GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers open their 2023 NFL training camp on July 26 at Ray Nitschke Field. Here’s a closer look at a few storylines:
Biggest question: Is this anything other than a rebuilding year?
If you ask Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, there is no such thing. “I don’t ever look at it like that,” he said this offseason. “Just like it was back the last time we moved on from one quarterback to the other, right? The goals are the same.”
The results, however, were different. In Brett Favre’s last season (2007), the Packers were 13-3 and reached the NFC Championship. In Aaron Rodgers’ first (2008), the Packers were 6-10 and missed the playoffs. A year later, Rodgers and the Packers were back in the playoffs. Two years later, they won the Super Bowl.
The difference is Rodgers inherited a ton of talent. Jordan Love doesn’t have much experience to work with on this roster. His most veteran receivers have one year of NFL experience (Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson) and the tight end group will likely rely most heavily on a pair of rookies (Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft).
The most compelling position battle: Pass-catchers
As many as three positions on the offensive line are open, but there will be more eyes on the receivers and tight ends. Allen Lazard (now with the Jets) was the No. 1 receiver in name last year, but they never really had anyone who put up No. 1-type numbers. Doubs looked like Love’s favorite receiver this offseason, but in the second half of last season, Watson made it look like he's the big-play guy.
Second-round pick Jayden Reed, who appears to be a slot receiver in the mold of Randall Cobb, might step right in. Or maybe Samori Toure, who didn’t play much last season but has gotten rave reviews from the coaching staff this offseason, can contribute. And then there’s the tight end situation. Musgrave, a second-round pick, looks NFL ready, and third-round pick Kraft might factor in right away, too.
The player with the most to prove: Who else could it be but Love?
Just like Rodgers 15 years ago, Love sat for three years waiting his turn. Rodgers showed quite a bit more in his three years as Favre’s backup than Love did in his three behind Rodgers. However, Love’s opportunities were limited -- first when COVID-19 wiped out his rookie preseason and even last season when the Packers decided to keep playing a banged-up Rodgers. It shouldn’t be forgotten that the Packers won just six games with Rodgers as a first-time starter in 2008, but his numbers (4,000-plus passing yards and 28 touchdown passes) offered a glimpse at what was to come.
Training camp is a success if … David Bakhtiari makes it through without any issues or setbacks
It has been 2 1/2 years -- and three separate surgeries -- since the All-Pro left tackle blew out his left knee. This offseason, he expressed confidence that all the issues are behind him. But who can forget last season, when all appeared to be fine heading into the Washington game only for him to wake up on game day with more knee problems and miss the game?
In the 12 games Bakhtiari played, he still looked elite. With Bakhtiari and guard Elgton Jenkins, the left side of the line could be the best in the league. Jon Runyan Jr. looks like a good bet to play right guard. Zach Tom will compete at center (with Josh Myers) and right tackle (with Yosh Nijman). There’s a good chance he’ll win one of those jobs.
Most important offseason addition: The draft picks -- all of them
This class of 13 will be counted on heavily because the free agent moves Gutekunst made this offseason were either to re-sign some of the Packers' own or add veterans on low-cost contracts. They’ll need first-round linebacker Lukas Van Ness to produce right away, especially if edge rusher Rashan Gary (ACL) isn’t ready for the opener. Same for Reed, Musgrave and Kraft. The backup quarterback could come from this group, too, with fifth-round pick Sean Clifford competing with Danny Etling.