The Green Bay Packers had a proper, busy offseason through Training Camp.
The 2024 Green Packers Schedule via http://www.packers.com
LAS VEGAS — When the Green Bay Packers open its 2024 season in Sao Paolo, Brazil Friday evening versus the Philadelphia Eagles (5:15 p.m. PST, Peacock, PHI -2.5/49), it will take the Arena Corinthians field on the heels of a busy, profound offseason in which key decisions were made altering the course of this coming season and the franchise in total moving forward.
From the night Green Bay walked off the Levi’s Stadium field in Santa Clara this past January following the NFC Divisional game at the 49ers to the moment the ball kicks off in Brazil versus the Eagles to begin the new season, these were the situations and decisions which defined the Packers offseason through the end of camp.
Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love. Photo Credit: Getty Images
A TIME FOR LOVE
There was no bigger event during Green Bay’s summer than at the end of July when the Packers made the correct, common-sense decision to make a commitment to Jordan Love as the franchise signed the quarterback to a historic four-year, $220 million dollar extension complete with a $75 million dollar signing bonus, $100.8 million fully guaranteed at signing and $155 million fully guaranteed throughout the life of the deal. The average annual value (AAV) on the contract is $55M, which per ESPN, is tied for highest AAV in the NFL alongside Joe Burrow (CIN) and Trevor Laurence (JAX), as of this writing (AOTW). As it did with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers previously, this is the franchise paying a full-rate, premium contract — one most NFL players in the league yearn and never get to sign for — to what it believes is its cornerstone player.
For a comprehensive exploration of the contract, go to https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/47621/jordan-love
“To go through the tough stretch in October and to see him so steady through all that and just really lead our team to get better week in and week out, and to see the rewards at the end of the season, I was very excited for him and our football team. For as good as he played, there’s so much more in front of him and just excited for him and where he’s going.” — Packers GM Brian Gutekunst following the 2023-24 NFL season, via ESPN.
DRAFTING KEY PIECES AND DEPTH
Back in April, the Green Bay braintrust migrated to Detroit for the NFL Draft and in my opinion they returned from the Motor City with a more fine-tuned machine.
Making draft decisions at the confluence of need, positional value and availability as Green Bay did in this draft, the Packers selected athletes with the physical capability and the mental aptitude to enter the program, learn the program and contribute to the program — if called upon — not only in 2024, but beyond.
The selections specifically along the offensive line, at safety, linebacker and at running back have me very bullish on the Green Bay draft process. All of the aforementioned areas were legitimate roster needs, if not pre-camp, definitely by its conclusion.
Attached are various links to capable outlets in the space whom I feel have given you, the reader, an objective, sensible surmise to this Green Bay draft class. Their works here warrant my full endorsement:
https://www.pff.com/news/draft-green-bay-packers-2024-nfl-draft-picks-analysis-and-rookie-spotlight
https://packerswire.usatoday.com/lists/closer-look-at-green-bay-packers-2024-draft-picks/
For a comprehensive exploration of the history of the Green Bay Packers at the NFL Draft, visit https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/draft.htm
THE X FACTOR
Back in March, Green Bay entered the Free Agent market and transacted its biggest acquisition of the period when it signed former New York Giants Safety Xavier McKinney.
A starting safety was a premium need for the Packers and it sure addressed the need here, in addition to the drafting at the position discussed above. Very simply and obviously, McKinney will be a welcomed addition to the Green Bay defense.
For a detailed view of Xavier McKinney’s player profile, visit https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McKiXa00.htm
JEFF HAFLEY
Way back in January, Green Bay jettisoned its former, maligned defensive coordinator Joe Barry. At the end of the month, the Packers named the replacement in former Boston College HC Jeff Hafley.
An ardent and very serious Miami Hurricanes and ACC Football fan myself, I can tell you BC punched well above its weight recently. The Eagles were bowl eligible in three of his four years there. BC just beat Florida State (AOTW), which to me signifies the program new HC Bill O’Brien took over was turn-key and in a good place, which is another credit to Hafley.
