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Green Bay Packers: 5 offseason needs in 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 30: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers lays on the field after being sacked in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on December 30, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 30: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers lays on the field after being sacked in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on December 30, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 09: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field on December 09, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 09: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field on December 09, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

1. Establish a consistent running game

The numbers are somewhat mind-boggling, although there was something certainly off this past season when it came to the play of Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers. As usual, there was the always-imposing touchdown pass (25) to interception (2) differential. But his completion percentage of 62.3 was the second-lowest since he became Green Bay’s starting quarterback in 2008. Some of that could be attributed to some shaky offensive line and some to not truly being healthy after injuring his knee in Week 1 on a Sunday night against the Bears.

Dating back to 2016, the Packers have been ranked 20th, 17th and 22nd, respectively, in rushing yards per game. In ‘17, the team added three running backs in the draft in Jamal Williams, Aaron Jones and Devante Mays. The latter is no longer with the club but Jones (728) and Williams (464) combined for 254 carries for 1,192 yards on the ground and 11 rushing TDs. And the former was limited to only 12 games, two of those lost contests the ramifications on being suspended the first two weeks of the season for violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

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All told, no team in the league totaled fewer running plays than the Packers this past season. Regardless of the reasons, new head coach Matt LaFleur and new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett must come up with a more balanced attack to take the pressure off Rodgers. It’s something that’s been overdue when it comes to this team for numerous years.

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