ESPN Analyst Floats Bold Green Bay Packers Take for ’25: 'Will Miss the Playoffs'

Just 100 days from now, the Green Bay Packers (and the rest of the NFL) will take the field for next season. To celebrate, ESPN’s Ben Solak produced a list of 100 observations, tidbits and prognostications. The Packers found themselves included in the category of “10 bold predictions,” and not in a good way. Is there realistic grounds for concern that they could miss the playoffs?

The Green Bay Packers Have 2 Crucial Weaknesses

In the Matt LaFleur era, the Packers have made the postseason in five of six years, including the past two seasons. While they have not actually won a playoff game since 2020, getting there has not been the problem. Solak thinks that could change next season.

He does preface his comments with an important caveat, characterizing these predictions as ones “you shouldn’t aggregate.” Solak advises against screenshots due to the risk of spontaneous device immolation. It is with no small unease that this aggregator has failed to heed his advice.

Down to business, Solak highlights a pair of fundamental personnel flaws, as well as the potential for negative regression in turnover margin, that he fears could doom the Packers.

I think two of the biggest nonnegotiables for playoff teams are having a pass rush and a dominant receiver. The Packers definitely don’t have the first and still might not have the second, even after drafting Matthew Golden in Round 1. They were plus-12 in turnover differential last season, which ranked third in the NFL, but that tends not to be a sticky number.

Whether one agrees with his premise about playoff teams – and absent an elite quarterback, it is very hard not to – it is difficult to argue that the Packers will rank high in either trait. While the roster is still strong overall, Green Bay’s lack of offseason aggression, in free agency or in the trade market, has left them in a legitimately precarious position if even a few things go wrong.