The Packers offense is going through a transformation before our eyes. At surface level, the departure of Davante Adams and more recently Marquez Valdes-Scantling has left offense looking incomplete at best, a shell of itself at worst. While it’s important to note that it is extremely early in the offseason and the draft is still a month away, there seems to be a clear vision of where Matt Lafleur wants to take the offense. Focusing on a devastating run game, coupled with the intelligence and playmaking ability of Aaron Rodgers, the Packers will look evolve even further into a true Matt Lafleur offence. They are building an offense that will rely more on scheme and less on specific playmakers.
The biggest building blocks are already in place. Running backs Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon will be heavily relied on this year. Controlling time of possession and maximizing every offensive possession is going to be two of the cornerstones of the offense. Jones and Dillon can keep the chains moving. They can punish and wear down defenses, forcing teams to commit additional resources to slow them down.
Too often last season the Packers got away from the run game to focus the offense through Aaron Rodger and Davante Adams. Clearly that isn’t going to be the case now. Instead, the focal point will need be through the running game and then have the pass play off of it. The amazing thing is that this could actually make the Packers offense more explosive.
A punishing run game is demoralizing for opposing defenses and will force them to commit to stopping it, putting them out of position for Aaron Rodgers. He will be able to frequently take advantage of defenses focus being on the run game, whether that’s play action or the famous ‘illusion of complexity’ in the Packers offense. In addition to true play action, straight up pass plays look that like running plays are going to be common in 2022.
The Packers offensive depth chart is far from completed and the Packers will be adding significant talent between ongoing free agency and the draft. The Packers are undoubtedly going to add playmakers on offense, but it’s likely many of the major playmakers in 2022 are already on the roster. One thing is completely clear; for better or worse the Green and Gold are going to look significantly different on offense this year.
Jordan is a lifelong Packer fan who grew up in Idaho and now lives in Seattle, Washington. You can follow him on twitter at @jordantwolf.
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