Packers roster among NFL's 'most complete,' but with caveats entering 2025
Packers roster among NFL's 'most complete,' but with caveats entering 2025
NFL.com's Eric Edholm picked the Green Bay Packers as one of his 10 "most complete" teams entering the 2025, and while Edholm doesn't see many "major red flags," there are caveats to the Packers' positioning as one of the best rosters this season.
Can a good team on the cusp take the next step?
Brian Gutekunst's draft strategy -- especially in the post-Aaron Rodgers era -- has created a young and talented roster that has made back-to-back playoff appearances and should be ready to compete in 2025.
"Brian Gutekunst was promoted to general manager in 2018, and the Packers have selected 80 players in his eight drafts -- an average of 10 per year, for the non-math majors out there. This volume-heavy approach has allowed them to field one of the league's most solid and competitive rosters up and down," Edholm wrote.
The caveats are obvious. Quarterback Jordan Love must stay healthy and play better at the game's most important position, the Packers defense needs more from a talented but inconsistent front, and Jaire Alexander must return at cornerback.
Love suffered a Week 1 injury and, at times, labored through his second season as the starter. The wide receivers -- who won't have Christian Watson for a chunk of 2025 -- must catch passes more consistently. Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Lukas Van Ness and Devonte Wyatt must power improvement rushing the quarterback in the second year of the Jeff Hafley era. And while Alexander's status in Green Bay remains a question mark, he's a difference-maker when healthy and available. Cornerback would be a potential "red flag" position if Alexander isn't back.
Still, even with all the issues weighing down the Packers in 2024, Matt LaFleur's team won 11 games, made the playoffs and gave the eventual champion Philadelphia Eagles a good fight on the road in the first round. The bar for a great season in Green Bay is much higher, but the Packers have established a strong floor with this group.
"But all told, this is a fairly strong team, lacking major red flags. Green Bay's ranking would be solidified should Love show improvement," Edholm wrote.
The path ahead for the Packers won't be an easy one. Edholm picked both the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings among his most complete teams, and three other teams in the NFC made the top 10.
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