Green Bay Packers 10 Keys to success: #6 New Faces/New Places

The Green Bay Packers spending spree this offseason gave them renewed expectations as all of those players are expected to play key roles in 2019.

Former Green Bay Packers’ GM Ted Thompson never would have done something like this. That’s why it was so surprising when Brian Gutekunst signed four separate free agents to big-money deals.

Under Thompson, the Packers had developed a reputation of being incredibly conservative in free agency. With Thompson’s propensity to essentially ignore that form of player acquisition, it’s a reputation that was well-earned.

However, this past offseason played out much differently. First, it was Za’Darius Smith who was signed. Then Adrian Amos a few minutes later. Shortly after, Preston Smith followed and Billy Turner rounded out the free agent spending spree.

The additions of these players were a sign of a few things taking place at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

First of all, there was a new order in Green Bay and Brian Gutekunst is firmly in charge now. Secondly, the Packers were all in on getting back to the playoffs in 2019 and they’re also all-in on the final stages of Aaron Rodgers’ career.

While they have made some moves since that time to keep their long-term interests in order, these moves were all focused on the present.

Za’Darius Smith

This biggest signing of the group money-wise was Za’Darius Smith as he is the player that received the most guaranteed money. Smith was sought after by several teams around the league before deciding to sign in Green Bay and with the contract he was given, that gives Smith a lot of responsibility.

In addition to performing on the field, however, Smith is part of a new group of leadership that is taking place on the Green Bay defense. A lot of the old faces are gone. Smith was brought in to give the defense a new face of leadership and a presence of toughness that has been missing in recent memory.

Smith will also be tasked with leading rookie Rashan Gary and teaching him his new position. So far the two seem to have formed a bond early during their time together in Green Bay. Smith needs to be the player the team signed him to be and up to this point, all the signs point toward him being that type of player and leader.

Adrian Amos

Safety Adrian Amos was brought in to fix what was arguably the worst position on the Packers a season ago. Amos is an assignment sure player that brings leadership to the back-end of the defense.

Amos doesn’t have the sexy numbers, but he wasn’t asked to be a playmaker in Chicago’s defense. Regardless, his reliability in coverage will give the Packers an element they didn’t have on defense last season, which is they will be able to make calls and trust their safeties to do the correct assignment.

Preston Smith

Preston Smith was perhaps the biggest surprise of the Green Bay Packers’ free agent signings. They had already signed Za’Darius, which led many to believe the Packers were done brining in new players via free agency.

Instead, they brought Preston in about an hour after they had signed Za’Darius. Preston is another long, athletic pass rusher that fits the mold of what Mike Pettine wants on his defense.

His job will be to provide a complement to Za’Darius and keep teams from focusing too much on him. Preston Smith has had the ability to get hurries and disrupt the quarterback but he doesn’t have the big sack numbers.

The hope is that Preston will be able to convert some of those pressures into sacks moving forward.

Billy Turner

Lastly, Billy Turner was the least sexy of the free agent signings but could turn out to be the most important.

The Packers’ guard play last season was absolutely atrocious. Lane Taylor was injured, while Justin McCray and Byron Bell were just a little more than turnstiles for most of the year.

Turner was brought in to be the starting right guard. However, he also offers a contingency plan at right tackle if Bryan Bulaga were to miss time with injuries. What position Turner plays in 2020 remains up in the air, but for 2019 he’s the starting right guard.

Aaron Rodgers has gone out of his way several times to praise Turner for the presence he brings to the offensive huddle. He should form an excellent tandem on the right side of the offensive line with Bulaga.

Most importantly, he’ll help protect Rodgers, which even with all of the changes that have taken place is still the name of the game in Green Bay.

All of these players need to play big roles in 2019, that’s why they were brought in and that’s why they’re being paid the way that they are. For the Green Bay Packers to return to the postseason, they need their investments to pay off.