The Green Bay Packers have a lot to look forward to heading into the 2019 season as they have a new head coach, new offensive coordinator, and some fantastic new additions to the team. The Packers have missed the playoffs each of the last two seasons after making a trip tot the postseason on a consistent basis prior to the past two seasons.
Green Bay finds themselves in one of the tougher divisions in the league with the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings fighting to win the NFC North championship. Next season will surely be exciting for the Packers and the sky is the limit for this talented roster. Despite losing two long-time players, the additions they've made so far in free agency prior to the 2019 might be the best of any team so far.
Here are a few takeaways from Green Bay's offseason moves so far.
3. Defensive makeover
The Packers made some incredible moves to assess their defensive needs ahead of the 2019 season by adding three of the top defensive free agency this year's offseason had to offer. In one quick turn of events, the franchise were able to sign former Chicago Bears safety Adrian Amos, former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Za'Darius Smith, and former Washington Redskins linebacker Preston Smith.
These additions will likely send the Packers on their way to finally regaining some relevancy on defense once again. Amos is one of the top players at his position and his 2018 season was fantastic, which led to a nice pay day from Green Bay. Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith offer tremendous pass rushing to complement the Packers linebackers corps as well as the secondary.
Three moves are an incredible statement in regards to a team's activity level in free agency, but there is plenty of time for the Packers to make more if they desire. So far it looks like the defense is right where it needs to be, so for now Green Bay looks poised to join the Vikings and Bears amongst the league's top defensive units.
2. The departure of Clay Matthews
The Packers saw one of their great players leave the team he has spent his entire career with this week, as Clay Matthews decided to join the Los Angeles Rams. Matthews is a California native and lives close to the team's practice facility, so the move makes sense at this point in his career.
The Rams could use a veteran presence along with safety Eric Weddle to take command of an incredibly talented defense. Los Angeles is gaining an excellent playmaker on defense as well as a player with the knowledge of what it takes to get to the Super Bowl.
As far as it goes for the Packers, the team has Blake Martinez as well as Kyler Fackrell, who offer a lot of potential at the linebacker position. Matthews will likely forever be a Packer at heart considering his entire 10-year career was spent with the team.
1. Randall Cobb's farewell
Wide receiver Randall Cobb was not as effective in the team's offense as he was just a few seasons ago, but he still offers solid pass catching ability. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has shown trust and an obvious connection with wide receiver Davante Adams, looking to Cobb less and less over recent years. The Packers also drafted two young receivers in Equanimeous St. Brown and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who showed great potential last season.
Unfortunately for Cobb, his time with the Packers came to an end this week as he joined the Dallas Cowboys on a one-year deal. Cobb will join a Cowboys offense in dire need of more pass catchers to play alongside Amari Cooper.
Cobb could play a similar role to former Dallas receiver Cole Beasley next season and give quarterback Dak Prescott a reliable option in the passing game.
Follow Us
Subscribe