Opening the season on the road is never easy. However, if the last ten years say anything about the Packers and opening kickoff, it’s that they’ve been tough to deal with. A 7-3 record in Week 1 shows the success they’ve had early in the year.
Several major changes to the Packers will shape what this team can become throughout the season. From a new defensive coordinator to continued quarterback development, Green Bay will enter the season with plenty to watch.
One of the biggest changes is the addition of former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. Hired this offseason to lead the defense, Gannon brings a new defensive identity to Green Bay. Meanwhile, Jordan Love enters another season as the Packers’ starting quarterback, looking to take another step forward.
If Gannon and Love can do their jobs consistently well, then this season should be a good one for Green Bay.
Jonathan Gannon Brings a Different Defensive Identity
Headed into the first game of the new NFL season, the question arises: Can Gannon’s defense immediately look different? That is hard to say, given that All-Pro defensive end Micah Parsons is currently on the PUP list.
Gannon brings championship-level experience to the Packers defense, as he was the defensive coordinator during the Philadelphia Eagles’ 2023 Super Bowl. With new additions for Gannon to work with, this group is going to be a fun one to watch.
Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who played under Gannon during that Super Bowl run, joined the Packers in free agency this year. Green Bay also brought in linebacker Zaire Franklin via trade this offseason. Both players bolster the defensive unit with elite veteran presence, something this group isn’t used to. Second-round pick Brandon Cisse, a cornerback out of the University of South Carolina, will also look to make an immediate impact. After a stellar training camp and preseason flashes, Cisse looks like a needed perimeter lockdown.
The Development of Jordan Love
Entering his seventh season in the NFL and fourth as the full-time starter, Love has improved year after year. That said, is this the year he puts everything together and makes an MVP-caliber season out of it?
Love has continued to develop as the Packers’ franchise quarterback since getting the starting nod. With his numbers and elite production come expectations, but his efficiency over the years has shown just that.
What to look for in this Week 1 matchup against the Vikings is Love’s consistent poise and control against a high-flying, Brian Flores-led defense. That was shown during the first drive of the preseason game against the Broncos this year. Love took the offense on a 12-play, 63-yard touchdown drive down the field. He did it against the starters and arguably one of the best defenses in the NFL.
The poise and control Love showed only reflect how comfortable he is becoming year after year.
With all of Love’s perimeter weapons projected to be available in Week 1, the expectation is there for a high-powered passing offense. Tucker Kraft, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden should give Love plenty of support through the air.
A Fresh Slate for the Packers
Finishing 4-2 in the NFC North, what is said to be the hardest division in football, last year was a major bounce back from the year prior, when the Packers went 1-5. However, failing to secure the division title puts any team in a tough playoff position.
The biggest concern for the Packers last season was finishing games. Late offensive collapses and consistent opponent scoring defined those moments late in games. That is something that must change for the Packers this season if they hope to meet expectations.
Opening the season against a division rival will always carry importance down the line. This game will provide insight into how Green Bay’s offseason additions make an impact.
The Gannon-led defense will have a new identity without Micah Parsons for some time. Love must continue showing the poise and control he has developed. Most importantly, Green Bay must show it can finish games when the pressure rises.
The season opener on Sunday provides the first glimpse of what this team can become.
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