After odd offseason, Packers try to reach Super Bowl

After falling one win shy of the Super Bowl last season, Aaron Rodgers and Co. are trying to make it back to Super Sunday and add to their trophy case.

Best-case scenario

Aaron Rodgers stands next to Matt LaFleur on the podium at Raymond James Stadium, holding the Lombardi Trophy high in the air.

As long as Rodgers is the starting quarterback for the Packers, they will always have a chance of going all the way. The Packers might not enter the season as favorites, but if the offense makes a jump in year two under LaFleur and the defense builds on last year’s work, the sky is the limit for this team in the 2020 season.

The best-case scenario is a second Super Bowl win for Rodgers.

Worst-case scenario

Having broken his collarbone twice in the past seven seasons, there’s always a concern Rodgers will get injured. A nightmare scenario for the Packers in 2020 would be to lose Rodgers to injury, with first-round pick Jordan Love struggling in his place.

While it’s improbable as Love will likely be the No. 3 QB this year, it couldn’t get much worse for the Packers than losing Rodgers, with his potential successor struggling as the starter. Anything other than a return to the playoffs will be disappointing for the Packers in 2020.

Biggest offseason move

This one might come as a surprise to many, but it’s the two moves the Packers made at inside linebacker. After letting Blake Martinez and B.J. Goodson walk in free agency, they signed Christian Kirksey and drafted Kamal Martin in the fifth round.

Kirksey gives the Packers an upgrade in coverage, while Martin has reportedly been one of the standout performers at training camp. The Packers may have found their new starting combination in the middle of the defense.

Draft pick who makes the big impact

Outside of Martin, whose performances in practice could lead to an important role on defense, my choice would second-round pick AJ Dillon. Dillon brings something different to the Packers’ backfield.

Whereas Aaron Jones is a quick, explosive runner, Dillon is powerful and has no trouble breaking tackles. Having found the end zone 40 times over the past three years, Dillon is going to be a tough player to stop when it gets cold at Lambeau Field.

Overall expectations

The Packers will be competitive as they were last year, and perhaps even a better overall team even if their win total drops slightly. It won’t be easy to repeat last season’s 13-3 finish, but expect this team to retain their NFC North title and make a strong push in a competitive conference.

LaFleur is in his second season as head coach and he’ll enter the year with valuable experience. The offense, too, should make a jump with more familiarity in the system. If the offense finds more consistency and the defense improves against the run, the Packers can be a dangerous team once the playoffs roll around.

Going all the way to the Super Bowl will be no easy task given the competition in the NFC but if the Packers can build on last year, they’ll have every chance. Just get to the postseason and anything can happen.