Packers 2024 Off-Season Thread

[Joseph Zarr]

Good gracious that was a tough pill to swallow. Another loss to the 49ers when the Packers were very clearly the better and more dominant team for significant portions of yet another playoff loss. I'm, frankly, so tired of the mythos of that 49ers team. The game was absolutely right there for the taking and it was right there to put away at numerous points in the contest. The Packers, simply put, squandered the many many opportunities. To that end, they deserved to lose. Plain and simple - as painful as it is to admit it. 

This being said, I believe the one thing this unexpected playoff mini-run showed us is the team has accelerated the expectation window. The Packers 'should' definitely treat this off-season as a practice in: The time is NOW. These playoff windows are oh so fleeting and the opportunities absolutely uncertain. I also don't believe an organization can take these windows for granted. Sprint with purpose and resolution to seize the moment. We have incredible draft capital in this draft.

Early Post-Season Ending in Disappointment Thoughts: What I'd love to see the Packers consider/address:

1) New Defensive Coordinator. I don't really care about the improvements I saw in Barry's defense over the past month - they were nice sure but the litany of fames before that time? Yeeesh. We have three years of observations and results. That winning San Fran drive was about as predictable as the sun rising and setting. Two high safety looks. Conservative. Yawn. Six of the top 11 DVOA D-Coordinators were either first year or second year coordinators. Barry has literally never had a single defense he's coached in all his years place above 20th in DVOA. They have to get serious here and drop all sentimentality about this staff. He is not the answer. Let's not fall for fool's gold.

2) To that end, Bisaccia has to be considered for the chopping block. That was his kicker. They regressed, yet again, across the board with ST's. He's the highest paid ST coach in the League. And, I really don't care that he was an Assistant Head Coach. Make the hard decisions but make them with purpose. The time is NOW for this team. 

3) Address the kicker situation. Carlson is likely who he is at this point. I saw the same kicker this entire season that we saw in the SEC. He is erratic, inconsistent and just can't be trusted. How can we discuss an 86% XP specialist in the NFL? He didn't even rank in the top 32. He missed a kick in 10-of-12 games to close his season and five games in a row. You just can't be serious with that type of performance with Championship aspirations. 

4) New safeties across the board - you have the draft capital to accomplish this. You can't accept the highly erratic play in the back end. 

5) Another ILB to pair with Walker and McDuffie - yes, this means Campbell has to go. We caught lightning in a bottle there once. Let's try to catch some more.

6) Bring back Jones

[HarryDoyle]

We're going to need to improve the offensive line, particularly finding a replacement for Bakh. 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I honestly thought their offensive line was magnificent last night. That is not some crappy front they were up against and they ran great and usually had time to throw.  

You never have too many OL so by all means draft some. But they also need secondary help, even with the established players they have, some may be gone or gone soon, never healthy, etc. That and a kicker. On paper there is a lot to like in most other spots but as we know too well the game isn't played on paper. 

 

[LouisEly]

 

As of week 16/17, Zach Tom was 2nd in the league among RT in lowest pressure % on passing sets.  The replacements could already be here.

Interior OL is a different story.  Can certainly upgrade at C and RG.

[Joseph Zarr]

15 minutes ago, LouisEly said:

 

As of week 16/17, Zach Tom was 2nd in the league among RT in lowest pressure % on passing sets.  The replacements could already be here.

Interior OL is a different story.  Can certainly upgrade at C and RG.

I have to agree 100% here. I like what Rhyan showed this year when they finally committed but I have concerns on his pass blocking overall. They could easily go the vintage route of three interior guys in the middle rounds. I could very easily validate replacing all three spots - despite the public rhetoric on Myers who remains 'just a guy' to me. I acknowledge he certainly improved this season but he is still too inconsistent for my liking.

