Don't Pack it in Yet

Losing any player on an NFL team other than the quarterback, doesn't mean it's the end of the world. Even in some cases losing your starting quarterback isn't the worst thing on earth either. Even a change under center can be a positive attribute. But in the NFL, football, the ultimate team sport, losing a player at a skilled position like wide receiver doesn't mean the season is over before it starts. Even if that WR is one of the best in the game.

Courtesy of Th Big Lead

This is when coaching comes into play. This is where quarterbacks step up. This is the time for the next player to stand up and make a name for themselves. In this case the team I am talking about are the Green Bay Packers and the player I'm referring to is DeVante Adams. Aaron Rodgers and DeVante Adams had perhaps the best chemistry and most dynamic duo in the league. So I'm certainly not saying that the loss of Adams lining up wide in green and gold won't hurt. It just won't hurt as much as you think.

Did you know that since 2019, the Packers are 7 - 0 without Adams in the lineup?! This obviously shows that Rodgers and company can get the job done without #17 on the field. There's no doubt the Pack would be more intact if Adams was still their main target. However, this team is more than locking in on DeVante and trying to get him the ball every other play.

Aaron Rodgers has proven throughout his career that he can move the ball and score touchdowns with middle of the road receivers. We must also remember that Matt LaFleur is an excellent offensive mind and uses his stud pair of running backs to take the load of Rodgers and the passing game. Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon have proven to be as good a one-two punch as any in the league.

Rodgers has a few new receivers to work with this off-season and develop a rapport as quickly as possible. Veteran and recent former Chiefs and Ravens receiver Sammy Watkins comes to Green Bay as perhaps the most seasoned vet in the wide out group next to Randall Cobb. They are joined by Allen Lazard, Amari Rodgers and rookie Christian Watson who has a lot of potential.

The Green Bay Packers decision makers made some pretty good decisions this off-season and for the record it isn't their fault DeVante Adams left for Vegas. They offered him just as much as the Raiders but ultimately Adams made his choice based off Aaron Rodgers indeciveness. That being said GM Brian Gutekunst and team president Mark Murphy did the best they could to build a championship team in 2022.

Courtesy of Packers Wire - USA Today

Newcomer to the Pack Jarran Reed (DL) from Seattle will help an already solid front seven. They re-Signed Rasul Douglas (CB) and Robert Tonyan (TE). In April the front office decided to draft Christian Watson (WR) and DeVante Wyatt (DL). Both are expected to play often and possibly open the season on the starting roster.

The Packers saw how they lost in the Divisional Round against the visiting San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 playoffs. Special Teams was a key ingredient that led to their quick demise from post season play. So the Packers brought in former Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia who was formerly Las Vegas special teams coach.

The second thing the Packers realized as the playoffs moved along without them is that defense still wins championships. Just look at the Super Bowl. The 49ers defense suffocated the Packers offense. The whole town of Green Bay knows they had a good defense in 2021. But they're looking at a potential great defense in 2022.

The Packers have studs at every position. Starting at the defensive line, Kevin King will get help from rookie DeVante Wyatt, Pututau and Slayton. The linebackers are the key to making the D-Line stronger. Players and leaders like Rashan Gary and Preston Smith pave the way for guys like DeVondre Campbell, La'Darius Hamilton and others. Then on the backside there's a strong secondary which is very important in todays NFL led by cornerback Jaire Alexander. Adrian Amos has proven vital at safety as both a player and a mentor since the Packers took him from division rival Chicago Bears. Darnell Savage is a 4 year vet and has truuly come into his own at the safety position. Cornerback Rasul Douglas was a welcome surprise to Green Bay's secondary as he seemed to thrive in their system after moving around from team to team.

I'm not going to sit here and type out the entire roster. It simply needs to be clear that just because DeVante Adams left the organization doesn't mean the Packers can't have a winning season or dare I say even a Super Bowl run!