What the Packers Need to Do to Get Back in the Super Bowl Conversation
With the NFL season officially wrapped after Seattle’s dominant win over New England, it’s time for 30 other teams to turn the page and start planning their path to next year’s Super Bowl. For the Green Bay Packers, the blueprint isn’t complicated-but it will require some tough decisions and a clear focus on the trenches.
It Starts Up Front: Fixing the Offensive and Defensive Lines
Let’s get this out of the way: special teams drew plenty of heat from Packers fans this season, and not without reason. But if we’re being honest, the bigger issue was up front.
Green Bay simply didn’t control the line of scrimmage well enough, especially when it mattered most. Too often, they couldn’t salt away games with the run, and it cost them.
The two losses to Chicago stand out, but even in wins, the inability to close games on the ground made things harder than they needed to be.
The offensive line needs a reset, starting with Jordan Morgan. Drafted as a left tackle, Morgan spent his rookie season being cross-trained across the line.
That’s fine in theory, but with Rasheed Walker likely heading out in free agency, it’s time to let Morgan settle in at LT and grow into the role. The Packers need stability there, and Morgan has the tools to provide it-if he’s given the reps.
Assuming Zach Tom returns healthy and Morgan locks down the left side, the interior of the line still has big question marks. Elgton Jenkins is unlikely to return, and Sean Rhyan could be on the move as well.
That leaves Jacob Monk as one of the only viable center options currently on the roster. Ideally, Green Bay finds a way to land a proven center like Tyler Linderbaum, but whether it’s free agency or the draft, expect multiple investments in the interior offensive line.
Defensively, the line is in a similarly uncertain spot. Rashan Gary’s future with the team is unclear, and Lukas Van Ness hasn’t shown enough to be penciled in as a full-time starter yet.
Micah Parsons and Devonte Wyatt are both coming off significant injuries, and beyond them, the depth chart is mostly second-year players and rookies. That’s not going to cut it.
If the Packers want to get back to being a physical, disruptive defense, they’ll need to reload the front four. Look for the draft and free agency to be heavily focused on both sides of the line.
Kicker Competition Is a Must
Brandon McManus had a strong debut season in Green Bay, but year two was a different story entirely. He attempted just seven kicks from 40-49 yards during the regular season-and missed four of them, tying for the league lead in that category.
In the postseason, things got even worse: 1-for-4 on field goals. That’s a 25% conversion rate, and the lowest FG percentage in the league over the past two playoff runs.
You don’t need to be a stats junkie to know that’s not going to cut it. While spending another draft pick on a kicker might feel risky after the Anders Carlson experiment, the Packers have to bring in legitimate competition.
This is a position that cost them multiple games last season. They can’t afford to let it happen again.
Cornerback Help Would Be Nice (But Not Urgent)
Let’s not overreact here. Yes, the cornerback play tailed off late in the season.
But that was as much about the lack of a pass rush as it was about the corners themselves. Once Wyatt and Parsons went down, the pressure dried up-and that exposed the secondary.
It’s tough to cover for five seconds in today’s NFL, no matter who you are.
That said, adding a corner wouldn’t hurt. Whether it’s a mid-level free agent or a Day 2 draft pick, Green Bay could use one more body in the mix.
A reunion with Eric Stokes, who had a bounce-back year in Oakland, might make sense. He knows the system, he’s still young, and he’d add depth.
This isn’t a panic-button position group, but it’s one that could use a little reinforcement.
And Yes, a Little Luck Would Help Too
Here’s the part nobody likes to talk about: sometimes, it just comes down to luck. The Patriots had a cakewalk schedule, and their toughest AFC playoff opponent lost its quarterback the week before they met.
Seattle? They got a huge break when the Vikings fumbled the bag and let their best QB walk.
Oh, and the Seahawks were also one of the healthiest teams in the league.
Green Bay wasn’t so fortunate. Injuries piled up, and some of them hit the team’s most irreplaceable players.
That’s not an excuse-it’s just reality. Every team preaches “next man up,” but there are some guys you just can’t replace.
The Packers had their fair share of bad bounces and untimely injuries this year. If that evens out next season, they’ve got a real shot to be in the mix.
Final Thoughts
There are real holes on this Packers roster, no doubt about it. But this isn’t a team in need of a full rebuild.
The foundation is there. With the right moves in the trenches, a more reliable kicking game, and a little bit of health-related good fortune, Green Bay could be right back in the hunt next February.
The Super Bowl window isn’t closed. But it’s going to take some smart roster building-and maybe a four-leaf clover or two-to push it wide open again.