[Joseph Zarr]

Decent thoughts there. As far as the first three rounds of the draft are concerned at present:

 

[nate82]

13 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Decent thoughts there. As far as the first three rounds of the draft are concerned at present:

 

If the Packers lose Jones I think that is going to be a bigger loss than some may think.  Yes he was injured for the majority of the year but I believe he was one of the key factors on their run through the playoffs.  Jones is a special RB who unfortunately has been injured.  When he is healthy he brings a dynamic to the Packers offense that no one on the Packers current depth chart at RB brings. 

If there is no restructure and Jones is gone that is going to be a huge loss for the Packers for the '24-'25 season.  This draft is extremely weak at play making RB's.  I really like Isaiah Davis out of South Dakota State who is probably a round 3 or 4 pick in this draft.  I like Davis over Braelon Allen as Davis has better quickness.  Henderson is another RB I like but there are questions about his health.  Henderson is also a very poor pass blocker but he can catch the ball and do other things extremely well. 

If you have a need for RB the '24 draft is not a good draft.  You have a bunch of day 2 RB's in the 1-10 range. 

[Joseph Zarr]

14 minutes ago, nate82 said:

If the Packers lose Jones I think that is going to be a bigger loss than some may think.  Yes he was injured for the majority of the year but I believe he was one of the key factors on their run through the playoffs.  Jones is a special RB who unfortunately has been injured.  When he is healthy he brings a dynamic to the Packers offense that no one on the Packers current depth chart at RB brings. 

If there is no restructure and Jones is gone that is going to be a huge loss for the Packers for the '24-'25 season.  This draft is extremely weak at play making RB's.  I really like Isaiah Davis out of South Dakota State who is probably a round 3 or 4 pick in this draft.  I like Davis over Braelon Allen as Davis has better quickness.  Henderson is another RB I like but there are questions about his health.  Henderson is also a very poor pass blocker but he can catch the ball and do other things extremely well. 

If you have a need for RB the '24 draft is not a good draft.  You have a bunch of day 2 RB's in the 1-10 range. 

I think Jones coming back is almost a foregone conclusion given the low wear and how he showed out when it mattered most. He's their difference maker. I always worry about his health given his smaller stature but he's proven himself time and again as a reliable difference maker. I think some of the restructures touted above may be expressly used to re-up Jones and Extend Love. I'll leave the rest to Russ Ball and his wizardry 😅

[young guns]

I agree on jones.  He was low key the spark plug for this offense for their run and losing him would be huge.  Keeping him would allow other needs to be addressed and keep rb lower on the needs list.

[yourout]

4 minutes ago, young guns said:

I agree on jones.  He was low key the spark plug for this offense for their run and losing him would be huge.  Keeping him would allow other needs to be addressed and keep rb lower on the needs list.

+1. He has a skill set we do not have on the roster other than him. There's actually very few with his skill set in the NFL.

[LouisEly]

They absolutely need to keep Jones.  Maybe something like guaranteeing $12M as a signing bonus w/a 2-year extension so that he gets ~$13M cash for 2024 w/only a $5M cap hit.  Or $9M signing bonus w/2 year extension, $3M roster bonus for 2024, for ~$7M 2024 cap hit.

[Sixtolezcano]

Free Agent Safeties

Antoine Winfield Jr. - TB

Kamren Curl - Wash

Kyle Dugger - NE

Xavier McKinney - NYG

Geno Stone - Balt.

 

 

 

[young guns]

Those that are more knowledgeable, are there any good candidates for a new DC to be looking out for possible interviews?

[CheezWizHed]

QB: Extend Love, but no other capitol needs to be spent (save for an UDFA if you like someone for the PS). 

RB: Keep Jones and Wilson.  Need to consider a mid-round draft pick. 

WR: Not much of a need, but one of those spots where you can't pass up someone special either. 

TE: Like WR, not much of a need. Could add a late round pick for depth.

OL: Walker and Tom are solid.  Nijman is gone.  Need some depth. Ideally drafting an LT.  Certainly need one or two at G and C.  Myers has stepped up a bit, but needs a push.  Rhyan likewise. Runyan should be let go.

DL:  Really not much of a need.  Not much of any opportunities for roster spots either with our youth. 

