Green Bay made the playoffs after a 2-5 start last season, and they appear to be a legitimate contender in the NFC. If you like the analysis here, consider signing up for our free newsletter to get can’t-miss NFL news and insights straight to your inbox every week.
- 2023 finish: 9-8 (second in NFC North); lost to SF in Div. Round
- Over/under: 9.5 wins
Notable additions
RB Josh Jacobs, OT Andre Dillard, S Xavier McKinney, K Greg Joseph, DC Jeff Hafley
Notable losses
RB Aaron Jones, RB Patrick Taylor, TE Josiah Deguara, OT David Bakhtiari, OT Yosh Nijman, G Jon Runyan, LB De’Vondre Campbell, S Darnell Savage, S Jonathan Owens, S Rudy Ford, DC Joe Barry
2024 draft class
OL Jordan Morgan (1.25), LB Edgerrin Cooper (2.45), S Javon Bullard (2.58), RB MarShawn Lloyd (3.88), LB Ty’Ron Hopper (3.91), S Evan Williams (4.111), Jacob Monk (5.163), S Kitan Oladipo (5.169), OT Travis Glover (6.202), QB Michael Pratt (7.245), CB Kalen King (7.255)
Projected starters
QB: Jordan Love
RB: Josh Jacobs
WR: Romeo Doubs
WR: Jayden Reed
WR: Christian Watson
TE: Luke Musgrave
LT: Rasheed Walker
LG: Elgton Jenkins
C: Josh Myers
RG: Jordan Morgan (R)
RT: Zach Tom
DE: Rashan Gary
DT: Kenny Clark
DT: Devonte Wyatt
DE: Preston Smith
LB: Edgerrin Cooper (R)
LB: Quay Walker
CB: Jaire Alexander
FS: Xavier McKinney
SS: Javon Bullard (R)
SCB: Keisean Nixon
CB: Eric Stokes
2024 outlook
The Packers saw all they needed to see from Jordan Love in the final eight games of last season to give him a four-year, $220 million extension last month, and the numbers were undeniable with an 18:1 touchdown-interception ratio and 6-2 record to get Green Bay into the postseason. Matt LaFleur deserves significantly more credit than he gets as a play-caller and schemer, but Love capitalized on the situation after a few years learning under Aaron Rodgers, and the playoff experience—even if the win over Dallas was followed up by disappointment in San Francisco—will do him well for the future.
Also, it helps to be able to grow with an extremely young offense that can grow together on the offensive line and at the skill positions, particularly at wide receiver where Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, and Bo Melton all shined at times—making the Packers very difficult to defend. With the physical Josh Jacobs signed to lead the backfield, Green Bay won’t be a fun team to face when the weather gets colder.
The defense is also expected to be more physical in 2024, and the increased aggressiveness under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is a big reason for it. In the secondary, the rebuilt safety duo of Xavier McKinney and rookie Javon Bullard will be a help for Jaire Alexander and the cornerbacks, but what the Packers are able to do up front to create pressure will determine the overall improvements of the unit.
Position battle to watch: Linebacker
This might be a surprising one, but Green Bay’s roster is pretty much settled among consistent contributors—so linebacker is a sneaky position to watch during the season. Second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper should eventually rise to become the top linebacker, and the selection at least puts Quay Walker on notice, especially with Isaiah McDuffie playing well as a starter in 2023.
Breakout candidate: WR Romeo Doubs
The other wideouts for the Packers have drawn more buzz this offseason, but Doubs has plenty of indicators for a full-fledged breakout after catching eight scores last year—including a tremendous postseason (lines of 6/151/1 and 4/83), trust from his coach and quarterback, a well-rounded skillset, and great intangibles as the leader of the room. Plus, a stamp of approval from Jaire Alexander doesn’t hurt.
Circle on the calendar: Week 14 (@ DET) | Thursday, December 5 – 8:15 PM ET
I want to highlight the entire stretch from Week 13 through Week 16 with the Packers having four consecutive primetime games—taking on the Dolphins (Thanksgiving), Lions (TNF), Seahawks (SNF), and Saints (MNF). The matchup versus Detroit in particular could carry huge importance in the NFC North race to begin December.
Bottom line
The Packers have plenty of young talent on both sides of the ball, and Jordan Love playing like he did in November and December of last year would make them a top contender in the NFC. A decline is possible, though, and we’ll see if the new-look defense lives up to expectations.