The Green Bay Packers have been near the top of many NFL power rankings recently, especially since trading for Micah Parsons. For many years the Packers have been hyped up just to fall short in the playoffs, but if there is a time to live up to hype, it’s now.
Jordan Love signed a massive contract extension last summer, and after giving up two first round picks and Kenny Clark for Micah Parsons and handing him a huge $186 million contract, it can only mean the Packers front office wants to win now.
The Packers have been the youngest team in the NFL for two straight years, but that doesn’t last forever. Everyone has heard about the unproven wide receivers, but almost all of them are nearing the end of their rookie contracts. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are both heading into their fourth year, and Jayden Reed is going into his third. Since they are close to the end of their contracts and many of them will not be re-signed, time is running down to go far in the playoffs. Although the receivers struggled with drops last season, I do believe they will only be better.
With all of the moves the Packers have made as well as other big changes around the NFL this offseason, it creates a very favorable set up for Green Bay. The biggest threat to the Packers the last few seasons, the Detroit Lions, lost some key parts to their power, the biggest being former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. While I don’t think the Lions will have quite as big of a downfall as some other major reporters are predicting, I do think the level of play will drop compared to the last two seasons.
The other top team in the NFC North, the Minnesota Vikings, are also set to have a downfall. After losing quarterback Sam Darnold, former tenth overall pick JJ McCarthy will take over as the starter. McCarthy is coming off of a torn meniscus that kept him out all of his rookie year, which means he still has lots to learn to become an elite QB. Although wide receiver Justin Jefferson is still an elite player, he will be without his complementary wideout Jordan Addison for the first three games of the season due to suspension. Along with possible trouble with the passing game, running back Aaron Jones is only getting older and has not been as good in recent years.
Chicago Bear’s new head coach Ben Johnson does seem to have a solid system going, but I still think the Bears are missing some parts to be a top contender in the NFC. These reasons give the Packers a clear shot at winning the NFC North this season, but other teams are only going to get stronger after this season.
With the rising competition around the league, and big moves coming from the Packers, if Green Bay doesn’t bring home a Super Bowl in the coming years, we may not see another championship in Titletown for some time.
