Before the season started, Brian Gutekunst went to the podium and told the Green Bay Packers fans two things. Those two responses would embody the expectations for this season. Most importantly, the expectations for the players. No player in the NFL likes the word rebuild. Rebuilding is just another word for losing in NFL terms. Did Gutekunst foresee this future and was willing to live with it, or has he done a poor job evaluating this team?
Are the Green Bay Packers Rebuilding?
First, when asked if the Packers were rebuilding, Gutekunst said, “No, I don’t ever look at it like that.” That is the answer everyone wanted to hear. Fans took a deep breath and thought to themselves, we aren’t going to be bad. Players were reassured that the goal was still winning, and in every sport, that can go a long way. None of these players get to where they are now without a strong competitive mindset.
Most people, including the Packers coaches and staff, thought this team would be better. The only real question marks the team had were about Jordan Love. Can he play? I don’t think that question is answered yet, but for the hand he has been dealt, he’s been doing well. It’s hard to play quarterback when your receivers can’t run the proper routes or catch wide-open throws. I can’t fault him for players not remembering the snap count. So much of this offense is out of his control right now, which isn’t an encouraging thought.
Do I think that Gutekunst honestly thought the Packers were rebuilding? No, I don’t. I think he was being honest about his assessment of this team. He thought this team would have a chance to win the NFC North and make the playoffs. I also believe that Gutekunst knew that even if this season didn’t pan out, it wasn’t the end of the world, not with this upcoming draft.
What Is the goal for the Green Bay Packers?
The second thing when asked about rebuilding, he said was, “There’s one goal here every single year, no matter what.” Now, whether he means to make the playoffs or win the Superbowl, both goals were probably a pipe dream. If Aaron Rodgers couldn’t get this team to the playoffs last season, it was a stretch to think a team without him could. Of course, that’s easy for me to say now. I will admit that I thought this team could make the playoffs. Regardless of what anyone’s thoughts were before the season started, it is clear now. This team just isn’t very good.
What is the goal moving forward for the Packers now? I think the answer is simple. Get a good evaluation of Jordan Love. We need to know if he is the Quarterback for the future. When I say we need to know, I mean without question. Love has shown flashes of good play, but nothing like Rodgers showed in his first season. If the Packers continue this quality of play, there is a good chance they come away with a top-five draft pick. That’s the lucky situation Gutekunst may have found himself in.
If the Packers can’t figure out how to fix the mistakes, they might end up with a chance to draft Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. Those are hard prospects to pass up. If Love proves he’s the guy, there are a few players who are ready to be dominant in the NFL. To draft those players, you need 100 percent confidence in Love. He has the rest of the season to prove he is the guy.
Final thoughts
With all that being said, the season isn’t over yet. Right now, the Packers have a 13 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to PFF. With the mistakes the Packers are making, that 13 percent may be a touch high.
Looking at the remaining schedule, it doesn’t look relatively as easy as it may have looked a few weeks ago. If the Packers have any hope of making that 13 percent a reality, it will be together. As long as the locker room stays together and doesn’t start pointing fingers, the Packers have a puncher’s chance. It may be a puncher with one arm tied behind his back, but it’s still a chance.
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