How the Packers devolved into this is a complicated and multifaceted story. Ted Thompson, the former Packers GM who was transitioned out of the role in January, and his staff refused to supplement the roster with free agents, even as teams like the Seahawks and Broncos showed that that strategy could lead to Super Bowl victories in the modern NFL. The leaguewide desire to stockpile cheap rookie contracts created a pool of valuable middle class players, which the Packers decided to completely ignore. They’ve loosened the purse strings slightly in recent years, especially this past offseason, but on the rare occasions that they have splurged on outside talent, the results have been underwhelming. As Rodgers watches tight end Jimmy Graham—and his $11 million guaranteed—plod around the field, he’s probably wondering, “Why couldn’t we keep Jordy, again?”
Still, the combination of Rodgers and excellent drafting had been enough to keep Green Bay’s offense near the top of the league—even though the defense hasn’t held up its end of the bargain. Recently, though, Rodgers’s unit has taken a drastic fall from the scoreboard-exploding groups the Packers have fielded in years past. While creativity and ingenuity have started driving the best offenses in the NFL, neither of those can be found in Green Bay’s approach. A scheme that demands its receivers rely solely on their own ability to get open can work when the receivers are overly talented, but aside from Davante Adams, this group isn’t. And as Sean McVay and Andy Reid scheme wide-open throws into existence for Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes II, respectively, Rodgers is forced to conjure his own miracles. Reid is six years McCarthy’s senior. He’s been a head coach in the NFL for seven more seasons. This isn’t a matter of age or a veteran coach getting left behind in the advent of new systems. Reid has made tireless efforts to stave off extinction and remain on the cutting edge of play design in the NFL. McCarthy has not.
The Packers’ static approach has become even more frustrating as innovative coaches around the league turn over every rock in the football world, trying to find new ways to make the game easier on their players. Many of Reid’s more forward-thinking concepts are pulled straight from college football, and if the Packers truly want to get as far from McCarthy philosophically as they can, college might be the place to look. The thought of Rodgers playing in an offense devised by Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley is genuinely terrifying.
Robert Mays wrote: