Jace Sternberger will be key for any Packers offensive leap
By Matt Conner
If the Green Bay Packers are going to take a leap forward offensively, much of it will rest on the shoulders of second-year tight end Jace Sternberger.
The fireworks were supposed to be instant.
When Matt LaFleur accepted the position as head coach of the Green Bay Packers over a year ago, the offensive prowess was the focal point of change. LaFleur had been lauded as a bright young offensive coordinator, who had impressed under L.A. Rams head coach Sean McVay. He was given the keys to eke out anything left in the tank from one of the best quarterbacks of his generation in Aaron Rodgers.
Together, the hope was to bring postseason glory to Green Bay and make a (Lambeau) leap in the offensive rankings.
Somehow, the Packers scored the exact same amount of points with LaFleur at the helm as they did the previous season: 376. Instead, what propelled the 13-3 Packers to the top of the NFC North was a revitalized defense, thanks to a stout pass rush, that ranked No. 9 overall in the NFL (compared to No. 15 for the offense).
Looking ahead to the 2020 season, the Packers are hoping that a year together will produce stronger chemistry between head coach and quarterback. That much is true, but a major factor in any potential improvement will rest on the shoulders of the Packers pass catchers. Given the lack of player movement so far, that means Jace Sternberger is going to be a key figure for this team.
The Packers entered the offseason with a need to add a wideout or two. So far, free agent Devin Funchess signed a one-year deal to replace Geronimo Allison as a semi-used option down the depth chart. Veteran tight end Jimmy Graham was also shown the door. Other than that, the Packers are relying on holdovers from last year’s roster.
Seven players earned 45 targets or more in LaFleur’s offense last season and five are back again, including wideouts Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and running backs Aaron Jones and Jamal Williams. Graham had 60 targets and Allison had 55, so it’s pretty easy to plug in Funchess in for the latter which means Sternberger will replace the former.
When the Packers selected Jace Sternberger in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, they were likely picturing this season as a major breakout point. What they didn’t know at the time was that Sternberger would be lost to injury for so much of his rookie season due to an ankle injury that placed him on injured reserve from the preseason through the first of November. Even then, Sternberger was on the active roster but earned next to minimal playing time on offense and special teams.
In the postseason, Sternberger did find his way into the boxscore with 3 catches for 15 yards including a short touchdown catch against the San Francisco 49ers in the conference championship game. Still it wasn’t much in the way of proof that the Packers would be in good hands without the likes of Jimmy Graham. To lose such a reliable vet with proven hands and a steady workload could set the franchise back—or it could mean a new way forward.
Tight end is a difficult position for most players to play at the pro level and even the best in the league need a year to learn the ropes. George Kittle caught 43 passes for 515 receiving yards during his rookie year before breaking out for over 1,300 in 2018. Travis Kelce lost his entire rookie year to injury before he put up over 850 yards during his second season. Sternberger might have lost some on-field experience in 2019, but the entire year was going to feature a learning curve as is.
Coming into this year, the scouting reports will likely reflect who the Packers are intending to see in year two. At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Sternberger looks the part of a nice-sized target with the requisite blend of size, strength, and athleticism to create mismatches for the Packers offense. Scouts particularly raved about his route-running, great hands, and positional versatility which will allow LaFleur to move Sternberger anywhere—whether in-line or flexed outside or used as an h-back.
As a one-year wonder at Texans A&M, Sternberger made the most of his opportunities against SEC competition. He had 48 catches for a robust 832 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. The latter was fourth in the conference behind Jerry Jeudy, Deebo Samuels, and Henry Ruggs III.
The Packers are likely to make a move or even two for a wide receiver in the upcoming NFL Draft. It’s a deep, talented class and Green Bay has the luxury of having already attended to other roster needs. That said, the ongoing cancellation of offseason training programs for the sake of COVID-19 measures will negate the effectiveness of many rookies, especially early. Even if the Packers invest early in one or more, the weight won’t be on their shoulders as much Sternberger’s.
General manager Brian Gutekunst stated as much during the NFL Combine when he said the following about Sternberger:
"“He had those hiccups early with the injuries and really came on strong. We’re really excited about Jace and where he can go. I think the sky’s the limit. He’s got to put in the work and do it, but there’s a lot out there for him.”"
Encapsulated in those sentences is a major focal point for the Packers in 2020. Graham is gone and a hole is left on an offensive unit already needing to make a leap forward. The sky truly is the limit for Sternberger and now it’s on him to see it through. If he turns the corner and can handle a target load of 55-to-75, the Packers should become a top 10 or better offense once again.