The Green Bay Packers offense is about to look a little different this season. Or, at least I hope so. Over the past few seasons, since Jordan Love has taken over, the Packers offense has been more run-oriented than pass-oriented. This season, that will likely change.
This isn’t saying anything about the Josh Jacobs’ situation. Jacobs is a great running back and MarShawn Lloyd sounds like he might be finally healthy, but this Packers team needs to be reliant on the passing game more than what it has been.
It’s finally time to unleash Jordan Love and let him play the quarterback position to its max.
The Packers Weapons Are Ready
And the Packers receiving corps are ready.
Yes, the Packers lost Romeo Doubs in free agency and traded Dontayvion Wicks to the Eagles, but they were willing to do that for a reason. Green Bay has a plethora of receivers.
Tight end Tucker Kraft was on his way to an All-pro season last year before tearing his ACL. Kraft was quickly becoming a safety net of sorts for Love. If Love needed a play, he knew he would be able to get it out of Kraft. Tucker Kraft is a great all-around tight end with good blocking ability. But where the young tight end really shines is in YAC (yards after catch). He is absolutely able to make defenders miss one way or another, be it around them, through them, or even over them.
Then the Packers have Christian Watson, who garners a ton of respect as a deep threat option, but honestly he is more than just that. Watson is game-breaking wide receiver and defenses have to respect him and his overall athleticism.
The Packers also have Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden. Golden is ready for a breakout season with the chance of receiving more of the target share. Jayden Reed is a playmaker who can be utilized all over the field. Reed will play in the slot but already during offseason practices has even lined up in the backfield like a running back.
The Packers have receiving weapons that are ready and Jordan Love is ready too!
Jordan Love is Ready
Jordan Love has shown that he is ready to take on more on the Packers offense. Last season, Love had 3,381 passing yards, 23 touch downs, and only 6 interceptions. Those aren’t best stats by any quarterback, but his opportunities have been fewer than other top end quarterbacks in the NFL.
Last season, Love had 493 dropbacks while NFL MVP Matthew Stafford had 627 dropbacks. So, if one were to do some quick math, Love had 6.86 passing yards per dropback. If that number was extropolated out to Stafford’s dropbacks, Love would have 4,300 passing yards. Love also had roughly a touchdown every .046 dropback. Have that number extropolated over Stafford’s total dropbacks, you have 29 touchdowns.
And of course you can do that same with interceptions, but that would only increase the interceptions to eight. So, if Love would have had more opportunity like that of Stafford, then Love’s stats would have looked more like 4,300 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. Significantly better.
Of course, Loves’ dropback total being less has a lot to do with him missing some time due to injuries. But even with that included, it’s still a lot less. Love simply doesn’t get enough chances and is ready for it.
Run Game Is Still Important
Of course, none of this should take away from the need of having a run game or anything. The play action pass is essential for a lot of what the Packers do on offense. And, of course, the only way to set up the play action is to run the ball. Josh Jacobs and Marshawn Lloyd are very much essential to this team this season. And yes, there is a lot to be still determined on the Jacobs matter but a run game is essential. But, it should no longer be the focus point of this Packers attack.
Love is ready, the receivers are ready. Is Matt LaFleur? Only time will tell.
As always,
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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