This time of year can always be so stressful. This is especially true when one wants to make sure to get that special someone the perfect gift. Oh wait! Are you saying the special someone you want to shop for this year is the Green Bay Packers? Well, let me help you make this season less stressful by telling you exactly what the Packers want and need! This is my list of Christmas gift ideas for the Green Bay Packers.
Christmas Idea Number One
This first gift idea is simple. The Packers need a new defensive coordinator. Now, personally, it can be hard to look past the human element. I really feel for Joe Barry. It can’t feel good to know that an entire fan base wants you fired. But, when somebody can’t perform well at their job and refuses to adapt, then the only solution is for them to be let go.
It is time for Joe Barry to go.
The Packers need a defensive coordinator in a bad way. Here is my list of defensive minds that the Packers could look to fill the job:
- Ejiro Evero (a long shot because he is still employed by the Panthers, but maybe.)
- Al Harris (a bit of a mystery from the coaching perspective but he has those Dallas Defensive Backs playing aggressive.)
- Jim Leonard (he told the Packers no before, but now that he isn’t employed by Wisconsin, maybe he would say yes.)
- Dave Aranda (current head coach at Baylor but with NIL might look to make the jump to the NFL.)
- Marquand Manuel (currently works with LaFleur’s best friend Robert Saleh and worked with LaFleur in Atlanta. Manuel helped develop the Legion of Boom with Seattle.)
Number Two
Keeping with the theme of defense, the Packers really want to have more run stuffers. For as long as I have known the Packers, they have really lacked the ability to stop the run and they want that to change. I mean, my goodness, they still have flashbacks of multiple 49ers running through their defense. This season has been no different with the Packers run defense. The Packers currently have the 30th ranked run defense.
That isn’t good.
So, to help this, the Packers really need to build up the spine of their defense. This means that they need either improved play or improved players at the following positions:
- Defensive Tackle
- Inside Linebacker
- Safeties
Number Three
Christmas gift idea number three for the Green Bay Packers is for their offensive line to continue to improve. They aren’t doing too bad honestly, but their run blocking needs some improvement. However, their pass blocking has been on point. Zach Tom has been lock down at Right Tackle and Rasheed Walker has impressed at Left Tackle for such a young player. Elgton Jenkins has been doing great at left guard. The weak spots are center and right guard with Josh Meyers and Jon Runyon Jr..
Both of those spots could be improved. Runyon’s contract runs out this season, which is probably why the Packers have been rotating in Sean Rhyan. Josh Meyer’s contract expires after next season. Meyers has been playing better as of late but could always be more consistent.
Honestly, the Packers probably already have the gift on the team with Sean Rhyan. He needs to have more playing time.
Number Four
This Christmas gift idea is one that the Packers have been missing all year, and that is a run game. Part of the problem with the run game this year is the injuries that Aaron Jones has experienced all season. The other problem has been the run blocking. Jordan Love has been having a great first season without a run game and I can’t help but wonder what it would have been like with one. So, I think the Packers would love a run game for Christmas.
Next season is going to be weird when it comes to the run game. AJ Dillon isn’t under contract for next season and Aaron Jones’ cap number is too high to maintain at its current number. This could mean that he could be gone after this season too. If this is the case, then the Packers are going to have to overhaul their entire run game. A great run game to help their young-developing quarterback is exactly what the Packers are gonna want.
Christmas Gift Idea Number Five
Gift number five is already in development and the Packers want it in a bad way. This Christmas gift is the continual development of this young-explosive offense. Jordan Love and his pass catching weapons could develop to wreak havoc on the NFL for years to come. This is exactly what the Packers want! This is number one of their list! Jordan Love, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Malik Heath, Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft – with all of these guys, the Packers could be set for a long time. So for Christmas, they would just love for them to continue to gel.
Bonus Christmas Gift Idea
Finally, this last one is a longshot but the Packers would love to make the playoffs. Now nobody is saying that the Packers, if they make the playoffs, will find some way to go on a run and win the Super Bowl. Nobody is saying that at all. However, if this young team could get some playoff experience, it could set the right mentality heading into 2024 and beyond. The more experience the better. Let’s hope they can get that experience.
I for one want the Packers to receive all of these gifts and more!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all who celebrate!
——————
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.
——————
