Source: FNFCoaches via Twitter
The Green Bay Packers have shifted their philosophical approach for the new campaign after an underwhelming 2017 season. The club were looking like contenders for the Super Bowl, only to be dealt the cruelest of blows when Aaron Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone. Rodgers’ injury knocked him out for the majority of the term, which ended Green Bay’s hopes of securing the Vince Lombardi trophy. The flaws on the Packers’ roster and coaching staff that the outstanding play of the quarterback masked were exposed, resulting in a 7-9 campaign. The response has been emphatic across the organization, with long-time general manager Ted Thompson leaving his role. Brian Gutekunst stepped into his position, while there were a number of changes in the coaching staff. Mike Pettine replaced Dom Capers as defensive coordinator, while Joe Philbin returned to his old role as offensive coordinator after a six-year spell elsewhere in the NFL.
Mike McCarthy’s men are once again one of the leading contenders for the Super Bowl in 2018 due to the presence of Rodgers alone. Their current price of 9/1 with bet365 is intriguing, placing them as one of the favorites to emerge for the NFC behind the current champions – the Philadelphia Eagles. Check out melbet reviews for the best place to try your luck. It will be worth monitoring their odds over the course of the off-season and the regular season. Green Bay’s last triumph in the Super Bowl was unexpected and a campaign similar to 2010 would see the value of their odds benefit bettors.
There are also other variables to take into account – not just the activity of other teams. The Los Angeles Rams have made a number of moves to bolster their roster. There’s still time ahead of the NFL Draft for further trades to occur. The Packers know injuries can affect performances, therefore, it might behove punters to wait on Green Bay’s chances before seeing them in action in September.
Source: SportsRoadhouse via Twitter
Rodgers returned to action from his collarbone injury and should have no ill effects in the off-season. Davante Adams and Randall Cobb should ensure that the offense does not miss a beat even with the departure of Jordy Nelson. The addition of Jimmy Graham will give Rodgers the target in the end zone that Martellus Bennett should have been last season. Aaron Jones displayed promise in the ground game before injuries limited his action. With Rodgers behind center, there should be more space for Jones to exploit in the 2018 campaign.
Defensively is where the biggest shift will be for the Packers in 2018. Capers was much maligned during his tenure at the club, with a lot of justified criticism, especially for playoff defeats. Pettine had success during his time at the New York Jets and, at the very least, Green Bay will be more aggressive on the defensive side of the ball rather than the passive approach of Capers. The addition of Muhammad Wilkerson is one to watch as, if he rediscovers his best form alongside Mike Daniels, the NFC North outfit could have a dominant defensive line. The Packers’ rebirth is one of the most exciting storylines heading into the 2018 campaign.