An optimist's guide to the 2024 Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers were perhaps a bit ahead of schedule in 2023, surpassing the expectations of many after a 9-8 finish and a trip to the divisional round of the playoffs. Now, ahead of a new season, the franchise's goals are even loftier.

Here are three reasons to be optimistic about the Packers in 2024.

1. Jordan Love 

Love shined in his first season as the Packers starter, finishing second in the NFL with 32 touchdown passes while nearly leading Green Bay to the NFC Championship Game. Meanwhile, there's reason to believe that 2023 was merely an appetizer of what the 25-year-old signal-caller is capable of.

After completing 59.6 percent of his passes (1,720 yards) with 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions over his first eight starts, Love was arguably the league's breakout player as the season progressed. Through the next nine games, he recorded 20 touchdowns with just three interceptions while completing 68 percent of his passes for 2,429 yards.

Another year with Love at the helm, surrounded by familiar weapons, sounds like a recipe for a successful season. Likewise, during voluntary OTAs, he sounded excited about the team's continuity, adding that the offense has built "so much chemistry," which should carry into 2024. 

2. A healthy Christian Watson and Jaire Alexander

Following an outstanding rookie campaign, Watson was limited to only nine games in 2023 with a hamstring injury. But after struggling to recover during the season, the 25-year-old has been focused on adding strength, recently saying that he feels "really, really good."

Meanwhile, Alexander played in only seven games last season due to a suspension and a shoulder injury. Not only is his injury fully healed, but the two-time Pro Bowler is also in a better place after finding himself at odds with many on the team's staff. During the voluntary OTAs, Alexander said he was motivated and ready to "do what's best for the team." 

If the Packers can count on a healthy Watson and a reenergized Alexander, that's two enormous additions to an already budding group. 

3. An aggressive defensive scheme

After failing to find consistency under defensive coordinator Joe Barry, the Packers turned to ex-Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley to turn the unit around. While they've yet to play a game in the new scheme, the early returns are promising. 

Under Barry, some on the players felt they did more reading than reacting, putting them at a decided disadvantage. Now aiming to play a more attacking style, switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense, Packers players are excited, including Kenny Clark, who admired Hafley's system from afar.

"I always wondered what it was like, but now that I'm in it, I see how they made so many TFLs," Clark told Rob Demovsky of ESPN. "It all makes sense."