Packers: Devin Funchess could add yet another level to offense
The Green Bay Packers‘ offense is coming off a prolific season in which they scored the most points in the NFL, fifth-most yards, and the fewest turnovers. Now, they’re finally adding a 2019 free agent signee in Devin Funchess who will add yet another weapon to this offense.
When Aaron Rodgers returns to Green Bay to take over the reins as the starting quarterback (we’re going to speak this into existence), he’ll have the same dangerous weapons surrounding him. Lined up in the backfield will be the dynamic Aaron Jones whose new partner AJ Dillon brings a power element. At tight end, he’ll have the emerging Robert Tonyan. And at wide receiver, he’ll have one of the best in the game in Davante Adams as well as Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard. However, Funchess–one of the “newcomers”–will also be lined up wide.
It’s easy to sleep on Funchess’ potential impact on this offense. Heck, most fans slept on him when he was first signed to this team last summer. It’s been a while since he’s been a reliable contributor. 2017 to be exact. He missed just about all of 2019 with a serious injury (he only played in one game) before opting to sit out 2020 due to covid. Now he’s ready to get back at it.
After sitting out a year, Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver Devin Funchess is ready to contribute to one of the most potent offenses in the NFL.
“I’m ready to play,” Funchess told the associated press earlier this week. Packers’ head coach Matt LaFleur is also ready to have him “back.” He said, “We are excited about him and just the depth that he adds to that room, the competition that he brings to that room. Here’s a guy that’s played at a high level in this league. He was on that team that went to the Super Bowl in Carolina, so we’re excited just about his mentality and how he comes out on a daily basis.”
Funchess’ best season came in 2017 when he caught 63 passes for 840 yards and eight touchdowns. Although it’s unlikely he’ll replicate those numbers in Green Bay given their plethora of quality receivers, he will be another weapon for this team. He’s a big body at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds who can give cornerbacks fits with his physicality. He can line up on the outside or in the slot which will help him get on the field.
His drops will be something to watch. He struggled with those in the past and now hasn’t played for basically three years. Green Bay already has a few receivers with butterfingers and they can’t really afford another one.
The good news is at 27-years-old he’s smack dab in the middle of his prime so it’s not as if we’re talking about someone on the other side of 30. Funchess will bring another weapon to this loaded offense and he’ll be able to offer insurance in the case of injuries as well.
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With LaFleur calling the plays and Rodgers at the helm, this offense is explosive as it gets. From Jones and Dillon in the backfield to Tonyan, Adams and Valdes-Scantling catching passes, this offense is dynamic as it gets. Then you throw in some of the new weapons like Funchess and it’s just unfair. Buckle up for another exciting season.