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Green Bay Packers: Joe Philbin’s return is underrated

By Kyle Hoffenbecker

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: Head coach Joe Philbin of the Miami Dolphins looks on during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sun Life Stadium on September 3, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: Head coach Joe Philbin of the Miami Dolphins looks on during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sun Life Stadium on September 3, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Of all the moves the Green Bay Packers made this offseason, bringing back former offensive coordinator Joe Philbin will be the best move of them all.

The Green Bay Packers finished off a dismal 2017 season in Detroit. The following day, the team fired longtime defensive coordinator Dom Capers. A few days later, they let Edgar Bennett, the offensive coordinator, go too.

Within the first few days of the 2018 offseason, big changes were on the horizon. It took just one week for the Packers to find suitable options for their open coordinator position. Mike Pettine assumed the role of defensive coordinator. Then, a familiar face, Joe Philbin, was pegged to take over as the offensive coordinator.

The latter of the two coaching moves may very well be the best acquisition the Packers made all offseason.

Philbin led the offense upon Mike McCarthy’s arrival to the team in 2006. In his five years as offensive coordinator, the team never ranked outside of the top 10 in terms of yards per game and points per game.

The 2011 Packers offense was the best in franchise history. It was led by none other than Philbin (and Aaron Rodgers too.) Bleacher Report ranked the 2011 Packers as the fourth best offense in NFL history.

The reunion in Green Bay for Philbin will come with some personal struggles, unfortunately. It was during the end of his tenure where his 21-year old son died after drowning, which he talked about on NFL.com:

"“It’s very, very emotional for all of us. But we care and love a lot of people here, and a lot of people care about and love us.” – Joe Philbin"

Philbin has looked past the tragedy that happened with his son. He is looking forward to what he can accomplish during his second tenure with the Packers. With Rodgers under center and Philbin calling the shots once again, we could be on the verge of witnessing another 2011 Packers offense.

Next: NFL 2018: Each team's best offseason move

The team has the weapons to do so. It’s the first time the Packers have had a reliable tight end target since the early 2010s with Jermichael Finley after they signed Jimmy Graham in 2018 free agency. The run game looks better than ever as well with the three-headed monster of Ty Montgomery, Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones.

It will be exciting to see what Philbin’s offense looks like when the Packers take the field in September.

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