As I was thinking about what to write for today, a question popped up in my head, that being Who are the Green Bay Packers right now? With such a groundbreaking, franchise altering decision seemingly already made to move on from Aaron Rodgers, the Packers are completely different.
As we sit here today on March 18th, I just wanted to put pen to paper and get a sense in real time who this team is.
Quarterback
Jordan Love is the starting Quarterback for your 2023 Green Bay Packers. After 18 seasons of Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay (15 of them as a starter), the Packers are moving on from the future first ballot hall of famer and moving forward with their 2020 1st round draft pick.
Running Back
Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon remain the 1-2 punch out of the backfield for the Packers.
Wide Receivers
With the departure of Allen Lazard in free agency and the 99% likelihood of Randall Cobb also not returning, the Packers wide receiver room looks like Will Smith at his Uncle’s house in BelAir without any furniture. Currently, the Packers wide receivers who we know will be impact guys in 2023 are Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and…? Samori Toure is still on the team and he could be a guy but other than those 3 players, there’s legitimately nobody.
Tight End
Robert Tonyan signed a 1 year deal with the Chicago Bears on Thursday, leaving the Packers as a free agent after 5 seasons with his favorite childhood team. Marcedes Lewis, also spending the last 5 years with the Packers, is a free agent and is reportedly drawing interest from the Jets and Raiders. That leaves Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis as the Packers TE’s.
Offensive Line
David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan Jr., 4 Packers starting offensive lineman, will all be back with the team this upcoming season barring an unforeseen trade. The Packers recently placed a 2nd round tender on RT Yosh Nijman, making him a Restricted Free Agent. Green Bay will be able to match any offer from another team and keep him if they want to – or get a 2nd round pick in return if he signs elsewhere. Additionally, they’ll have 2nd year players Zach Tom and Sean Rhyan back for 2023. This is a group that should look similar to the 2022 team with the likelihood of another addition or two.
Defensive Line
Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton and Devonte Wyatt will be the top 3 lineman for the Packers in 2023. Jarran Reed recently decided to return to the Seahawks after spending 1 solid year in Green Bay and longtime Packers DL Dean Lowry is a free agent.
Outside Linebacker
Rashan Gary continues to rehab his torn ACL from November, which is reportedly going well. Veteran Preston Smith, who’s been productive for the Packers, will be back too. 2nd year player Kingsley Enagbare, who showed flashes as a rookie, is currently 3rd in line. After that, there’s no guarantee for any current Packer at OLB to be on the team.
Inside Linebacker
2021 1st Team All Pro De’Vondre Campbell and 2022 1st rounder Quay Walker are the Packers starting inside linebackers for 2023. Isaiah McDuffie, who is a solid backup and special teams player, will be back too. The Packers are moving on from Krys Barnes, after he spent his first three NFL seasons in Green Bay.
Cornerback
Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas and Keisean Nixon are all impact players in the secondary that will be back for the Packers in 2023.
Safety
The Packers picked up Darnell Savage’s 5th year option, so he will be back with the Packers for better or worse. Also, it’s unclear if Savage will play safety this season, or be used as more of a slot cornerback. Rasul Douglas has been a talked about option at Safety but it remains to be seen how it will shake out.
Adrian Amos, a very good Packers safety since 2019, is a free agent and it’s unknown if he will return. Rudy Ford, a solid backup and good special teams player last year, is also a free agent.
Kicker
It remains to be seen if the Packers decide to bring back Mason Crosby, their kicker since 2007.
Punter
Pat O’Donnell will be back for his 2nd season as Green Bay’s punter and 10th season overall.
Kick Returner
The Packers were able to re-sign CB/KR Keisean Nixon to a 1 year deal, retaining the 2022 All Pro’s services in Green Bay.
Punt Returner
TBD
Long Snapper
The Packers signed LS Matt Orzech to a 3 year deal. Orzech, previously with the Rams, is likely the front runner to win the job with current Packers LS Jack Coco.
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Alex grew up in a family of Chicago Bears fans in the suburbs of Chicago but was always a Packers guy. Alex\'s AIM name when he was in elementary/middle school was PackerAlex. He now lives in Nashville, Tennessee and you can follow him on twitter at @Alex_Mayer93.
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