OLB: Probably will keep Smith after his season.  Gary and VanNess. Maybe Cox.  A mid round draft wouldn't be crazy.

MLB: Campbell - not sure what to do with him.  Ok, but making more than OK money. Smaller cap savings to cut him, unless after 6/1. I'd probably go another season with what we have. 

SS: Savage looked decent out there frankly.  Owens was a bit of up and down, but decent for the $$.  I'd see what we can get in FA, but it wouldn't be the end of the world to run back those two, Johnson, and a high draft pick. 

CB: Jaire, Stokes?? Valentine, Ballentine - a good group, but you grab another high CB if one is available. 

ST: Ok, hate me, but I'd guess Carlson is back.  His brother (and may other kickers) took a couple years to perfect the craft.  A long snapper is probably due though. I don't think Orzech was very consistent.  I'd bring in a legit K to compete with Carlson, but I'm thinking he returns.

[yourout]

5 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

QB: Extend Love, but no other capitol needs to be spent (save for an UDFA if you like someone for the PS). 

RB: Keep Jones and Wilson.  Need to consider a mid-round draft pick. 

WR: Not much of a need, but one of those spots where you can't pass up someone special either. 

TE: Like WR, not much of a need. Could add a late round pick for depth.

OL: Walker and Tom are solid.  Nijman is gone.  Need some depth. Ideally drafting an LT.  Certainly need one or two at G and C.  Myers has stepped up a bit, but needs a push.  Rhyan likewise. Runyan should be let go.

DL:  Really not much of a need.  Not much of any opportunities for roster spots either with our youth. 

OLB: Probably will keep Smith after his season.  Gary and VanNess. Maybe Cox.  A mid round draft wouldn't be crazy.

MLB: Campbell - not sure what to do with him.  Ok, but making more than OK money. Smaller cap savings to cut him, unless after 6/1. I'd probably go another season with what we have. 

SS: Savage looked decent out there frankly.  Owens was a bit of up and down, but decent for the $$.  I'd see what we can get in FA, but it wouldn't be the end of the world to run back those two, Johnson, and a high draft pick. 

CB: Jaire, Stokes?? Valentine, Ballentine - a good group, but you grab another high CB if one is available. 

ST: Ok, hate me, but I'd guess Carlson is back.  His brother (and may other kickers) took a couple years to perfect the craft.  A long snapper is probably due though. I don't think Orzech was very consistent.  I'd bring in a legit K to compete with Carlson, but I'm thinking he returns.

Good list.

My only disagreements are safety is a MUST upgrade and Long snapper has to be improved whether that's a matter of him getting better or some competition that wins the job. Carlson will have to win the job and not just cuz he's a draft pick.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

They have to keep Jones but they also need to use an early pick on a RB. He is pretty likely to miss time and at the age where RB drop off a cliff overnight. An elite RB is Love's best friend going forward. I would love for us to have a stud in waiting there instead of taking flyers on low-rated talent. I get that RB is treated how it is but there is such a huge difference in having a top talent guy vs. what most of the league does.

[CheezWizHed]

3 hours ago, yourout said:

Good list.

My only disagreements are safety is a MUST upgrade and Long snapper has to be improved whether that's a matter of him getting better or some competition that wins the job. Carlson will have to win the job and not just cuz he's a draft pick.

I'm not sure we disagree on safety, but I gave too much ink to the current starters and gave the wrong impression. I advocated looking at what we could get in FA and drafting a safety pretty high.  The ideal would be to get someone like Winfield and a high draft pick, that would probably help greatly. 

At worst, having Savage starting, then let Owens, Johnson, and a draft pick go after the other starting spot.  That would also be an upgrade, though a smaller one.  Savage has been decent this year.  Johnson has some upside and starter potential.  Obviously, a first or second round pick should have upside.  And as a safety valve, Owens establishes the "floor". 

1 hour ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

They have to keep Jones but they also need to use an early pick on a RB. He is pretty likely to miss time and at the age where RB drop off a cliff overnight. An elite RB is Love's best friend going forward. I would love for us to have a stud in waiting there instead of taking flyers on low-rated talent. I get that RB is treated how it is but there is such a huge difference in having a top talent guy vs. what most of the league does.

