Predicting Green Bay Packers 2022 starting offense

The Green Bay Packers have most of their starting positions locked in with a few exceptions here and there. That should make for a relatively boring training camp and preseason, although health will always be a factor.

A number of big-time players are returning from major injuries, including three potential starters. You’ll notice Robert Tonyan and Elgton Jenkins are not noted in these starting predictions because this projection is for the beginning of the season. Considering the significance and timeliness of their injuries, they are likely to start the season on the PUP list and not as a Week 1 starter.

With the background laid, let’s check out the Packers’ predicted starting offense.

With training camp set to kick off shortly, let’s predict the Green Bay Packers’ starting offense for the beginning of the 2022 NFL Season.

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers

This is a no-brainer, as Aaron Rodgers is the unquestioned starter. Coming off back-to-back MVP seasons, he’s working on a new deal in Green Bay with, perhaps, more pressure than ever before. He laid an egg in last season’s playoffs and now has fewer offensive weapons to work with. We’ll see how he responds.

Running Back: Aaron Jones

Although Aaron Jones will be the starter by name, he’ll likely split time 50-50 with AJ Dillon. The duo complement each other nicely and offer an array of skills that can be used separately or simultaneously (expect to see them on the field together a lot more often this season).

Outside wide receiver: Allen Lazard

Outside wide receiver: Sammy Watkins

Slot receiver: Randall Cobb

This trio of wide receivers is very uninspiring and doesn’t offer very much upsdie. Lazard has been pegged as the team’s no. 1 guy after never being higher than the no. 3 option throughout his career. The rookies likely won’t be able to contribute immediately and will need some time to get their feet under them and adjust to the speed of the NFL game. That places the burden on three veterans at various points in their careers.

Tight End: Marcedes Lewis

With Tonyan projected to begin the season on the PUP, that leaves Marcedes Lewis as the starting tight end. He’s more of a glorified offensive lineman at this point, but can catch the occasional pass. Green Bay will also look for someone like Josiah Deguara or Tyler Davis to step up in the passing game.

Left tackle: David Bakhtiari

Left guard: Jon Runyan

Center: Josh Myers

Right guard: Royce Newman

Right tackle: Yosh Nijman

This group will look a lot different when Elgton Jenkins returns, as he could slide in at left guard (kicking Runyan to right guard) or at right tackle. For now, this should be the clear-cut starters as long as David Bakhtiari is finally capable of returning from injury. He tore his ACL in December of 2020 and could not play last year (except for the first half against the Detroit Lions in the season finale).

Most battles will come on the offensive line or down on the depth chart. However, that doesn’t make them any less critical, as the Packers’ depth will be closely monitored this offseason.