Why The Packers Offense Falling Off A Cliff In 2023 Is Highly Unlikely
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Can you believe we are only 20 days away from Packers training camp? I’m getting to that point where I’m more than ready for the NFL season to start – the excitement that every Sunday brings as we wait for the Packers game to kick off. We’re so close you can taste it.
Recently I’ve slowed down my creation of content. I figure when nothing new is happening it’s a good time to take a breather before we get into the swing of the season.
I can only talk about Jordan Love so many times when there’s been no new piece of information added to the puzzle.
Some have the confidence that his time learning under Aaron Rodgers will lead to a successful first season. Others think that with a young and inexperienced receiver core Jordan Love is going to have trouble in his first season as starter. And others are waiting to watch him play before they make their assessment. Right now it’s all speculation based on the limited amount of information we have at our disposal.
While I’m not oblivious to the possibility of Jordan Love underperforming in 2023, I don’t believe that the Packers offense falling off a cliff in 2023 is likely. The Packers have the pieces in place to minimize the downside risk of Love not playing at an elite level.
With one of the better offensive lines in the NFL, and Aaron Jones at running back, the Packers have a strong foundation in place. Throw in Matt Lafleur’s scheme and you have an offense built to support Jordan Love.
The whole goal of the Packers scheme, which mirrors the offense under Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco, is getting the ball to receivers in open space and allowing them to pick up yards after the catch. The mastery of Shanahan is the fact that he’s been able to succeed consistently over his years in San Francisco with middle tier QB play.
He’s a genius at scheming up plays to get his receivers in open space. All he’s needed is a QB who can play within his system and not make stupid mistakes. He hasn’t needed a QB with other worldly talent like a Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes to constantly tear up opposing defenses.
Since Kyle Shanahan took over as head coach in 2017 he’s consistently led his offense to being one of the most dominant after the catch. Last year the 49ers were 6th in the NFL with yards after catch (2,192). The Packers weren’t far behind at 11th (2,042).
The Packers know that Jordan Love playing at Rodgers’ level is unlikely. Their goal is to set up an offense that gives Love the best chance to succeed. All Matt Lafleur needs is for Jordan Love to play within his scheme and make the right reads.
He doesn’t need to be as good as Aaron Rodgers for the Packers to be successful. Will it help if Love turns out to be an elite level QB? No doubt. But the supply of elite QB’s is low. It’s wise to build an offense that can thrive regardless of who is taking snaps.
The addition of weapons these past 2 off-seasons points to the Packers desire to have speedy receivers who can pick up yardage after the catch: Christian Watson; 2nd round draft pick from Michigan St, Jayden Reed; 2nd round tight end Luke Musgrave. All 3 of those guys can take it to the house when they’re in open space.
All you have to do is look at the touchdown pass that Jordan Love threw to Christian Watson last year vs Philly to see what the Packers hope to do in 2023. All Love had to do was play in rhythm and hit Watson as he ran across the middle. Watson did the rest.
Jayden Reed has the same ability. The Packers clocked his 40 at 4.37. Then you throw in 3rd round tight end Tucker Kraft who has the strength to run through contact, and you have a Packers offense full of YAC monsters.
Matt Lafleur has an opportunity to prove to the rest of the league that he can be just as masterful as Kyle Shanahan. The Packers hope that even if Jordan Love isn’t “elite” that they can still be just as competitive in 2023.
its ludicrous to think the Packers are going to fall off a cliff. That is the NFL idiots.
Andy Herman said the Packers wanted someone else when they drafted Jordan Love so he is only trade bait like Ron Wolf use to do. Ron would draft a good QB every year and groom him for a future trade. Now its Love's turn, until Danny Etling is ready.