The Packers offense can be better! There is no doubt about it. They have the players needed to be successful and to be competent this season. The Green Bay Packers just have to put the pieces they have together the right way. They have not been successful with it through the first six weeks of the season but they also haven’t changed much in the first six games of the season either. This sounds like a bad thing but one shouldn’t want their professional sports teams to have too quick of a knee jerk reaction so to speak. But, with six games down and a record of 3-3, it is time for a change. What should the Green Bay Packers be doing differently?
The Quarterback
There is a ton of talk about Aaron Rodgers being washed out on the internet and some people are even calling for Jordan Love to finally get some love at the position (even though some of the people who are asking for this are those who were hardest on Love’s draft pick).
Is this a change that needs to happen?
Short answer, no. Aaron Rodgers is still the cerebral quarterback he has always been on the field and helps reduce many of the turnovers that a young quarterback would bring. That isn’t to say Rodgers doesn’t need to be better, because he does. It seems that he is constantly starting his reads on the wrong side of the progression of the play. That has a ton to do with his pre-snap reads of the defense. This could be illusionary though, too. Rodgers could be reading the defense right but the receiver(s) could be doing something Rodgers wasn’t expecting. The four-time MVP has shown time and time again that he is an elite quarterback and even has shown some bright spots this season, so no. Ultimately, Rodgers should not be replaced. He needs more time with the players he has been given.
The Offensive Line
There are two changes that seem to be proposed the most from fans and media alike with regards to the Packers offensive line:
- Simply replace Royce Newman with Zach Tom.
- Replace Royce Newman with Elgton Jenkins (who has been struggling at right tackle) and have Yosh Nijman play right tackle.
Is this a change that needs to happen?
Yes, Royce Newman should not be in the starting lineup after six weeks of the season. He has allowed the most pressures this season and has made the offensive line look extremely weak. The offensive line works as one unit and if even one player in that unit is not playing up to par, it hurts the whole line. The offensive line has easily been the weakest spot on the Packers offense and it has hurt the whole team because of it. Most of the problems seem to stem from Royce Newman at the right guard position. This isn’t to say Newman can’t be good in the future but through six weeks, he has done more harm than good.
So which choice should the Packers go with in replacing Newman? I think the simplest fix is the best fix. I know Elgton Jenkins has looked rough at Right Tackle, but that is a position he needs to play now and in the future. He is too good to give up on at a premium position. Plus, Jenkins is going to be paid like a tackle so the Green Bay Packers are going to want him to play well at a tackle position. So the answer is plug in Zach Tom at right guard and bench Royce Newman. See what you have in Tom.
The Running Backs
What do the fans think about the current running back situation for the Packers and what should be changed with regards to them? Well, this one is fairly simple. Run the ball! And not just run the ball but run the ball more with Aaron Jones.
Is this a change that needs to happen?
Yes! Please for goodness sake, RUN THE BALL! I also would like to point out that AJ Dillon has not looked all that great this season thus far but I don’t think that constitutes ignoring him completely. He is a game changing, change-of pace back for Aaron Jones and needs to be utilized, but Aaron Jones is playing great this season and needs to have the ball in his hands more often because he is honestly the Packers best playmaker going into Week Seven of this NFL season. However, this change won’t make much of a difference if the offensive line change doesn’t happen. Can’t run the ball well if the offensive line keeps allowing defenders in to stop the run in the backfield.
The Wide Receivers
The change that most media members and fans alike are clamoring for: the Packers to trade for a top end wide receiver or to sign O’Dell Beckham Jr.
Is this a change that needs to happen?
I’m probably in the minority here when I say this, no. I don’t think it is a change that needs to happen. They don’t need to sign or trade for a high end player at the receiver position and sacrifice the future for the now. If they can get Beckham Jr. on the cheap and he can play meaningful snaps in December and January then great but they do not need to sell the future. I believe they have the receivers to be successful already on the roster.
Conclusion
If the offensive line can improve, the Packers effectively run the ball well and often, and Rodgers can get in sync with his pass catchers, then this should be enough to put them over the edge and allow them to be able to make a run at a championship.
Damon is a diehard, fully-immersed cheesehead who currently lives in southern Missouri. He teaches at a local high school and has a family YouTube channel about all things Packers. You can follow him on twitter at @packersfamily and on YouTube at The Packers Family.
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