiders, averaging only 3.5 yards per carry. However, behind Green Bay’s strong offensive line, Jacobs could see a resurgence and provide a solid complement to Aaron Jones, who, despite injuries, remained a key playmaker in 2023.

Defensive Stability with Room for Growth

Pass Rush and Front Seven:

Anchored by Kenny Clark: Kenny Clark continues to be the heart of the Packers’ defensive line, coming off a season where he recorded 7.5 sacks. Rashan Gary and Preston Smith provide additional pressure from the edge, with Gary leading the team with 9 sacks last season.
Youthful Additions: The Packers are hoping for a breakout year from second-year defensive end Devonte Wyatt and rookie Luke Van Ness, who combined for nine sacks last season. The addition of Edgerrin Cooper, a highly touted linebacker from this year’s draft, should also bolster the linebacking corps.

Secondary Overhaul:

New Safeties: The Packers made significant changes at safety, bringing in Xavier McKinney, who held quarterbacks to a sub-70 passer rating last season, and drafting Javon Bullard, a versatile safety who could also play nickel. These moves were necessary after the departures of Darnell Savage and Jonathan Owens, both of whom struggled in 2023.
Cornerback Bounce-Back: The cornerback trio of Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and Keisean Nixon had a tough 2023, with all three allowing passer ratings over 100 when targeted. However, Alexander and Stokes missed significant time due to injuries, and a return to form for these two could drastically improve the Packers’ pass defense.

Season Outlook

The Packers have a wide range of potential outcomes in 2024, reflecting both the promise of their young roster and the challenges of a competitive NFC North. Their win total floor and ceiling offer insight into what fans can expect:

Win Total Floor: 7 Wins

Why? If the young receivers struggle with consistency and the defense fails to improve, the Packers could find themselves in the middle of the pack, especially given their challenging schedule.

Win Total Ceiling: 12 Wins

Why? If Jordan Love continues to develop and the new additions on defense make an impact, the Packers have the talent to win the NFC North and push for 12 wins. A healthy secondary and a rejuvenated pass rush would be key to reaching this ceiling.

Final Thoughts

The Green Bay Packers are a team in transition, but with Jordan Love leading a young and talented roster, they have the potential to surprise in 2024. The offense has the pieces to be explosive, and the defense, while needing improvement, has the talent to keep the Packers competitive in every game. The key will be how quickly the young players develop and how well the team navigates a tough schedule.

Key Points Recap

Jordan Love exceeded expectations in his first year as a starter, leading the Packers to the playoffs with 32 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions.
The Packers’ receiving corps is extremely young, with all top targets in their first or second year, but they produced impressive numbers in 2023.
The offensive line remains a strength, with just one new addition, first-round pick Jordan Morgan, expected to slot in at either tackle or guard.
The defense has seen key changes, particularly at safety, where Xavier McKinney and rookie Javon Bullard are expected to make an immediate impact.
The Packers have a wide range of outcomes, with a win total floor of 7 wins and a ceiling of 12 wins.

Packers fans, the future is now. With Jordan Love at the helm and a young, talented roster, Green Bay is ready to compete in the NFC North and beyond. Expect a season full of excitement and potential as the Packers continue their transition into a new era.

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