4 Packers who could regress during 2023 NFL season
The Green Bay Packers are amid a youth movement as they turn to a new chapter in their franchise’s history. However, that doesn’t mean they’ve rid themselves of all veterans on their roster.
The Packers still have key veterans at positions across the depth chart that will help provide depth and leadership this season. But how much will they contribute on the field?
We will find that out. For now, these four players are in danger of regressing during the 2023 NFL season.
These four players on the Green Bay Packers are in severe danger of regressing when the upcoming 2023 NFL season kicks off.
Rudy Ford
Rudy Ford was brought back as a Rich Bisaccia guy and will certainly have a role on special teams where he’s thrived throughout his career. But what will his role look like on defense? He stepped in for a benched Darnell Savage last year and played better than anyone expected. His 74.6 PFF defensive grade ranked 17th among 88 qualified safeties.
Don’t expect anywhere close to that defensive performance again. His previous high grade was 67.4 back in 2019. He’s been a special teamer throughout his career for a reason, as he far too often flies in with reckless abandon, hoping to lay the hammer on the ball carrier. Safety will be an issue for the Packers all season.
De’Vondre Campbell
De’Vondre Campbell was a late offseason signing in 2021 and surprisingly turned in an All-Pro performance. That led to a massive contract extension with Green Bay last year and a return closer to the norm. Still, his 2022 PFF grade of 74.2 ranked 19th among 81 inside linebackers (he posted an 85 grade in 2021).
We’ve already seen him begin slipping closer to career norms, and I expect that regression to continue in 2023. For a reason, the Packers drafted Quay Walker in the first round of last year’s draft. They don’t quite believe in Campbell as a long-term solution at the position and we may see Walker take over more of Campbell’s role as soon as this season.
Preston Smith
The Packers’ outside linebacker positions will be fascinating to watch all offseason and season. Rashan Gary’s recovery will play a massive role, but so will the development of Kingsley Enagbare and Lukas Van Ness.
Preston Smith will be the other starter, but how long can he hold onto that role? He’ll turn 31-years-old in the middle of the season and was never an elite athlete to begin with. He relies on a quick first step that’s already shown signs of diminishing. He could be in for a down season.
Aaron Jones
This hurts to type, as Aaron Jones has been the best Packers’ playmaker not named Davante Adams over the last half a decade. Unfortunately, running back is so physically demanding that it takes its toll on players sooner than later.
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He’ll turn 29-years-old this season. Among running backs with at least 200 rushing attempts last season, he’ll be the second-oldest in 2023–behind only Derrick Henry. Green Bay has done a nice job keeping him fresh throughout his career, but he still has over 5,500 touches.