Every Packers fan wants to see Green Bay succeed in 2025. The ultimate dream, of course, is another Lombardi Trophy. While there are plenty of reasons to feel good about this team, it’s worth staying realistic about the challenges ahead. Next week I’ll highlight reasons for optimism, but for now, let’s go over some potential pitfalls.

Schedule

Vegas isn’t exactly bullish on the Packers. Despite Green Bay’s 11 wins last season and obvious improvements to the offensive line and wide receiver group, sportsbooks set the win total at just 9.5. Why? The schedule. Ten of Green Bay’s opponents posted winning records last year, and seven of them won at least 12 games. That’s going to be a tall order.

Last season, the Packers benefited from facing the AFC South. That was the NFL’s weakest division, and the Packers went 4-0 in those games. This year, they drew the AFC North, which had three teams finish above .500 last year. Add in the always-tough NFC North, where the Lions and Vikings combined for 29 wins. Plus, the Bears look better on paper, and the road to double-digit victories gets much steeper.

Injuries

Every NFL team deals with injuries, but when they strike key players, seasons can unravel quickly. Right now, almost every Packers wideout besides rookie Matthew Golden is banged up. On the offensive line, starters Aaron Banks and Elgton Jenkins have dealt with back issues, a type of injury that can linger throughout the season. Given the lack of proven depth on the interior of the offensive line, the health of those two is critical.

And of course, there’s Jordan Love. After finishing the 2023 season on a high note, Love was viewed as a dark-horse MVP candidate in 2024. But a knee injury in Week 1 derailed his momentum, and later an elbow issue in the season finale left him struggling in the playoffs. If Love goes down, so do the Packers’ championship hopes.

Early Bye

The Packers have a Week 5 bye this year, far from ideal. Teams generally prefer a break closer to midseason to rest, reset, and recover. Unless Green Bay earns the NFC’s No. 1 seed (and the playoff bye that comes with it), they’ll have to play 16 straight weeks to reach the Super Bowl. That’s a brutal grind in such a physical sport. The silver lining? The Eagles also had a Week 5 bye last season and still managed to win a championship.

Defense

Statistically, the Packers’ defense looked solid in 2024, finishing sixth in yards allowed and fifth in points allowed. But those numbers don’t tell the whole story, and the front office did little to strengthen the unit this offseason. GM Brian Gutekunst didn’t select a defensive player until Day 3 of the draft, adding edge rushers Barryn Sorrell and Colin Oliver, defensive tackle Warrin Brinson, and cornerback Micah Robinson. None are projected starters, and both Sorrell and Oliver are sidelined with injuries.

Instead, Gutekunst appears to be banking on internal growth. Former first-round picks Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, and Lukas Van Ness have yet to live up to their pedigree, and the expectation is that they’ll take significant steps forward in 2025. On top of that, proven veterans Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary are coming off down seasons and need to bounce back. For Green Bay’s defense to hold up against a brutal schedule, all of these players must be more productive.

Jaire Alexander Released

Perhaps the biggest blow of the offseason was parting ways with star corner Jaire Alexander, one of the league’s premier cover men. The Packers signed Nate Hobbs to help fill the void, but Hobbs is recovering from meniscus surgery and may not be ready for Week 1. Even if healthy, cornerback remains arguably the weakest position on the roster. If Hobbs misses time, Green Bay’s pass defense could take a noticeable step back.

Conclusion

This article isn’t meant to kill the excitement for 2025. It’s about keeping perspective on the challenges ahead. Opinions on the Packers are all over the map. Some see a legitimate Super Bowl threat, others expect regression, and many have them somewhere in between.

The bottom line? The fewer of these worst-case scenarios that unfold, the higher Green Bay’s ceiling becomes. Check back next week for my “Reasons for Optimism” piece, where we’ll dive into everything that could swing in the Packers’ favor for the upcoming season.