He brings a 4-3 Base/4-2-5 Multiple look to Green Bay. This is a move I fully endorse as previous 3-4 personnel schemes were tried time and again proving the scheme had run its course. Hafley is an ascending coach in the profession. The opportunity and motivation is surely there citing why he left College Football. Obviously, the hiring of a new DC was something which — again for this franchise — had to happen.
THE KICKER BATTLE
During its July-August Training Camp, Green Bay conducted an intense, ruthless place kicking competition.
It was an innocent bystander in the war whom emerged victorious: Brayden Narveson is the new Packers kicker. Heck, he wasn’t even announced until after camp and after cutdowns!
If you follow me on X, you know my thoughts on the incumbent Anders Carlson. I stand by that, even if I did use tough language. I did think he did just enough to edge Greg Joseph, but there is no way anybody could fault Green Bay for not wanting the enigma that was Carlson on a kick by kick basis back for another season.
Green Bay couldn’t trust Anders Carlson anymore. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Again, the final outcome was the correct decision.
For more on Narveson, visit https://www.packers.com/news/5-things-to-know-about-new-packers-kicker-brayden-narveson-2024
THE MOVE OF THE OFFSEASON
Discussed above, Green Bay made numerous correct, common-sense decisions from the time last season ended to kickoff versus Philadelphia (Sao Paolo traffic pending) Friday.
But not every decision was so straightforward. One decision stood out to me more than the rest: The FA signing of former Las Vegas Raiders’ RB Josh Jacobs.
So back in March, when it was discovered Aaron Jones and Josh Jacobs would not be the next Dynamic Duo of Packers’ running back pairings and that Jones — a veteran and fan-favorite — would be exiting Green Bay for wretched Minnesota to sign with the stupid Vikings, the signing of Jacobs became crucial.
To replace Jones with the caliber of player in Jacobs proves Green Bay is in it to win it in 2024-25. It would’ve been real easy to replace Jones via the draft and lower-level free agents but the Packers decided against it. The magnitude of this choice stuck with me. Full endorsement.
“He’s a very proven back. He runs with a lot of violence, explosiveness. He’s a bigger back, a durable back for the most part. He’s really a guy that can flourish in all phases, as a runner, as a blocker and certainly as a pass-catcher.” — Packers GM Brian Gutenkunst on the signing of RB Josh Jacobs, via The Athletic
For a detailed view of Josh Jacobs’s player profile, visit https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JacoJo01.htm
FINAL TAKE
I feel good about where Green Bay is. The quarterback, the returning WR room, the coaching staff, the draft, the new pieces…all of it, I’m bullish on this Packers team.
There is no reason this team can’t win its division. It will qualify for the postseason. A very deep run or better is within its purview.
Having that said, I feel like now is a prudent time to release a Best Bet for the 2024-25 Green Bay Packers season:
BEST BET
Green Bay to win the NFC: 7.5:1
- I’ve decided I’m challenging San Francisco and Detroit with Philadelphia and Green Bay. I want no part of SF. I’m much more worried about DET than SF but will rely on the Lions losing history (even if not very actionable) as to why it doesn’t go to the Super Bowl. Although I acknowledge DET is a quality team and capable.
- I have this position myself in minimal (AOTW) monetary value in paper ticket form to which I will look to build upon throughout the season.
As always, GOOD LUCK & PLAY RESPONSIBLY.
REFERENCES
- Packers dot com
- NFL dot com
- Pro Football Reference
- PFF
- ESPN
- X
- Packers on X
- The Athletic
- Packers Wire
- FOX Sports
- Ian Rappaort on X
- Sportrac
- Circa Sports
- Draftkings
- SportsLogos dot net
- Getty Images
Creator’s Note: The purveyor of Darkseid Sports has no affiliation, whatsoever, with any of the above entities, either in written form or depicted in corresponding images. The author of this writing is a 3rd generation, passionate and very serious Green Bay Packers and National Football League fan. His next game at venerable Lambeau Field will be his 56th.
#GoPackGo
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