6 Reasons for Optimism in 2023 with the Packers

Speed and Versatility on offense with LaFleur as the play-caller

The skill position players on the Packers offense may be inexperienced, but there is a lot of speed and a lot of versatility. Christian Watson and Jayden Reed both have sub-4.4 speed, while Luke Musgrave and Ben Sims were two of the fastest tight ends in this year’s draft class, not to mention that Tucker Kraft also posted an elite Relative Athletic Score.

The Packers receivers can, for the most part, play both from the slot and out wide. The running backs can line up in the backfield, slot, or out wide, and the same goes for the tight end group, all of which can play in-line, from the slot, or out wide if needed.

What this combination of speed and versatility throughout the position groups does is it allows the offense to achieve that ‘illusion of complexity’ we’ve often heard LaFleur describe. In short, what this means is that defenses are kept off-balanced by the offense being able to run a wide variety of plays from just a few personnel groupings, helping to create mismatches that can then be exploited. In this instance, LaFleur’s scheme is able to do some of the heavy lifting by creating favorable one-on-one matchups or getting guys into space, so not all of that playmaking burden falls on Love’s shoulders.

Jordan Love can win football games

I would say the biggest thing we learned this summer, and the biggest reason for optimism, is that Jordan Love can lead this team to victory. Now, that doesn’t mean the Packers are going to finish with a winning record and make the playoffs. There also is still going to be a learning curve for him in his first regular-season action as the guy, but he has the ability to win games.

Throughout the offseason, LaFleur has mentioned the importance of Love getting the process right, which includes everything from when he enters the huddle to when the ball is released, and if done correctly, the results will follow. Well, the results are following, and Love looks very comfortable with the quarterback process.

He has done well knowing when to try to push the ball downfield or when to try to fit it into a tight window, and also knowing when to hold on to the ball, continue going through his progressions, and when necessary, taking what the defense gives him. Love has also shown that he can throw guys open, has excellent pocket awareness, and has the ability to buy time and create opportunities, not to mention that he remains very calm when under pressure or the pocket is closing around him.

Add all of this together, and when done consistently, it’s a recipe for success.