As the regular season approaches, the Green Bay Packers will once again find themselves in Super Bowl contention. Heading into this season, their team will look somewhat different than it did last year. And they will be missing a few of their key pieces from seasons past. But they made several moves during the off-season that could still make them a legitimate threat in the NFC.
The Packers put together a 2021 season full of ups and downs. After a week one loss that was one of the worst in recent memory for this team, many thought that Green Bay had finally lost their step. A New Orleans Saints team, without Drew Brees, managed to beat the Packers 38-3.
In week one, the Packers suffered one of their worst losses in recent history. A New Orleans Saints team, without Drew Brees, managed to beat the Packers 38-3. This led to many people thinking the Packers may have finally ended their reign of the NFC North.
But people were wrong. After their week one loss, the Packers won seven straight games. Green Bay ended the season with a 13-4 record and first in the NFC.
The Packers season came to and u the divisional round of the playoffs. They suffered a 13-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. After a disappointing end to the season, all eyes were on how they would approach the off-season. Several questions had to be answered. Would Aaron Rodgers be traded? Could he retire? What would happen with Davante Adams?
Now as the season quickly approaches, many of these questions have been answered. And with many of the choices that the Packers made this season, they set themselves up for a successful season in 2022.
But before you can dive into the good decisions they made, you have to acknowledge the biggest change this offense will see.
The Packers trading away star wide receiver Davante Adams was one of the most shocking decisions of the off-season. Green Bay sent Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders in return for a first-round pick and a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft.
Over the past four seasons, Adams was the number one weapon for Aaron Rodgers. Since 2018, he accounted for 423 receptions, 2,927 receiving yards, and 47 touchdowns.
Adams has made his case as the league's best receiver. His absence will leave a noticeable gap on this Packers team.
Let's take a look at what moves the Packers made that could put them over the top.
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Packers' Best Offseason Moves
3. Re-Signing Aaron Rodgers, Jaire Alexander, and Robert Tonyan
The Packer's ability to retain the players already on their roster will directly influence their success this season. The Packers were able to agree to new deals with Aaron Rodgers, Jaire Alexander, and Robert Tonyan.
Rodgers and Alexander have been crucial to the success of this team in recent years. Tonyan has quickly turned into one of Rodgers's favorite targets. With the absence of Adams, bringing in pass-catchers who already know the offense will be essential.
Tonyan will be entering the 2022 season coming off of a torn ACL the year prior. He appeared in just eight games last season. In that time, he recorded 18 receptions, 204 yards, and two touchdowns.
Robert Tonyan
Tonyan has already shown how effective he can be in this offense. In 2020 he appeared in all 16 of the Packer's regular season games. He played the best football of his career, racking up 52 receptions for 586 yards, and 11 touchdowns. If he can replicate that performance, he could be exactly what this team needs.
The influence of Rodgers on this Packers team is still worth noting. At times throughout this off-season, it seemed as though the pair were headed towards a breakup. But now that all is well, the pairing is set to make another run.
Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers is coming off of a season that saw him win his second MVP in consecutive seasons. He finished the year with 4,115 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and just four touchdowns. While leading the Packers to their third straight season of 13-3 records, he has looked to still be at the top of his game.
Even at 38 years old, he is still playing at a level that is unheard of. His recent stretch of play led to the Packers giving him a contract that will keep him on the team for the foreseeable future. If he can continue this level of play, he could single-handedly keep this Green Bay Packers team in contention.
Jaire Alexander
The Green Bay Packers retaining cornerback Jaire Alexander is another move that slid under some radars. Alexander has already proven to be an elite talent and is among the best corners in the NFL already.
Though he appeared in just four games last season, the Packers still gave Alexander a new contract. As he has served as a focal point on this defense, the deal makes sense.
Since entering the NFL in 2018, Alexander has recorded five interceptions, 44 passes defended, and 188 total tackles.
2. Bringing in new young talent
The Packers have been a team that has relied heavily on their veterans in recent years. That could potentially change in 2022. Through the draft, the Packers added several players who could make an immediate impact.
Rookies on both sides of the ball could be playing large roles in 2022. With the Packer's two first-round selections, they added two potential starters. Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt, who both played big roles on Georiga’s run to a national championship, should be immediate starters on this defense. They were both elite in a talented SEC and should be able to make their presence felt from day one for this defnese.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Green Bay Packers added wide receiver, Christian Watson, in the second round. With the absence left by Adams, Watson could step in and become a top receiver from day one.
1. The addition of Sammy Watkins
This wide receiver group needed a veteran receiver. Sammy Watkins immediately fills that role. As Watkins heads into his ninth season, he has proven himself to be one of the game's most reliable receivers.
In 99 career games, Watkins has racked up 348 receptions, 5,049 yards, and 34 touchdowns.
In a wide receiver unit that will need depth, Watkins will have the chance to be effective. His being this team's top receiving threat is a real possibility. Between his experience and ability to produce, Rodgers could look for him to be one of his primary targets.
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