After all the hype surrounding the defense in Green Bay entering this season, the Packers offense finally got a chance to answer back. Training camp is officially underway in Green Bay with the Packers set to enter into a new season filled with more questions waiting to be answered. One of those questions is: How will the Packers’ offense adapt after losing their star wide receiver? Based on the first day of practice, the Packers’ offense has already answered that question by setting the tone early in training camp.
The biggest factor in the Packers’ offense getting a quick jump to kick things off was the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Or should we say, Con-Aaron Rodgers after his outfit went viral when he made his way into the team facilities on Tuesday? Entering his 18th season in Green Bay, Rodgers looked as sharp as ever during Wednesday’s practice and praised the offense for setting an early impression against the formidable defense the Packers look to show this season.
“I felt coming into camp, to be honest, we were going to get our butts kicked most days because our defense is talented and deep and athletic,” Rodgers said. “It’s one of the best defenses on paper that we’ve had, but I told those chumps, ‘1-0 offense.’”
The Packers’ defense who’s now armed with two first-round selections in Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt along with free-agent additions and returning stars such as Jaire Alexander certainly looks like one of the best defensive units the Packers have had in years. Seeing the offense in Green Bay get the better of that unit on day one should provide a jolt of excitement for Packers fans this season. No matter how good the defense in Green Bay is this season, the offense will still need to do their part and step up when it matters most, which is something Rodgers understands.
“I like our defense on paper for sure,” Rodgers said. “But offense still wins games, and we’re going to have to be efficient offensively.”
On the first two days of practice Wednesday, the Packers’ offense were without two of their top receivers in Sammy Watkins and second-round pick Christian Watson. However, the unit led by Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Romeo Doubs, and Juwann Winfree looked the part. Lazard seems to be embodying his role as the team’s number one wideout. Doubs, the team’s fourth-round selection, has unquestionably impressed. Winfree continued to be a training camp nightmare for the opposing defense. Cobb, well he picked up where he always has in Green Bay, being a leader for the younger guys while showing them how to “carry the G.”
The Packers’ offense also got some updates on Wednesday regarding three starters on offense who are currently rehabbing from knee injuries; Robert Tonyan, David Bakhtiari, and Elgton Jenkins. Tonyan spoke to the media for the first time since his injury and noted that he’s in a great spot and hasn’t had any setbacks during his recovery. Tonyan hopes to return to action by the start of the season, but even that will be a quick timeline given his injury.
“That’s obviously the plan. I mean, there’s no set date or anything like that. But the ultimate goal is to try to play when I can as early as possible,” Tonyan said. “But just talking with the athletic trainers and (General Manager Brian Gutekunst) just, obviously just coming back when I’m fully ready.”
As for the two forces on the offensive line, Bakhtiari himself opened up by saying that “[I] really like where I’m at,” while general manager Brian Gutekunst spoke about Jenkins’ recovery saying “we’d like to get him back out there, hopefully, that will be soon.” The return of these three players will provide the most near-perfect look of how the Packers’ offense could look this season.
The Packers’ offense will no doubt have numerous hurdles to cross as they approach the start of the season, but exiting the gates they way they did to start training camp is surely promising. If the unit can prove they can play at the same level as what their defense is capable of, Green Bay will have a strong shot at bringing the Lombardi back home this season.
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Kole Noble is a lifelong Packers fan currently living in North Carolina and is a huge NFL Draft nut. You can follow him on twitter at @SlawSportsShow.
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