The Green Bay Packers report for training camp Wednesday and begin practice Thursday, marking the official start to the team’s 2019 season.
Here’s a break down of the biggest questions for the Packers entering training camp:
1. How fast can Rodgers get comfortable?
Two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers is learning a new offense for just the second time in 15 years in the NFL. He’s also coming off one of the most trying and frustrating seasons in his career. How fast will everything click for Rodgers in Matt LaFleur’s scheme? It’s designed to make life easier on the quarterback in every way, but Rodgers is used to shouldering a heavy load. There’s a delicate balance to be found between quarterback and playcaller, and training camp will mark a huge step in the process. The clock is ticking. Remember, last season’s top-ranked scoring defense looms large in Week 1.
2. Who separates among the WRs behind Davante Adams?
Adams is the unquestioned top target in the passing game, but who will emerge as the depth chart’s second and third receivers during training camp? Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Geronimo Allison look like the early favorites, but Equanimeous St. Brown, Jake Kumerow, J’Mon Moore, Trevor Davis, Allen Lazard and Teo Redding will all get chances to stand out in the new offense. For receivers, building trust and rapport with Aaron Rodgers is king, and those things always require getting it done on the practice field. This summer is a big one for a young group of Day 3 picks and undrafted free agents. There’s a clean slate and plenty of available opportunities.
3. How will Mike Pettine deploy the front seven?
The Packers added three new edge rushers this offseason, all with varying degrees of versatility. The additions of Za’Daius Smith, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary, when combined with the holdovers from last year’s front, give defensive coordinator Mike Pettine endless options, especially in pass-rushing situations. Expect him to find clever ways of getting all his best rushers on the field at once during camp. A better pass rush will be at the center of any revival on defense.
4. Can Mason Crosby win a kicking competition?
Crosby hasn’t faced much in terms of competition during his decorated run with the Packers, but he’ll have a legitimate challenger during camp. Sam Ficken isn’t in Green Bay just for show. While Crosby has to be considered the heavy favorite, it’s clear the Packers want competition this summer at kicker, especially after Crosby served up a few critical misses during the 2018 season. He’s also about to turn 35 and is entering the final year of his contract, so the pressure is one. Back in 2013, a little competition during camp helped create one of Crosby’s finest seasons.
5. Which second-year player begins the second-year jump?
The Packers have several candidates. Cornerback Jaire Alexander and receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling look like the most likely breakout candidates of the second-year players, but cornerback Josh Jackson, linebacker Oren Burks, and receivers Equanimeous St. Brown and J’Mon Moore are also going to get ample opportunity to contribute in a significant way. Cole Madison will participate in his first training camp, and the Packers could use a lot more consistency from second-year specialists J.K. Scott and Hunter Bradley, too. A team can improve in a major way from one season to the next if the second-year players gain consistency and turn into difference-makers.
6. How will LaFleur split up backfield opportunities?
Aaron Jones looks like the favorite to be the lead back in LaFleur’s offense, and for good reason, but the Packers coach has said all along that he wants a mix at running back. How he’ll split up opportunities could provide clarity during camp. How often will Jamaal Williams play, and in what situations? Which running backs will get the most opportunities in the passing game? Can rookie Dexter Williams earn a role? Is Danny Vitale the right fit as a versatile fullback? Expect the various components of the backfield to play a more important role in the Packers offense in 2019.
7. Is Rashan Gary ready to contribute?
The Packers used their highest draft pick since 2009 on Gary, the highly athletic edge rusher from Michigan. He entered college as the No. 1 player in the nation and was a featured player for the Wolverines all three years, but is he ready to contribute in a meaningful way at the NFL level? Camp will either reveal Gary as a future star who needs to play right away, or it’ll help expose some of the areas in need of development early in his career. The Packers signed two veteran edge rushers and can take it slow with Gary, but they’d certainly prefer if he’s ready to be a difference-maker immediately, much like Clay Matthews in ’09. He impressed during the offseason workout program.
8. What to do with Josh Jones?
The Packers’ third-year safety missed most of the offseason workout program and might want out of Green Bay, likely the result of the team adding Adrian Amos in free agency and using a first-round pick on Darnell Savage. He could still have value as a hybrid player for Mike Pettine, but GM Brian Gutekunst probably isn’t going to put up with a disgruntled player who was disappointing his first two seasons. Will Jones earn a role during camp, or a way out of Green Bay? Second-year safety Raven Greene could make the Packers’ decision easier by the end of the summer.
9. How does the offensive line depth shake out?
The Packers return four starters from last year’s offensive line and have a likely fifth starter in newcomer Billy Turner, but there will be competition at both guard spots and for the three or four backup jobs. Keep an eye on rookie Elgton Jenkins, who is tough and talented enough to push Lane Taylor or Turner for a starting job. The Packers must also identify the top backup offensive tackle on the roster and choose between several experienced interior options, such as Lucas Patrick and Justin McCray.
10. Which young defensive lineman takes another step?
Montravius Adams and Tyler Lancaster both got better and better as the 2018 season wore on and will have opportunities to earn a legitimate role as a rotational lineman. Adams flashed as a disruptor and Lancaster was rock solid against the run over the final month and a half. More improvement from either player could really solidify what’s already one of the Packers’ deepest positions. Competition should elevate everyone else in the room. Fadol Brown, James Looney and rookie Keke Kingsley all bring something to the table and will push for roster spots.
11. Who will be the backup quarterback in Week 1?
DeShone Kizer, Tim Boyle and rookie Manny Wilkins will all compete to back up Rodgers. It’s an uninspiring battle. Kizer has 30 turnovers (24 interceptions, six lost fumbles) in his first 18 NFL games, Boyle has never appeared in a regular-season game and Wilkins is an undrafted free agent. All three are learning a new offense, too. If all three struggle throughout the summer, the Packers might have to go looking for a veteran backup before Week 1.
12. Does the defense have enough depth at ILB?
The Packers have nothing proven behind Blake Martinez at inside linebacker. Oren Burks played only 122 snaps on defense as a rookie last season, James Crawford was only a special teams contributor and Ty Summers and Curtis Bolton are both first-year players. If Burks takes a big step and one of Crawford, Summers or Bolton emerges, the Packers will be fine. If not, Mike Pettine’s defense will be one injury to Martinez away from disaster. It’s possible GM Brian Gutekunst will look to find outside help at some point in August. Last year, he traded for Antonio Morrison during the preseason.
13. Can Robert Tonyan or Jace Sternberger get on the field?
Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis provide a veteran presence atop the tight end depth chart, but both Tonyan and Sternberger bring a different kind of athleticism to the position. It’ll be interesting to see if either is ready to play a role in LaFleur’s tight end heavy offense. Neither will be the best blocker or most experienced tight end on the roster, but both could provide an infusion of speed and receiving ability in the right role. They’ll have to earn it at camp.
14. How good can Darnell Savage be?
The first-round pick earned a starting spot on the defense right away during the offseason workout program and has to be considered the favorite to start next to Adrian Amos come Week 1. He certainly passed his first test, earning admiration from both coaches and veteran teammates during the offseason workout program, but camp will undoubtedly test the speedy rookie safety. There will be ups and downs as he continues learning on the fly. Savage will earn a lot more admirers if he can keep improving during camp like he did throughout the spring.
