NFL Analysis
1/12/25
8 min read
What's Next For Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers After First-Round Playoff Loss?
The Green Bay Packers whimpered out of the playoffs with an ugly loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and if they want to be considered legitimate Super Bowl contenders in 2025, then they'll need to build a more sustainable offense around Jordan Love.
That would have sounded like heresy to a Packers fan at the beginning of the season, but injuries and concerns about talent and depth at key positions should have Green Bay reevaluating its biggest needs this offseason. The ugliest parts of Green Bay's offense showed up in the 22-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles,
Jordan Love had one of his worst games as a Packer, completing 20-of-33 passes for 212 yards and three interceptions, posting a 41.5 passer rating. Meanwhile, injuries devastated that side of the ball, with Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Elgton Jenkins, and Josh Myers all leaving Sunday's game with injuries.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley deserves credit for keeping the Packers in the game, but if Green Bay wants to stay competitive in 2025, then they need to prioritize building out the offense.
A Wide Receiver Issue
What appeared to be a strength for the Packers heading into the 2024 season has now become one of their top needs heading into the offseason.
The Packers have massive injury concerns at the position heading into 2025. Romeo Doubs will likely return, but a pair of bad-looking concussions are a major concern for his long-term health and future in the NFL.
Christian Watson's availability in 2025 feels like the more immediate concern. The speedster tore his ACL in Week 18 against the Chicago Bears, which means that the most optimistic recovery timetable wouldn't have him back on the field until the tail end of next season.
That's a massive hole for the Packers to fill in their passing game next season. Watson's size and speed make made him the team's top receiver against Man coverage, averaging 3.38 yards per route run according to TruMedia.
However, no other full-time starter showed nearly the same kind of effectiveness against Man. Romeo Doubs was the only other starter above 1.0 YPRR against Man coverage, averaging 1.65 yards per route run.
In theory, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks should be the "next man up" against Man coverage given their skill sets. Reed is a versatile slot receiver who is difficult to bring down after the catch, while Wicks is phenomenal at generating separation as a route runner.
However, both receivers had brutal drop rates this season. According to TruMedia, the two combined for 18 drops this year, and were both in the top five in the league in drop rate among players with at least 50 targets in 2024.
When we say the Packers beat themselves against the Lions this is what we mean: Wicks drops a wide-open TD (not the best throw but come on).
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) December 3, 2024
In three red zone trips, there's a drop from the RB (not perfect throw), a bad throw, and another drop on an imperfect throw. pic.twitter.com/yDrSFqrT7f
There's still hope for development, especially from Reed and Wicks. Drops aren't a stat that typically sticks with a receiver throughout their career, with former Packers wideout Davante Adams being a prime example of that over the course of his career.
However, in order for the Packers to be a legitimate contender next year, they'll need to add some weapons capable of creating separation this offseason.
Offensive Line Depth
For a team that has done such a good job of developing offensive linemen over the years, the lack of depth on the offensive line reared its ugly head on Sunday.
An injury to Elgton Jenkins forced the Packers to roll out late-round rookie Travis Glover at guard. He couldn't have had a worse stint against Philadelphia's front, getting called for three penalties on just a couple of drives before being benched for Kadeem Telfort.
Three penalties on Travis Glover now: an ineligible downfield and two holdings. Elgton Jenkins' replacement is struggling.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) January 12, 2025
Telfort didn't do much better, allowing a pair of pressures and drawing a holding call of his own. He was beat so badly on one pass pro rep that it led to a brutal injury to center Josh Myers, who was carted off of the field.
Myers will be a free agent this offseason, and the Packers suddenly have a real lack of depth in the trenches. First-round pick Jordan Morgan should be back in 2025 after missing most of this year with a shoulder injury, but he'll likely only fill in for someone like Jenkins to kick inside to center.
That doesn't solve Green Bay's depth problem. Expect general manager Brian Gutekunst to continue investing up front in the draft, and with some cheap veteran free agents.
Other Offensive Issues
Green Bay's wide receivers struggling to take the next step in their development, along with a lack of depth up front, are issues that need to be address for the Packers. However, they're not the only issues Green Bay needs to fix this offseason.
Matt LaFleur is a strong offensive-minded coach, but the team needs to revamp it's pure dropback game in 2025. As Brett Kollman points out, Love posted a passer rating of just 77.6 on true dropbacks this season.
A good part of that could be talent, but it also could be an indictment on scheme, with LaFleur struggling to properly utilize the weapons at his disposal.
There's also the matter of Love's health this season. The starting quarterback dealt with knee, groin, and elbow issues throughout the year, missing multiple games and exiting others early. There's a high probability Love played the majority of the season at less than 100 percent, so it will be crucial for the Packers to protect the QB and keep him healthier next season.
Resources to Revamp the Offense
Fortunately for the Packers, they have plenty of resources to make significant changes this offseason.
Aaron Rodgers' dead cap hit is officially off of Green Bay's books, giving them significant financial flexibility to be buyers in free agency. Even after extending Love and signing top free agents in Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney last offseason, the Packers have an estimated $64 million in cap space to work with this offseason, per Spotrac.
That cap space could be used to fill holes with veterans at multiple positions. The Packers could spend some money on a starting cornerback and veteran pass rusher, but could also take a swing on a veteran receiver given how strong this class is.
An under-the-radar name for the Packers to consider? Davante Adams.
5 Years Ago Today: Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams connect for 160 yards and a couple touchdowns in the divisional round vs the Seahawks
— VintageAaronRodgers (@VentageArod) January 12, 2025
Packers win 28-23, January 12th, 2020 pic.twitter.com/LZ6ADlG7Nj
While Adams isn't a free agent right now, the New York Jets are unlikely to keep an aging receiver around if they're serious about a rebuild. In fact, the Jets would only take an $8 million dead cap hit to release Adams this offseason, letting them clear $30 million in cap space in the process.
Adams may not command top-of-market money like he used to, and the former Packers great could want another chance with his old team to make a run at a Super Bowl before his career starts to wind down. Plus, his skill set and ability to beat man coverage (2.67 YPRR against Man this season), would make him an ideal fit as a No. 1 option for Love.
The Packers also have all of their draft picks, with an opportunity to take another swing on a receiver with the explosiveness and play speed to separate deep downfield. Although they've historically shied away from taking receivers in the first round, a Day 2 option like Texas speedster Matthew Golden could be the perfect fit as a do-it-all receiver with the ability to separate vertically.
Matthew Golden is Texas best WR imo pic.twitter.com/FkpHsvggyB
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) December 7, 2024
Other names for the Packers to consider in the later rounds include Tre Harris, Pat Bryant, Kobe Hudson, and multiple other outside receivers who have the size and/or speed to separate against Man coverage.
The Packers have been waiting to clear cap space to start building out a more serious contender, and if Gutekunst can allocate all of his assets correctly this offseason, then Green Bay should take a big step forward to being a Super Bowl contender next season.