The 2018 NFL season will be very special for the Green Bay Packers since it will be the franchise’s 100th season of competitive football. But, can the current Packers’ roster make it count this year? We think they can.
The most obvious reason, of course, is healthy Aaron Rodgers. After Rodgers suffered an injury in Week 6 of 2017 season, Packers failed to do anything significant with Brett Hundley and missed the playoff for the first time in nine years. The fact that he is fully fit again makes the world of difference, and having the best NFL quarterback on their roster makes Green Bay Packers an instant contender; even without paying attention to the rest of their roster.
Then there is hunger. Everyone on the Packers is hungry for success. Aaron Rodgers is looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued season. Wide receiver Davante Adams wants to prove he is worthy of his new big contract and that he can make big plays like departed Jordy Nelson. The rest of receiving core will look to prove Rodgers wrong after he criticized them for lack of effort on practices.
Green Bay Packers’ defense will be a contributing factor as well. They finished ranked 22nd in defense in NFL last season, while their cornerbacks were among the worst in the league. Packers had issues with the secondary for years, but it might be a thing of the past.
They drafted two talented cornerbacks in the first two rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft, while also signing former Arizona Cardinals’ CB Tramon Williams in free agency. Packers also used their third-round pick to get a linebacker, selecting Vanderbilt’s Oren Burks 88th overall.
Finally, former Jets’ defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson should also contribute this year.
On paper, everything looks set for Green Bay Packers to return to playoffs this year. Super Bowl appearance is also on the table since Aaron Rodgers “is a bad man.” Now imagine if Packers’ front office decides they could use few more championship rings and trade for Khalil Mack. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
There are several weeks before 2018 NFL season kicks off, so lots of things can change. But from this point of view, the Green Bay Packers can be a contender this year.
