The new NFL season has arrived. As it begins, optimism abounds, fueling dreams of what this football team could become. As Friday approaches, I am looking at five key players in the Packers vs. Eagles matchup. The five players that intrigue me the most are, Josh Jacobs, Xavier McKinney, Jaire Alexander, Rashan Gary and Tucker Kraft.
Jacobs and McKinney have joined the team from different organizations. Alexander is recovering from a challenging season full of drama and injuries. Gary is one-year post-ACL surgery, and Kraft shows promise for a standout second season.
Josh Jacobs: The New RB1
For a few hours in March, Packers fans were dreaming at the prospect of a backfield featuring both Aaron Jones and Josh Jacobs, after the Packers signed Jacobs. However, that dream was fleeting. Nevertheless, the Packers announced they were releasing Aaron Jones. Adding insult to injury, Jones was signing with the Vikings.
Josh Jacobs has undoubtedly become the premier running back in Green Bay. Filling the significant void left by Jones is a challenge, yet it presents a tremendous opportunity. In the 2019 NFL draft, the Raiders selected Josh Jacobs with the 24th pick. In 2022, Jacobs became an All-Pro.
Jacobs 2022 season was thrilling with 1,653 rushing yards, 400 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns. Jacobs arguably became the league’s top running back. Nevertheless, the 2023 season fell short of expectations.
The Raiders’ offense struggled with consistency, and frustration was evident throughout the team. The Netflix show “Receiver” highlighted the challenges faced by the Raiders, featuring Davante Adams. Many speculated whether Jacobs had declined since his 2022 season. Facing challenges such as a weak offensive line, a rookie quarterback, and coaching changes, it seemed inevitable that Jacobs would struggle.
In Green Bay, Jacobs is ready for a new beginning. With a more cohesive offensive line, exceptional quarterback performance, and guidance from one of the top coaches, Jacobs will excel. Witnessing Jacobs in such a dynamic offense will undoubtedly be exciting. With all the elements for success at his disposal, anticipation builds for Friday when we’ll see the energy Jacobs adds as the primary running back.
Xavier McKinney: A Star Safety
The Packers are typically not aggressive in pursuing high-profile free agents. However, Xavier McKinney, the safety from the New York Giants, was a notable exception, topping many fans’ wish list. The safety position in 2023 was notably disappointing. It was clear that for the Packers to be genuine contenders, enhancing the safety position was necessary.
Brian Gutekunst’s initial action was acquiring Xavier McKinney through free agency. McKinney had been a standout for the Giants, delivering his finest performance in the 2023 season. McKinney’s natural talent is evident when he plays. He quickly moves to the ball, leads with assurance, and demonstrates strong field awareness.
Additionally, Brian Gutekunst has bolstered the safety position by adding three draftees. This move signifies a massive overhaul of the safety roster. Joining McKinney as a starter will be the second-round draft pick, Javon Bullard. McKinney’s leadership and experience, combined with the talent of the newly drafted rookies, make the safeties a group to watch closely.
Nevertheless, it’s expected that the focus will primarily be on McKinney. It will be interesting to observe how McKinney transitions from the Giants to the Packers. With Jeff Hafley’s new defensive strategies and leadership, McKinney has the potential to build on his impressive 2023 season and become a contender in All-Pro discussions.
Jaire Alexander: An All-Pro Might be Back
Describing Jaire Alexander’s 2023 season as merely ‘interesting’ would be a significant understatement. Alexander was contending with injuries and appeared to be dissatisfied with the defensive scheme. Moreover, during the Week 16 game against the Panthers, he took it upon himself to make himself a captain.
Clearly, one cannot simply appoint oneself as captain. Last year, the Packers implemented a system where they appointed three players to act as captains for each game, rather than having fixed captains for the season. Alexander informed reporters’ post-game that the coach was unaware of his Charlotte origins, which prompted his participation in the coin toss.
Compounding the situation, Alexander mistakenly called the coin toss, indicating the Packers chose to defend, which could have forced Green Bay to kick off. Fortunately, the potential mishap was averted, and the Packers’ coin toss turned out to be correct. However, the Packers suspended Alexander for the Week 17 game for conduct detrimental to the team.
This situation could have left Alexander feeling bitter and unwilling to perform at his best for the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, the suspension served as a turning point for Alexander’s rise. He delivered a dynamic playoff performance against the Cowboys, reminding everyone that the All-Pro Jaire Alexander they knew was still present.
