Green Bay Packers primed to refurbish their offense in 2020
Matt LaFleur’s team was schooled twice by the San Francisco 49ers in 2019 but the Green Bay Packers may have quite the response in mind this season.
It was on full display not once but twice this past season for all of those who view the NFL. In Week 12 at Levi’s Stadium in a game that was flexed into prime time, the San Francisco 49ers flexed their muscles in a dominating 37-8 victory. The Green Bay Packers ran 70 offensive plays and gained 198 yards while quarterback Aaron Rodgers was running for his life.
He was sacked five times and a first-quarter lost fumble set the tone of the lopsided setback. The Packers’ offensive line was overwhelmed by Nick Bosa and company.
Then there was the rematch that took place via the conference championship game, once again in the Bay Area. And once again, the Niners’ defense was at the forefront. They dropped Rodgers three more times and forced him into three turnovers.
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The Pack managed a mere 62 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, Kyle Shanahan’s offensive line pushed Mike Pettine’s defense around to the tune of 285 yards rushing on 42 attempts. Raheem Mostert ran 29 times for 220 yards (the second-most rushing yards by a player in NFL postseason history) and four touchdowns in a 37-20 triumph.
Fast forward to this year’s NFL Draft. While many focused on the Green Bay’s first-round selection of Utah State quarterback Jordan Love and how he may affect Rodgers’ future, general manager Brian Gutekunst was busy using the majority of his other eight picks on adding pieces to an offense that figures to stress power football.
Among the choices was a second-round pick in Boston College running back A.J. Dillon (to pair with versatile Aaron Jones), a third-round selection in standout blocking tight end Josiah Deguara (Cincinnati) and three sixth-round picks on interior offensive linemen Jon Runyan (Michigan), Jake Hanson (Oregon) and Simon Stepaniak (Indiana).
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Yes, there are those critics out there mentioning the fact that Gutekunst failed to corral a wideout with any of his nine selections and that the Packers weren’t giving Aaron Rodgers more weapons to win. However, a closer look shows that the opposite may be true as LaFleur and company look to match up with the powerful 49ers and the other top teams as well.