Green Bay Packers: 2018 Season preview, predictions and more
By Joe Kipp
The 2018 season will be the 100th anniversary of the Green Bay Packers franchise. What are the expectations for this year’s edition of the green and gold?
It’s finally here. After seven long months without real football, the 2018 NFL season is upon us. The Green Bay Packers will kick off their 2018 campaign on Sunday, Sept. 9 against the Chicago Bears, in what will be the beginningof the team’s 100th season of existence.
After a frustrating 7-9 record last season, headlined by a season-ending injury to Aaron Rodgers, the Packers head into 2018 with a huge chip on their collective shoulder. With the new addition of general manager Brian Gutekunst, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, and the return of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin after a six-year hiatus, this year’s team will be much different schematically.
Gutekunst made his mark early, signing marquee free agents such as Jimmy Graham and Muhammad Wilkerson. He also had what appears to be a stellar draft class, headlined by cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson. Finally, Gutekunst wasn’t afraid to be the bad guy, as a plethora of Ted Thompson draftees were cut during the trimming for the 53-man roster.
Needless to say, this is now Gutekunst’s team, and with the new look on defense and return of Rodgers, the Packers should be destined for much bigger things in 2018. With that, let’s take a look at the offense, defense and a record prediction for Green Bay this season.