Change. It’s inevitable, and the Green Bay Packers have been experimenting a lot on the offensive side of the ball this offseason.
Notably, Aaron Rodgers has been traded to the New York Jets, meaning Jordan Love will serve as the starter. But other than that, it’s a unit that has lost several veteran receivers, including Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Robert Tonin and Mercedes Lewis.
So naturally, when a football team’s staff changes significantly, especially when the pendulum swings from a seasoned roster to one laden with inexperience, playbook changes are likely to occur to varying degrees.
“Maybe, yeah, could,” said offensive coordinator Adam Stanwich when asked whether the offense would look much different this season. “I think I could. And it’s not just because we don’t have Aaron Rodgers. It could be other pieces that we’ve added. So again, it’s OTA right now, so we’ll just have to see.” going to see how it all fits together, and once we figure out how we’re going to attack the defense, we’ll go from there. But I think it could .
So what’s the point of different? Most agree that for the Packers in 2023, this means we see a purer version of the Matt LaFleur offense that was previously comfortable running alongside Rodgers. This can mean more movement, fewer shotgun plays and more confidence in the running game, as well as fewer pre-play adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
Before that can be determined, though, the Packers will use OTAs, training camp, and preseason to lay the groundwork for what they want — and hope — the offense to become. This includes seeing where Luv excels and where he needs to improve. Trying to make progress each day while building one.
Stanwich said via Packers.com, “I think from the quarterback position, you go back to the point where we’re now starting with Phase 1 instead of starting with Phase 8, where you’re starting with Aaron.” Might as well start with Rodgers.” “So, you’re going to take a step back and you’re going to keep working forward. I really can’t see the end result right now. We’ll just take it one day at a time and go from there, but it’s done,” he enthused. I think all the players can feel the good vibes, good energy in the locker room, so it’s going to be fun.”
The same approach will have to be taken with the Packers’ young receivers and tight ends. From a pass-catching perspective, Josiah DeGuara is the most experienced tight end on the list with 39 receptions, and Rome Dobbs is the most experienced receiver with 42 receptions. Rather than trying to force rookie receivers and tight ends to play a certain way or asking them to do too much, the coaching staff will first figure out their strengths and position the receivers to succeed from there. will do all that they can. Often this means keeping things simple, so that players can just make plays.
“In the beginning you have to limit what you put on his plate,” Stanwich said of young pass catchers. “Look at what they’re good at, what they excel at, and use those as your strengths. Then you can work on the things that need improvement. But I’m so excited about all those . It was awesome to see him run in rookie minicamp, so I’m excited for him.”
The Packers’ offensive coaching staff spent some time this offseason watching the San Francisco 49ers, in particular, how they allowed 2022 seventh-round rookie Brock Purdy to come in as planned and find the kind of success that Near-instantaneous control of the Niner is also included. offense and an NFC Championship appearance.
Studying similar offenses is common practice in the NFL (the San Francisco Packers were not the only team studied) in the hope that a specific play, or series of plays, can be borrowed and incorporated. Although Love is entering his first season as a starter, and needs to lay the groundwork for what will be an offense this summer, the potential advantage of having him sit and develop for three years is that the learning curve is shorter. Will happen And the depth of the playbook expands very quickly.
Stanwich told reporters, “Obviously, he doesn’t have the playing experience that Aaron had, but from a playbook standpoint, I think almost everything is on the table.” “It’s been around for three years and it’s really hitting it off. Even last year, you could see him being himself, he felt a lot more comfortable, so this year he’s really stepped up.” So I’m really excited to see what he comes up with.
The first step in this whole process begins on Monday, when OTAs officially get underway, and the Green Bay Packers will have the majority of their 90-man roster on the practice field. Unlike last season, where most of Green Bay’s starting contingency sat out during the preseason, those reps in 2023 will be incredibly valuable to Love and his young skill position players as the Packers continue to learn their strengths and adapt to this new offense. Let’s build Whatever may appear.
“I think preseason is going to be very important,” Stanevich said. “But just going out there, putting him around all these young receivers and tight ends and stuff, and working with our veterans and just letting him lead out there, put his stamp on it.” is, and then once we see how that goes, you can go at that address.”
