The Green Bay Packers have been talked about a lot the last few months, but unfortunately, it's for all the wrong reasons. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers' discrepancies with former head coach Mike McCarthy have been well-documented at this point, but the team is looking to move past all of the drama and bring back a winning culture to Green Bay.
The Packers have missed the playoffs the last two seasons, and while Rodgers missed nearly the entire 2017 season, he was not injured in 2018, and the team chemistry was visibly shattered. Rodgers is the key contributor to the success of the team and is rightfully at the forefront of how the team operates. Now that the team has moved on from McCarthy is hoping new head coach Matt LaFleur will turn things around.
After hiring LaFleur and new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, the team focused on addressing the needs on defense. The Packers made a huge splash in free agency as they signed linebackers Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith as well as safety Adrian Amos. In addition to the new players on the defense, the Packers have talent all throughout the defensive unit.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander, defensive lineman Kenny Clark, and linebacker Blake Martinez bring forth a lot of potential for the future, complementing veteran presences like defensive tackle Mike Daniels and cornerback Tramon Williams. The Packers have not been known for their defense since the days of Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews' younger years. That appears to have changed, giving the team a lot to look forward to as they have their most complete team they've had in nearly a decade.
The Packers have an identity that is centered around Aaron Rodgers and the moves they made this offseason made it clear they are trying to keep him satisfied. The help on defense should give Rodgers more opportunities on offense to rebound from a disappointing 2018 season.
Despite playing in all 16 games, Rodgers threw for 25 touchdowns and was sacked 49 times. The touchdown total was the fewest he has while playing in all 16 games and the sack total was the most since 2012. Both stats are a bit alarming considering the Packers quarterback is not getting any younger. It's likely the new coaching staff has taken note and will be setting Rodgers up for success, making life as easy as possible for the 35-year old quarterback.
Green Bay has a lot to prove in 2019, and with all the drama behind them, they can set their sights on getting back to the postseason and presumably another Super Bowl trophy. Although the Packers are in one of the toughest divisions in the league with the Bears and Vikings, it's impossible to count Rodgers out. The league has seen what he is capable of so it's easy to assume last season was a fluke for the team and the Packers could rebound in a big way this upcoming season. As long as Rodgers is on the team, the Packers have a legitimate shot at competing for it all in 2019.
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