Three hottest seats on the Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers had an uncharacteristically down season in 2022, and the team is facing a possible franchise-defining decision from quarterback Aaron Rodgers about his playing future. Another losing season next year could end up costing some their jobs.

Here are the three Packers with the hottest seats heading into 2023:

1. Aaron Rodgers, QB

This, of course, depends on whether Rodgers is traded elsewhere or retires prior to the start of the season. But if he returns to the Packers in 2023, he will in all likelihood shoulder the blame for any and everything bad that happens throughout the season.

If Rodgers comes back, it will presumably cost the team Jordan Love — a talented young first-round quarterback who could probably be starting for at least a dozen other teams around the league. 

Short of a trade for a playmaking receiver or tight end, Rodgers will be throwing to much of the same supporting cast next year as well, the same group of pass catchers that he threw under the bus at varying times this season.

Unfair or not, anything short of a deep playoff run in 2023 will be looked at as a failure if Rodgers in under center. 

2. Matt LaFleur, head coach

When he had a top-five quarterback throwing to arguably the top receiver in the NFL, LaFleur averaged 13 wins per season and looked to be one of the best head coaches in the game. But in his first season without Davante Adams, Rodgers struggled and the Packers passing game looked pedestrian.

This year marked just the third time in the last 12 years Green Bay didn’t finish first or second in the division. Another 8-9 season with no playoff appearance, and the Packers could cut bait with LaFleur without hesitation.

3. Brian Gutenkunst, general manager

A lot is riding on free agency and the draft for Gutenkunst, who is under an immense amount of pressure to surround whoever is under center with a better group of pass catchers, to fix the offensive line and revamp a middle-of-the-road defense that’s one of the league’s worst at stopping the run.

If Rodgers is traded, Gutenkunst has to get back enough draft picks to save face. If Rodgers returns and Love is traded, he has to hope Love hits a learning curve with his new team and Rodgers leads the Packers back to the playoffs, or his judgement as a talent evaluator will be seriously questioned. 

Whichever option Gutenkunst chooses regarding the quarterback will likely determine if he has a job in 2024.