Bears vs Packers: Week 1 Preview with Lombardi Ave
2. Aaron Rodgers signed a monster 4-year contract extension this offseason. Is the expectation “Super Bowl or bust” over the course of this contract? What does he need to do to lead the Packers back to the promised land?
With or without this contract extension, Rodgers and the Packers will be hoping to win at least one more Super Bowl before he retires. A failure to do so would be disappointing.
Rodgers needs to stay healthy. When he’s on the field, the Packers will always be competitive. After he went down in 2017, Green Bay effectively lost a season with its two-time MVP.
It’s then on Brian Gutekunst to ensure the roster around Rodgers is strong enough. In his first offseason as GM, Gutekunst brought in Jimmy Graham and drafted three receivers. If one of those rookie pass catchers can make an immediate impact, this offense might be the Packers’ best since 2014.
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3. What about the weapons for the Packers offense? Who will Rodgers be targeting now that Jordy Nelson is gone? How does the running back situation play out while Aaron Jones is suspended? Where does he fit in when he returns?
Davante Adams will be Rodgers’ go-to target this year. Adams had taken on that role last year even when Jordy Nelson was on the field. Adams has 22 touchdowns over the past two seasons and has a great connection with Rodgers.
Jimmy Graham’s arrival will only help, particularly in the red zone. He will be one of Rodgers’ top targets in the middle of the field.
Randall Cobb will continue to do most of his work in the slot, with Geronimo Allison moving up the depth chart to start on the outside opposite Adams.
Mike McCarthy has praised second-year running back Jamaal Williams, and it sure looks like he’ll take on a featured role in this offense. Williams has the edge over Aaron Jones in pass protection, which is key.
Jones was the Packers’ most explosive back last year, so he’ll have an important part to play once he returns in Week 3. But until then, this is very much Williams’ backfield.