Can the Green Bay Packers become one of the best offenses in the NFL with Jordan Love at quarterback and a young wide receiving cast?
One NFL analyst believes so.
“next season and for the next few years, this could be one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL and I think it has unlimited upside,” Louis Riddick said during a recent appearance on ESPN's “NFL Live.” Said.
There have only been three years when the Packers had the No. 1-ranked scoring offense in the league and with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, they had a top-10 offense in 10 of the past 15 seasons.
Three years later, almost everything has changed.
Dear Will be the quarterback. The wide receiver room has completely changed under the leadership of all first and second year players Christian Watson and Romeo Daub teaming up with rookies Jaden Reed And Dontevian Wicks. And the tight end position will be anchored by the rookies luke musgrave And tucker craft,
“You have to take it slow and be willing to live with the bumps in the road,” said Riddick, a former NFL player, scout and member of two front offices. “You have to give them some time.”
What is a successful season for Jordan Love and the Packers in 2023?
Riddick's fellow panelist, former NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, had a simple response when asked how success would be defined for Love in Year 1 as a starter.
“Okay, don't screw it up,” Johnson said bluntly.
Johnson stated that if Love could lead the Packers to the eight-win mark – the Packers' total the previous season – or slightly better, and could show Packers management that he had improved, it would be a successful season. Of note, the Packers' offense in 2022 dropped out of the top 10 in scoring with Rodgers playing every game, ranking 14th and his 21.8 points average 10 points below his league-high 2020 season. And in Rodgers' first season as a starter in 2008, the Packers finished 6–10, a year after going 13–3.
“Show us you've evolved since sitting on the bench,” Johnson said. “Show us what the Green Bay Packers saw in practice and the little bit of games you've played, what you've learned from it, that you've gotten better. I think he'll be successful. I think he'll be Aaron with the bat.” Rodgers can't.”
Riddick explained that the Packers should bow out to one of the best offensive lines in the NFL and running back tandem. Still, management's expectations will be key for Matt LaFleur and his coaching staff, who have so much inexperience throughout the offense.
Do The Packers Need To Sign A Veteran Wide Receiver?
So, given the receivers' lack of NFL experience, should the Packers add a veteran wideout? Johnson doesn't see this as a necessity.
“I think you can expect them to be core,” he said. “As long as you have an experienced wide receivers coach and an experienced offensive playcaller, they'll be fine.”
Jason Vrable enters his fifth season with the Packers and second as wide receiver/passing game coordinator. He had previously served as the wide receivers coach for two years and was an offensive assistant for one season. He came to the Packers with six years of NFL coaching experience.
Adam Stanwich is in his second year as offensive coordinator, but Lafleur is the playcaller.
“A lot of people look at it the wrong way,” Johnson said of the need for veterans. “I understand it was Aaron Rodgers and there were high expectations in Green Bay. But you have to give him the opportunity and the chance.”
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This article originally appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Can the Packers Return to the Top Offense in the NFL With Jordan Love?