2019 Season? It’s a Wrap!

There you have it…..Super Bowl LIV is in the books, Kansas City Chiefs 31, San Francisco 49ers 20. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes won the SB MVP with stats of, 26/42 286 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 4 Sacks, and a QBR of 61.6. Mahomes didn’t exactly tear up the stat line, but as many fans don’t understand, or won’t accept, it doesn’t take gaudy QB stats to win a Super Bowl. Team and balanced play will win most contests. The Chiefs defense accomplished what the Packer’s defense could not, stop the run and force 49er’s QB Jimmy Garoppolo to beat you. That strategy worked, although it took all four quarters. The Chiefs offense has speedy talent, who run precise routes and find the open holes in the defense. Other than Davante Adams the Packers have none of this. These deficiencies in the Packer offense and defense will be addressed in the off season.

This off season will answer several questions for the Packers very soon. Will veterans Brian Bulaga, Blake Martinez, Jimmy Graham, Tramon Williams and a host of others return? Currently GM Brian Gutekunst, HC Matt LaFleur, Mike Pettine and other coaches are currently evaluating film, stats and performance grades to answer those questions. Contracts and money will also play a major role in determining the feasibility of certain veterans returning. I can see the value of bringing Brian Bulaga back as he posted one of his best seasons in 2019. My opinion on Blake Martinez is Gutekunst will not see value in having him return at the price his position will demand. The same philosophy will apply to Jimmy Graham. The Packers could bring Tramon back on a team friendly one year deal.

The 2020 NFL draft has some interesting prospects who could be intriguing for the Packers. Along the Defensive Line Alabama’s Raekwon Davis, 6’6″/316 Lbs would fit nicely next to Kenny Clark and contribute to stopping the run. A piece of the ILB puzzle could be Malik Harrison 6’3″/240 Lbs, Ohio State. An additional starting ILB would have to be signed in Free Agency to be paired with Harrison if Martinez leaves. At Wide Receiver one name keeps surfacing with ties to the Packers is Laviska Shenault 6’2″/220 Lbs, Colorado. The Packers would still have the need for finding a veteran Slot Receiver in Free Agency. Addressing the Offensive Line may take the Packers to a familiar place, Iowa’s 6″5″/320 Lb, Tristan Wirfs, who has played both RT and LT for Kirk Ferentz. This off season will be exciting.

Feel safe in placing your trust in Brian Gutekunst, his scouts along with Matt LaFleur and his staff to put together another highly competitive team in 2020.

As Always, Go Pack Go!

PackerGreg