With Mark Murphy announcing the start of the Green Bay Packers training camp for July 22nd through his Murphy Takes 5 column, it got me thinking. What are some of the best and most interesting storylines heading into this year’s Packers training camp?
I know training camp is still a month and half a way but the announcement of training camp dates always gets me excited. So, you know what, I’m going to go ahead and enthusiastically look forward to training camp.
Now, without further ado, here is my list of the best and most interesting storylines heading into Packers training camp:
When Will Jordan Love Get Paid? And How Much?
It isn’t a matter of “if” at this point. It’s a matter of “when.”
The Packers have invested several years into developing Jordan Love. They hedged their bets on Love when they drafted him in 2020 and they did it again when they traded Aaron Rodgers to the Jets in 2023. After Love performed so well in the second half of the 2023 season, darn near leading Green Bay past the eventual Super Bowl participant 49ers, he will be looking for a mega extension either before training camp or early on in training camp.
I definitely wouldn’t expect Love to play in any preseason game without some guaranteed money. So, expect Love to get paid within the first two weeks of training camp. It’s only a matter of time.
Now for the other question, Love will likely be paid in the top five of quarterbacks and likely it will be around 53-54 million dollars a year. That is just my guess based on what I have been reading.
For more information on Jordan Love’s contract, check out Felipe Reis Aceti‘s article on Love’s contract structure.
Packers Training Camp: What Will Jeff Hafley’s Defense Look Like?
We already have some insight on what Coach Hafley’s defense will look like thanks to OTA’s, but training will provide even more answers. Now, I don’t think we will really have a full grasp of the defense until September 6th when the Packers play the Eagles in Brazil. But, training camp should provide more answers about what Hafley’s vision for the Packers defense is heading into the 2024 regular season.
Packers Training Camp: Which Receivers Will Make the Team?
Nothing is guaranteed in life and that statement is even more true when it comes to the NFL. However, these wide receivers seem to be a lock to make this Packers team:
- Christian Watson
- Romeo Doubs
- Jayden Reed
- Dontayvion Wicks
Those four are what I would say are nearly absolute locks to make the team. The Packers have mostly just kept six wide receivers on the initial roster. However, they have kept seven on rare occasions in the past, including having kept seven as recently as 2022.
So, that leaves two maybe three other wide receivers to make this roster. Who will it be? Who will step up and take those last spots? Bo Melton? Malik Heath? Grant DuBose? Samori Toure? Julian Hicks? Dimitri Stanley? Former QB, Alex McGough? Those last few spots just have a huge question mark on them.
Injuries?
The Packers currently have a few players who have injuries and are currently recovering. Will those injuries hold them back at the start of camp? What about players who have had chronic injury problems? Did they fix whatever was ailing them? Here are some specific injuries that I’m looking to learn more about and whether or not it will affect these players heading into the Packers training camp:
Christian Watson and Eric Stokes have had hamstring injuries throughout their careers thus far. However, both of them received answers about their hamstring problems and both now sound very confident that they will be ready to go come training camp.
Tucker Kraft has a pectoral injury. He said he felt the muscle pop right off the bone. Not good at all. Will he get back in time for training camp? Will he even make it back in time for the start of the regular season?
What about Lukas Van Ness? In OTAs, LVN broke his thumb. Matt LaFleur didn’t seem too concerned about the injury as he said, “it was just the tip.” I would expect him to be ready for camp.
Finally, Zach Tom, who has made a home out at right tackle and is on the verge of being a superstar in this league, also tore his pectoral muscle. Will he make it back in time by the end of camp? Who will step up in his absence?
Kicker Competition At Packers Training Camp
Finally, how will the kicker competition shake out at camp? Last season, the Packers didn’t bring in any competition for Anders Carlson, but after missing a ton of extra points and a few field goals, including one against the 49ers in the Divisional Round, the Packers brought in some competition for this offseason and training camp.
Green Bay brought in Greg Joseph, the former Vikings kicker, and Jack Podlesny to compete against Carlson. Competition is always a good thing in my book and can only lead to the Packers having a better kicking situation in 2024.
One last question I have here: will the Packers have an actual kicker handle kickoffs or will they try and find someone who can do kickoffs and also play an almost safety role with the new kickoffs? The Chiefs are experimenting with safety Justin Reid doing kickoffs so he can play that very role on kickoffs. Could the Packers try a similar thing?
Can Xavier McKinney kick?
These are what I see as the best and most interesting storylines heading into training camp.
Sorry, I couldn’t help myself after Murphy’s training camp announcement. Maybe I’ll revisit this list the week leading up to training camp.
Either way!
Go Pack Go!
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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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