I'd be surprised if they went after a 1st round RB, but a 2nd or 3rd... yeah, it is going to be needed.  

[duewizard]

4 hours ago, yourout said:

Good list.

My only disagreements are safety is a MUST upgrade and Long snapper has to be improved whether that's a matter of him getting better or some competition that wins the job. Carlson will have to win the job and not just cuz he's a draft pick.

 

10 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

QB: Extend Love, but no other capitol needs to be spent (save for an UDFA if you like someone for the PS). 

RB: Keep Jones and Wilson.  Need to consider a mid-round draft pick. 

WR: Not much of a need, but one of those spots where you can't pass up someone special either. 

TE: Like WR, not much of a need. Could add a late round pick for depth.

OL: Walker and Tom are solid.  Nijman is gone.  Need some depth. Ideally drafting an LT.  Certainly need one or two at G and C.  Myers has stepped up a bit, but needs a push.  Rhyan likewise. Runyan should be let go.

DL:  Really not much of a need.  Not much of any opportunities for roster spots either with our youth. 

OLB: Probably will keep Smith after his season.  Gary and VanNess. Maybe Cox.  A mid round draft wouldn't be crazy.

MLB: Campbell - not sure what to do with him.  Ok, but making more than OK money. Smaller cap savings to cut him, unless after 6/1. I'd probably go another season with what we have. 

SS: Savage looked decent out there frankly.  Owens was a bit of up and down, but decent for the $$.  I'd see what we can get in FA, but it wouldn't be the end of the world to run back those two, Johnson, and a high draft pick. 

CB: Jaire, Stokes?? Valentine, Ballentine - a good group, but you grab another high CB if one is available. 

ST: Ok, hate me, but I'd guess Carlson is back.  His brother (and may other kickers) took a couple years to perfect the craft.  A long snapper is probably due though. I don't think Orzech was very consistent.  I'd bring in a legit K to compete with Carlson, but I'm thinking he returns.

Agree with LS. Orzech had one really bad snap and one bad one on Saturday. That's 1/3 on a really important playoff game. Also just doesn't strike me as the most consistent guy. At least some competition would be good.

I'm also not in love with Whelan. 24th in average, 31st in net, 10th highest TB%, 26th in In20%. That is definitively in the bottom 1/3 in the league. The field position game is key especially with out Joe Barry defence. I think we can do better than him. O'Donnell isn't the answer either.

[Sixtolezcano]

16 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

 

 

[Joseph Zarr]

LaFleur gave quite a different answer this season re: Joe Barry. No 'Yes' vote of confidence. Hopefully atop his stack of notes as he goes through his process is:

Just not the man for the job. Never was.

[yourout]

1 hour ago, Joseph Zarr said:

LaFleur gave quite a different answer this season re: Joe Barry. No 'Yes' vote of confidence. Hopefully atop his stack of notes as he goes through his process is:

Just not the man for the job. Never was.

Yeah that track record just screams must renew his contract.

[yourout]

I know it's a really small sample size but did anybody else think Wilson looks like he might have some potential at running back?

[BrewersSuperCollector]

1 hour ago, yourout said:

I know it's a really small sample size but did anybody else think Wilson looks like he might have some potential at running back?

I have to say he did have a couple nice runs against the 49ers. I was thinking before this game that this is the best backup we have, He showed no explosion before the 49er game. 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

They like Wilson. He had a strong preseason and showed potential as a home run threat. Had an 80 yard run and a bunch of long gains. It took forever to play because of the protection duties.  I think he's really likely to be on the team next year.  

[OldSchoolSnapper]

On Barry, I have to wonder if Jim Leonard is available and if that matters to MLF. Leonard probably regrets not taking that job given what happened at UW. Would he really rather be senior analyst at Illinois over NFL DC? 

I'm not a UW fan so I don't care all that much but that's the first name I thought of.