Green Bay Packers: 12 Big Questions Entering Training Camp

Training camp is just a few weeks away, here are 12 big questions about this Green Bay Packers team before it begins.

NFL training camps are scheduled to begin at the end of July, which is now just a few short weeks away. And for the Green Bay Packers who finished 2019 at 13-3 and just one game shy of the Super Bowl, there are quite a few questions surrounding this roster.

With limited spending power in free agency, Green Bay would address some key positional needs, however, unlike what we saw in 2019, they were players who have either been injured recently, struggled when they were on the field, or perhaps both.

Then, of course, in the draft, Green Bay went way off script as they traded up in Round 1 for quarterback Jordan Love, took running back A.J. Dillon in Round 2, and converted H-back, Josiah Deguara in Round 3.

So after watching the Green Bay Packers get run off the field in the NFC Championship Game – no pun intended – and with an offseason that didn’t really address any of their major perceived needs, or at least not to level that many were expecting, one big question is, whether or not this team has in fact improved.

However, that won’t be answered during training camp. Instead, we will have to wait and see how the regular season plays out. But I do have 12 big questions about this Packers team that will be answered as training camp and the preseason unfolds.

So without further ado, let’s dive in.

How does Jordan Love look?

Unless there’s an injury to Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love won’t be seeing meaningful playing time this season, but I am still very interested in how he looks during practice. You don’t have to watch a lot of Love’s college tape to see why the Green Bay Packers became enamored with him. However, he’s certainly not ready to be a starting quarterback either.

With such a stark contrast between his 2018 and 2019 seasons at Utah State, which Jordan Love is going to show up to training camp this summer?

Who gains control at slot CB?

Shortly after the draft, GM Brian Gutekunst mentioned that Darnell Savage, Jaire Alexander, Chandon Sullivan, and Josh Jackson would all be competing for primary slot duties. Well, I’d prefer if Savage roams rather than sticking him at one position, and Alexander’s talents are better suited out wide covering WR1.

So that leaves Chandon Sullivan and Josh Jackson. Based on how last season went, you have to think Sullivan is the favorite, but we have to wait and see how it all plays out on the practice field.

How does Rick Wagner look at RT?

This is perhaps the biggest concern entering training camp. Wagner has appeared in all 16 games just one time since 2014, and last season, in particular, he struggled when he was on the field. With no reliable options on the depth chart behind him, at a premier position like tackle, it’s paramount that Wagner regains some of his old form from past seasons.

Who impresses at WR?

I imagine this is the question on everyone’s mind. Who will step up at wide receiver? As of now, Allen Lazard is the likely favorite for WR2 status, but Devin Funchess has found success at the NFL level during his time in Carolina, which includes an 840-yard season in 2017. We hope Marquez Valdes-Scantling can bounce-back this year and Equanimeous St. Brown will be back after missing all of 2019 with an injury as well.

We don’t know who is going to impress, but it’s certainly important that someone does.

Which UDFA surprises?

There’s always a few undrafted free agents that grab the attention of fans and the coaching staff during training camp. Not to mention that the Green Bay Packers have had plenty of former UDFA’s play key roles for them over the years. A few names to keep your eyes on include Stanford Samuels, Tipa Galeai, Darrell Stewart, and Krys Barnes.

Which Year 2 player begins to make the leap?

Many successful NFL players have made that Year 2 leap, and for a Green Bay Packers team that didn’t have a flashy offseason, they’re banking on internal development. Fortunately, the Packers have several players who have the potential to take a big step forward in 2020, and this includes Rashan Gary, Darnell Savage, Elgton Jenkins, Jace Sternberger, Kingsley Keke, Ka’dar Hollman, and Ty Summers.

How do Josh Jackson and Oren Burks look?

As former second and third-round draft picks, respectively, the first two seasons for Josh Jackson and Oren Burks have been a bit disappointing, to say the least. Now in Year 3, it’s really now or never for each player, and if either can show improvement on the field, that’ll provide this Packers’ defense with a nice boost.

How are the rookies affected by this unusual offseason?

So far, all offseason programs have been done virtually, and there are going to be unique circumstances during training camp as well. And for rookies who already have a tall task with becoming acclimated to life at the NFL level, this certainly makes things more difficult.

In looking at Green Bay’s 2020 class, A.J. Dillon, Josiah Deguara, and possibly Kamal Martin are the only three that will likely see meaningful snaps this season, barring an injury, of course. And their impact, at least early on, could very well be limited by this odd offseason.

How are snaps split between Dillon and Williams?

Jamaal Williams is a well-rounded back, being effective as a runner, pass-blocker, and a pass-catcher during his time with the Packers. However, Dillon adds that home run ability that Williams just doesn’t have. Despite Williams’ reliability, the Green Bay Packers didn’t spend a second-round pick on Dillon for him to sit on the sidelines, so I’m curious to see how Matt LaFleur divides up the carries between these two.

Can they stay healthy?

This is always a concern because the last thing we want to see is a key player injured during practice or a preseason game. However, this year, staying healthy means avoiding COVID-19 as well. As I’ve said, it’s been an unusual offseason, and missed time from the virus would only make things more challenging.

Will Taylor push Turner at RG?

It seems that most have assumed Lane Taylor is going to be a backup this season, however, I don’t see it that way. Now, I’m not guaranteeing that he starts by any means, but he will push Billy Turner for RG1 reps. Prior to his injury, Taylor was very reliable at guard for a few seasons, and Turner had plenty of ups and downs in 2019. Turner is far from a lock to be the starting right guard this season, and a veteran like Taylor could take it from him.

How does the ILB depth chart shake out?

This is a position with a lot of question marks. If healthy, Christian Kirksey will be the starter, but after him, it’s really up in the air. As I’ve mentioned, hopefully, Burks takes a step forward, but that remains to be seen. How does rookie Kamal Martin fit in? Will Curtis Bolton bounce-back from his injury? And can Ty Summers prove that he is more than a special teams player?

There are quite a few questions with very little answers at this point.

Now, it may seem odd to some that on a list about the Green Bay Packers upcoming season, quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t included. But truthfully, I don’t really have any questions about him. I’m not concerned about his relationship with Jordan Love, and as he always is, he will be ready to go, and he will be doing Aaron Rodgers-type things when he’s on the field.