Now, with a new defensive scheme, that Alexander has vocally been in favor of, he has the chance to revitalize his career. Alexander’s performances at training camp have consistently earned high praise, along with recognition for his enhanced leadership skills. Should Alexander return to an All-Pro performance level, the Packers might emerge as one of the league’s premier defenses.
Rashan Gary: One Year Post-ACL Surgery
Rashan Gary was taken off the field on a cart due to an ACL tear on November 6, 2022, which concluded his playing season. The outcome was certainly disheartening, as Gary was starting to demonstrate why the Packers selected him as a first-round draft pick. Gary began wreaking havoc against offensive lines, his undeniable power shining through with every play.
However, Gary’s 2023 season experienced a mix of highs and lows. Several highlights emerged, such as a three-sack performance against the Saints in week three. Furthermore, Gary’s snaps were limited the entire season. Despite some inconsistencies, Gary consistently delivered impressive plays.
Nevertheless, the Packers had faith in Gary’s capabilities. Consequently, the Packers locked in Gary’s signature to a massive contract midway through the season. Securing Gary as a key leader in the defense for the foreseeable future. Watching Gary play with his hands in the dirt promises to be an exciting experience. Gary is well-deserving of the title of leading pass rusher. With all the necessary tools at his disposal, he will have a tremendously successful season following his recovery from ACL surgery.
Tucker Kraft: Potential Breakout Candidate
In addition to their impressive selection of receivers in 2023, the Packers also acquired two promising tight ends. Luke Musgrave from Oregon State and Tucker Kraft from South Dakota State. While Musgrave garnered the majority of attention and fanfare last year, Tucker Kraft quietly began to demonstrate significant potential amidst the crowd.
Watching Kraft in the offense last year was truly enjoyable. Musgrave possesses incredible talent and remarkable capabilities. However, he has consistently struggled to find his footing and often needs to slow down to locate the ball. Kraft stood out particularly in blocking, securing short passes, and accumulating yards after the catch.
Kraft seems well-suited for this offense. It’s likely that we’ll see an increased use of Kraft in the screen game and the red zone, while he continues to be an essential run blocker. He’s a true team player, always ready to do what’s asked of him, and he plays with a ‘run over you’ mentality. He’s my dark horse candidate for the most entertaining player to watch this year.
In Conclusion: Packers Defense vs. Eagles Offense
The matchup between the Packers and the Eagles is a highlight of week one’s games. The Eagles concluded their season on an unstable note. Kicking off with a strong 10-1 start, only to experience a total collapse in the playoffs against the Buccaneers. The season was incredibly disappointing, especially after the anticipation built from a Super Bowl appearance.
Clearly, the focal point for the Eagles is their offensive line. However, this is the first game missing Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce. An absolute staple of the Eagles for years, losing him will leave a significant vulnerability among the offensive line. Key defensive players, particularly Rashan Gary, could significantly disrupt the Eagles’ offensive line.
Jaire Alexander will have tough matchups lining up against the Eagles elite wide receiving core of AJ Brown and Devonta Smith. Xavier McKinney’s presence in the backfield as a safety, coupled with his familiarity with the Eagles from his time with the Giants, will be a significant advantage.
In Conclusion: Packers Offense vs. Eagles Defense
The Eagles’ defense is undergoing significant changes with the addition of Vic Fangio as the defensive coordinator. Fangio is a notable figure in the NFL on the defensive side of the ball. Fangio-style defenses have struggled in recent years. It remains to be seen whether Fangio will modify his approach to align with the evolving landscape of dynamic offenses that are currently prevalent.
The Packers will get to test their new running game with Josh Jacobs at the helm against this new look Eagles defense. Jacobs has the opportunity to make a significant statement, demonstrating that his performance was constrained by the Raiders’ subpar offensive line and lackluster quarterback play. Tucker Kraft could become a key player in the offense, particularly in the screen game, which the Packers have been attempting to refine for years without finding a consistent rhythm.
Overall, there are few better ways to kick off a season than in Brazil, taking on one of the NFC’s top teams, the Eagles. It will be an exciting experience for the vast Packers fan base in Brazil. Here’s to a week that looks forward to Friday and the hope of a Packers victory.
Packers add safety Xavier McKinney on four-year, $68M contract – ESPN
Packers’ Rashan Gary agrees to 4-year, $107.5M extension – ESPN
