Green Bay Packers: This team is capable of a quick turnaround

Do not expect the Green Bay Packers to go into full rebuild mode in 2019, as they have a bright future ahead.

Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears stamped what has been an absolutely depressing 2018 season for the Green Bay Packers. They are now officially eliminated from playoff contention and had to watch their arch nemesis trot off Soldier field wielding the NFC North title. Plenty of changes are in store for this franchise who will soon hire a new head coach to restore glory in Green Bay. Whoever that may be will quickly realize this team isn’t short of a talented young nucleus that can quickly get back into contention with a strong offseason. Of course, that is easier said than done.

Where to begin.

For starters, Green Bay still has Aaron Rodgers who can undoubtedly put forth a few more MVP-caliber seasons with the help of a modernized offense. Rodgers possesses a top-10 wide receiver in Davante Adams (age 26) and a possible star in the making in running back Aaron Jones (only 24). The Packers also used last year’s draft to add three wide receivers who have all shown signs of progression in their rookie seasons.

“I feel really good about this locker room,” Rodgers said last week. “I think we have some of the right pieces in place moving forward.”

One of the main issues with this year’s offense has been inconsistency from the offensive line. Outside of All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari and future Pro-Bowl center Corey Linsley, this entire unit could use a facelift. They are in dire need of a right guard and general manager Brian Gutekunst could very well decide to part ways with right tackle Bryan Bulaga who can’t seem to stay healthy.

Rodgers leads the league in throwaways and third down sacks as the result of spotty pass protection.

That, along with the fact tight end Jimmy Graham is not having the type of season he was expected to have at $10 million per season, brings you to where the offense is today. At 32-years-old, Graham lacks the elusiveness and play-making ability he once had. Green Bay could decide to reshape their group of tight ends by releasing Graham and letting veterans Lance Kendricks and Marcedes Lewis walk in free agency. That leaves developing prospect Robert Tonyan as their starting point for this position.

On the other side of the ball, most of us are hoping the new head coach decides to hang onto defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. Pettine has ingrained a dominating mindset in his group of guys even though the overall talent has not been able to produce.

Guys like Kenny Clark, Mike Daniels, Blake Martinez, Jaire Alexander, and Kevin King gives this defense a lot of hope moving forward. They need to address their pass rush, but that can be done through free agency and the draft. As of right now, the Packers are expected to have three picks in the top 45 of the 2019 draft and plenty of cap space to add some key pieces.

According to Over The Cap, they are projected to have around $35 million to spend in the upcoming free agency. That doesn’t include corresponding moves to re-tool at certain positions. Cutting Bulaga, Graham, and under-performing outside linebacker Nick Perry would move their overall cap space to just over $51 million.

Say the Packers sign a top edge rusher, bring in starters or potential depth players for the offensive line, and re-sign guys like receiver Geronimo Allison and outside linebacker Clay Matthews at a low cost, that still could leave money left over for remaining free agents.

Under the direction of president Mark Murphy and Gutekunst, Green Bay could potentially find an igniting coach and partially renovate a gifted roster to have a strong ending to the final chapter of Rodgers’ career.