The Green Bay Packers have reached their bye in week six of the 2023 season, befuddled by a 2-3 record and by nearly every statistical measurement, they are in obvious search for some measure of consistency. After nearly three decades of automatically being included in championship conversations because a Hall of Fame bound quarterback was at the controls, rightfully raising annual Super Bowl or bust expectations among the fan base, the first five weeks of this season with a first time starting QB have certainly diminished those hopes if not caused a touch of panic in some circles.
But really folks, this is what YOUNG looks like. The league’s greenest team is struggling mightily, especially on the offensive side. Jordan Love roared out of the gate with six touchdown passes and no interceptions over the first two games, he’s thrown 2 scoring passes to a half dozen picks in the last three, dropping his passer rating to an unsightly 77.3. Turnover responsibility doesn’t rest solely on his right arm, yes he’s made a couple of bad decisions but he’s throwing to a receiving corps that has been far from precise in route responsibilities and at times, shaky hands. There have been protection breakdowns with an offensive line playing bookend tackles getting their NFL feet very wet. Finally, Head Coach Matt LaFleur has yet to adjust his play calling and entire scheme to account for kids who are trying to execute plays like veterans.
Sure, injuries have played a role. One of the best left tackles in the game, David Bakhtiatri, won’t be coming back. Pro Bowl guard Elgton Jenkins hurried back after a sprained MCL. The most experienced playmaker on the offense, Aaron Jones, couldn’t finish the Chicago opener, saw only spot duty a month later against Detroit and was a late scratch before Monday night’s debacle in Las Vegas.
Getting healthy over the bye is paramount and getting better play is critical if this season has any hope of taking an upturn. Needless to say, the staff and players have a lot to work on before they take the field again on October 21 in Denver.
The most concerning issue is, just what are the Packers actually good at with the ball? When LaFleur was queried Tuesday about offensive identity, he was asked if even knows what that means? Do the Packers have one? And was does he think it might be? The question sparked a career long five minute answer to a single question and here’s the response in it’s entirety.
LaFleur is debating whether to scale back game plans, maybe simplifying things for his young playmakers. Then again, easy plays for an offense might make it easier for defenses to defend. The key is accepting the fact mistakes are going to be made, they just can’t afford to be repeated and LaFleur said there is something to be said regarding growth through failures.
He just wants the squad to come back next week with a renewed sense of urgency and a determination to improve. He resists the narrative of coaching a young or injured team, it’s the hand that’s been dealt but after seeing the first five cards laid on the table this season, it’s clear the ’23 Packers have an identity crisis on their hands.
The bye week is also a time to heal. Updates from LaFleur into the rest time ahead regarding Jones, “we’re hopeful” to get him back full time. Monday night injuries to Quay Walker (knee) and Darnell Savage (calf) do not appear to be serious but they’ll know more once the players are back in the building next week.
A curious personnel move was made Wednesday. After running back Patrick Taylor was signed to the active 53 man roster ahead of the Raiders game once it became known Jones couldn’t play, he was released by General Manager Brian Gutekunst in order to bring back veteran linebacker Justin Hollins who was cut on Monday to make room for Taylor. Gutekunst hopes Taylor clears waivers so he can be brought back to the practice squad and have another 3 game set of game day activations from that unit if he’s needed again down the road.
One last note regarding an upcoming opponent. After the Packers play the Broncos in Denver, making it four road trips out of the first six games played, Green Bay returns home on October 29 to get their first look at the Minnesota Vikings but they won’t see star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. The Vikings placed Jefferson on injured reserve this week because of a hamstring injury meaning he won’t be available for the game at Lambeau.
