Packers Opinion: Make Apologies as Loud as Your Disrespect

Get In Line

No one deserves a bigger apology than Jordan Love. Now, not from everyone, as though that actually know the game understood growing pains and learning the job. Rather, again, the media and knuckleheaded fans swore up, down, and sideways that Love would fail. Why? First, they were deluded by a false vision of what playoff legend Rodgers was. Remember the last time that Aaron Rodgers actually won a playoff game? January 16, 2021 versus the Rams. To his credit, Love shut out the frothing ignorance and attended to the matter of football. He learned, occasionally, the hard way. Yet, he learned. Despite the cacophony of nonsense echoing above him, Love firmly entrenched himself as the franchise quarterback. As a result, the Packers will reward a player that, over the six most important games of the season, threw fourteen touchdowns to two interceptions.

Earned A Stripe (Maybe, Two)

When the Packers shipped America’s least favorite Karen to New York, questions regarding Matt La Fleur’s ability to command an offense surfaced. For years, by the admission of former teammates, Rodgers ran that show at Lambeau. As a result, the offense thrives solely because of him. Now, with Love under center, how did LaFleur manage? First, two questions? When Jayden Reed goes in motion, am I the only person that knows that some sort of gadget play nears? If you watched the Giants’ loss, you should remember Reed carrying the ball four times. In the red zone, why act overly cute? Instead, do what led you down the field. Also, why use A.J. Dillon on so many east/west running plays? That sits counter to his strengths. In his favor, LaFleur crafted an offense where seven players enjoyed forty or more targets. In 2024, the expectations rise.

A Tale of Two Backs

When Aaron Jones took less money to stay, the thought of a backfield dominated by A.J. Dillon took shape. Yet, through injury and ineffectiveness, Jones proved his worth. In contrast, Dillon struggled to live up to the prevailing belief. Dillon looked a step slow, especially in those oddly crafted horizontal running plays. That 3.4 yards per carry just hurt to watch. Now, as a free agent, should the Packers re-sign him? No. With a draft class full of power-based running backs that fall into the value category, why encumber yourself to a back on big-money deal when you can draft a back and have contract control for four years? In all honesty, Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen and Notre Dame RB Audric Estime will provide north/south production at a better price.

Different Stokes

Granted, Jaire Alexander, when healthy and locked in, is an elite cornerback. Yet, on the other hand, Eric Stokes struggles to live up to the first-round slot the Packers drafted him in. Through sheer bad luck with injuries, Stokes just cannot stay healthy. With eleven starts in the last two seasons in the past thirty-two games, Stokes sits at a crossroads. Entering year four with the fifth-year option more than likely declined, Stokes will play for his career with the Packers. As rookie, he showed his true value, locking down opponents to the tune of a 49.8 percent completion percentage. Although injuries remain a part of the game and Stokes looks snakebit, something needs to break.

Let Him Cook or Let Him Go

If you look at television, you’d swear that Anders Carlson solely lost the game for the Packers. Yes, he missed a field and looks rather inconsistent. However, a couple of things do rest in his favor that he could work out. His brother, Daniel started off 1-4 during his rookie season. The Vikings cut him. He landed in Oakland/Las Vegas, where he’s made 89.4 percent of his kicks since. Whether it’s the yips or technique, the Packers have a choice: cut him or work with Carlson. If they choose the former, both sides get a fresh start. Conversely, if the Packers embrace the latter, shut up. Hearing this from Matt LaFleur about his kicker solves nothing. On the bright side, it was Rich Bisaccia that turned one Carlson into an All-Pro kicker. Maybe he can duplicate that feat.

Overview

The 2023-24 Green Bay Packers provided football fans, not just their fanbase with a fun product with the ability to compete and win with regularity. To the impatient consternation of some, the Packers lost a heartbreaker. the San Francisco 49ers earned the number-one seed in the NFC. They weren’t going to lay down for anyone. Under those circumstances, the Packers played better than the 9.5-point underdog that Vegas anticipated. With tweaks to depth, the Packers should remain a playoff contender for the foreseeable future. Luckily, the decision makers completely ignored the rantings of unhinged, delusional fans that would have dismantled the team before Halloween. As an outsider, this would be my advice.