Green Bay Packers 2022-2023 Season Preview

Will the Packers be able to replace Davante Adams? Can Aaron Rodgers win his second ring?

The Green Bay Packers enter the 2022 NFL season in an interesting position.  On one hand, they are coming off three straight postseason appearances since Matt LaFleur has taken over, and locked in Aaron Rodgers, one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play the game, for the next three seasons.  On the other hand, all of the controversy regarding Rodgers’ possible departure led to the actual departure of Davante Adams, arguably the best receiver in the league.

The Packers 2021 offseason was filled with reports and rumors speculating that Rodgers time in Green Bay had run its course.  This was followed by a lengthy holdout that began at the start of mandatory minicamps and carried up until the beginning of training camp.  Although Rodgers ended his holdout, a cryptic photo of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in their final season shared by him and Adams led many to believe that the star quarterback and wide receiver would both play one final season with the Packers.

 

While the Packers spent 2021 attempting to mend things with Rodgers, they fell short of expectations on the field.  Although Rodgers won his fourth MVP and the team finished 13-4 and ran away with the NFC North, picking up the NFC’s #1 seed and a first-round bye along the way, the postseason was a different story.  While many expected the Packers to make a run all the way to the Super Bowl, they didn’t win a single playoff game, as they lost 13-10 in the divisional round to the San Francisco 49ers.

 

Going into the offseason, many figured that Rodgers would move on to a different team, and were surprised when he agreed to an extension.  With this news, it was assumed that Adams, who had been franchise tagged, would work out an extension and remain with Rodgers for the foreseeable future.

 

Unfortunately for the Packers and their fans, while attempting to convince Rodgers to stay, they didn’t realize Adams had grown dissatisfied as well.  Adams asked out and was ultimately traded to the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2022 first-round pick and second-round pick.  The trade gave the Packers two first-round picks and two-second round picks, as well as the cap space to retain some of their other key free agents, such as All-Pro inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and cornerback Rasul Douglas, after releasing former All-Pro outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith and offensive lineman Billy Turner.  They were also able to reach a record extension with All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander.

How will the Packers attempt to replace Adams?

After using both of their first-round picks (22nd and 28th overall) on Georgia defenders, inside linebacker Quay Walker and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, the Packers used their two second-round selections (53rd and 59th overall) to trade up, acquiring the 34th overall selection from their NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings.  They used the 34th overall pick to select North Dakota State wide receiver, Christian Watson.

 

The Packers, who also lost Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the Kansas City Chiefs, did bring back Allen Lazard, who finished second on the team, behind Adams, in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.  They also signed former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Sammy Watkins, a former 4th overall selection who hasn’t lived up to his draft position after a promising first two seasons.  Randall Cobb will also be back with the team after agreeing to take a paycut early in the offseason, as will 2021 third-round pick, Amari Rodgers.

 

Replacing the production the team has gotten from Adams will be no easy task, as the star wideout finished 2021 with over 1000 yards more than Lazard, the Packers second leading receiver.  Fortunately for Packers fans, Aaron Rodgers has shown that he can lose talent and not miss a beat.  It would not be surprising to see Rodgers put up similar numbers as 2021, even without Adams.  There likely won’t be one player dominating targets, but Rodgers will spread the ball around and perform.

Will this be enough to keep the Packers in Super Bowl contention?

While many teams would miss a beat losing a top-tier talent like Adams, the Packers have enough talent elsewhere to withstand the loss.  Having a future Hall of Fame quarterback helps, as does having a strong rushing attack, offensive line, and defense, all of which the Packers possess.

 

After finishing 2021 with a 13-4 record (12-5 ATS and 0-1 ATS in the postseason), the Packers will look to bounce back and find postseason success, which is all that matters at this stage of Rodgers career.  The Packers currently sit at +1000 to win the Super Bowl, tied with the Chiefs for the third best odds and only trailing the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Their odds to win the NFC sit at +450, trailing just the Buccaneers, while their odds to win the NFC North are -190, something that isn’t surprising given the state of the rest of the division.  They are as close to a lock to make the postseason as you will find, with odds currently at -500.  The over/under on the Packers win total sits at 11, which could be a steal, as the team is coming off three straight 13 win seasons.

 

As for Rodgers, he is being given +1000 odds to win his fifth MVP, which would also be his third consecutive MVP.  These odds are good for a fourth place tie with Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, trailing only Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

 

While the Packers are a virtual lock for the postseason, as long as Rodgers stays healthy, in a relatively weak NFC North, their real goal, for as long as Rodgers is performing at an MVP level is to hoist another Lombardi trophy.  If their defense can remain in the top ten range, something that should be expected as they get Alexander back from a season-ending injury while adding two first-round picks, then this team has a great shot at their fifth title.

 

Going into 2022, there are a few teams that are very deep with great quarterback play and elite defenses, and the Packers rank at or near the top of that list.  While Rodgers has taken a lot of criticism for his postseason play, his postseason numbers are actually at an elite level.  Although he’s only been able to win one Super Bowl, that doesn’t mean it is due to a lack of production.  It just shows how hard it is to win multiple Super Bowls.

 

While he hasn’t gotten the job done in over a decade, I wouldn’t count Rodgers and the Packers out in 2022, even with the loss of Adams.  The Packers have as good of a chance as anyone to win the Super Bowl, and it would not be one bit surprising if Rodgers, with his future no longer up in the air, finally breaks through and gets his second title.