Green Bay Packers: Biggest pieces missing from 2020 team

While the Green Bay Packers are sitting very comfortably at 4-0 on the 2020 NFL season, there are still some missing pieces.

Everyone knows the Green Bay Packers have made an impressive start on the 2020 NFL season despite not making any serious changes on offense. Even with injuries to key players like superstar wide receivers Davante Adams and Allen Lazard, the Packers have still found ways to put up 30+ points in every game thus far.

The reason as to why Green Bay has become one of the highest-scoring offenses in the NFL is because of quarterback Aaron Rodgers feeling comfortable in year two with head coach Matt LeFleur and this new west-coast scheme.

Rodgers never fell off the grid in 2019, let’s be very clear about that. The “below-average” play — as experts called 4,002 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and four interceptions in a season — was the result of playing in an entirely new offense and a brand spanking new playbook. It was a transition year that was by absolutely no means a “down year”.

In year two, Rodgers has thrown 98 pass completions on 139 attempts (70.5 CMP%) for 1,214 yards, 13 TDs, and zero interceptions thus far (is that good?). It is also important to note that his 128.4 rating per NFL analytics is currently the highest of his career.

Aaron Rodgers didn’t become an MVP-caliber player overnight. The California native has been playing like this for his entire career and it’s only until now that he’s in an offense that utilizes his unbelievable talent, unlike the stale scheme on display during the Mike McCarthy era with the Green Bay Packers.

You could spend an entire week just talking about how unimaginably talented Aaron Rodgers is. However, the Green Bay Packers cannot rely on him solely to win the Super Bowl in 2020. There needs to be more support from his teammates on both sides of the ball in order to keep this insane streak going.

This leads right into the idea that Green Bay is missing maybe three pieces that could take this team to an even higher level — if that’s even possible.

3. Wide Receiver (WR2/WR3)

There’s little need for introduction when it comes to wide receiver Davante Adams, as he is unquestionably the best route runner in the NFL, and is a top 3 player at his position in the league. When you look at the rest of the wide receivers on the Green Bay Packers though, there are few names even a diehard NFL fan would know.

Through the help of Aaron Rodgers’ dominance, undrafted players like WR Allen Lazard have risen in the depth chart, as the massive 6’5″ – 227 lbs wideout has emerged as an unexpected option as WR2 for the Packers. While Lazard has found tremendous success, players like Marquez Valdes-Scantling have struggled to take advantage of their chances.

Because of this, the Green Bay Packers need to find another solid wide receiver via a trade. Injuries have been the ongoing headline in 2020 and by acquiring a serious receiving threat, it will provide the Pack with more depth and explosiveness on offense.

They don’t need to acquire an all-pro receiver, however, they do need to add someone who can be an exceptional WR3, but can fill the WR2 slot well if need be.

2. Inside Linebacker

If there is any position that the Green Bay Packers need to upgrade, it’s the inside linebacker position. The team has never truly valued this spot on the defense, and it showed when they let Blake Martinez walk in free agency after registering 144 or more tackles in the last three seasons with the team.

While they let him go and sign with the New York Giants, the Packers continued to neglect the position until they signed Christian Kirksey to a 2-year x $16 million contract.

His production for Green Bay was “meh” prior to the shoulder injury he’d suffer against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3. Now, the team has been cycling through below-average producers at the position, hoping that the players around them can do the work for them.

In order to strengthen this front-seven, they need to put a major focus on acquiring an adequate signal-caller on the defensive side of the ball.

Adding an inside linebacker who can stuff runs and make plays in pass-coverage will turn this defense into a top 5 group in the NFL. Until then though, expect the inconsistency to continue as poor tackling, signal calling, and reliability continue to be an issue for defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s average defense.

1. Franchise Tight End

Apart from the other two positions on this list, the tight end need is one that is a long-term goal. Head coach Matt LeFleur runs a similar offense to that of the San Fransisco 49ers with two-tight ends.

The Green Bay Packers have some guys at this position who can fill the role now, but instead of going all out for an elite number two wide receiver, the Packers should invest in a superstar hybrid tight end.

The value of hybrid tight ends has significantly increased over the years, and these players continue to play more and more big roles in the success of the offense. Look no further than George Kittle of the 49ers. If Titletown could find a similar prototypical tight end who is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, this team will be impossible to stop.

As shown through the use of Rob Tonyan, Mercedes Lewis, Jace Sternberger, and rookie Josiah Deguara, Aaron Rodgers and Matt LeFleur have shown their fondness of feeding the big fellas the ball.

Acquiring a prototypical tight end will turn the Green Bay Packers into the undeniably best offense in the NFL. If the team can add these pieces in 2020 and the 2021 offseason, there’s no limit to how many Super Bowls A-Rod can win before he retires down the road.

The Packers are in a great spot now, but they need to build off of it while they’re hot before they lose any momentum when teams start to hone in on their weaknesses.