4 lingering questions ahead of Packers training camp
Green Bay opens camp with health, depth, and scheme questions after a disappointing 2023 season.
Green Bay opens camp with health, depth, and scheme questions after a disappointing 2023 season.
The Green Bay Packers enter training camp with four critical questions that will shape their 2024 season. Can they overcome injuries and roster gaps to rebound from a disappointing 2023 campaign? The Packers are looking to rebound after finishing 9-8 in 2023, their first losing season since 2008.
Training camp will be the first real test of roster health, depth, and scheme execution under new offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich. The offensive line remains a major concern after losing three starters, including All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari to injury. The secondary, ranked 22nd in pass defense last season, must prove it can replace departed veterans Jaire Alexander and Adrian Amos without collapsing.
Micah Parsons returns at linebacker after a Pro Bowl 2023 season, but his presence alone won’t solve the defensive front’s need for consistent pass rush alongside Kenny Clark. Marshawn Lloyd, the 2023 fourth-round pick, must step into a bigger role at running back after Aaron Jones’ departure, with 150-plus carries up for grabs. The Packers also need to determine if Christian Watson can stay healthy after missing 14 games over two seasons, a luxury they can’t afford with Jordan Love needing reliable weapons.
Green Bay’s ability to address these issues will hinge on the health of veterans like Bakhtiari and Za’Darius Smith, both returning from injuries. The Packers also added veteran safety Xavier McKinney to stabilize a unit that ranked 22nd in pass defense in 2023. Training camp reps will reveal whether these moves translate to on-field improvement or deeper roster holes, especially with rookie Jordan Morgan competing for a starting guard spot.
The offensive line’s rebuild isn’t just about replacing bodies—it’s about protecting Love long enough to let the new scheme breathe. Stenavich’s gap-heavy approach demands more from the trenches, and early camp reps will show if the unit can meet that standard. expected to compete for snaps.
The Packers’ offensive identity shift under Stenavich mirrors a league-wide trend toward power-run schemes, but it comes with risks. The Packers’ 2023 offense ranked 21st in points scored, and a conservative approach could further limit Jordan Love’s development if the line can’t sustain blocks. will battle to fill.
The secondary’s overhaul, meanwhile, reflects a broader defensive trend: teams are prioritizing versatile safeties who can cover multiple roles. McKinney’s arrival signals a shift toward a more aggressive, coverage-friendly system, but the unit’s youth—including rookies like second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper—will face an immediate test against NFC North offenses led by Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
” The team’s preparation will be scrutinized as fans and analysts gauge their Super Bowl aspirations. What's next: Training camp opens July 25 in Green Bay, with the first full practice on July 27. Fans should watch for injury updates, offensive line competition, and Lloyd’s role in the run game as the Packers look to close roster gaps before Week 1.
The stakes are higher than usual. The NFC North is no longer a pushover; the Lions and Vikings both made aggressive moves this offseason, while the Bears are trending upward under a new coaching staff. A slow camp could expose Green Bay’s rebuilding needs, while a strong start—even amid inevitable growing pains—could signal a quick rebound. Read at ESPN
The Packers’ training camp carries outsized weight this offseason. After a decade of near-constant success, Green Bay’s 2023 stumble exposed roster vulnerabilities. How they address health, depth, and scheme questions will determine whether they contend in a brutal NFC North or fade into another rebuild. The answers won’t just shape 2024—they’ll signal whether the Packers’ championship window is still open or closing. This camp isn’t just about roster construction; it’s about proving the franchise can still execute at an elite level when it matters most. The offensive identity shift under Stenavich could redefine the franchise’s long-term trajectory, while the secondary’s overhaul tests the organization’s ability to adapt to modern NFL demands.
ESPNespn.comBy Rob DemovskyJun 24, 10:00 AMen
