The Lass Word: Packers Won't Tank

The Green Bay Packers will enjoy a bye this weekend and it should give the front office and the coaching staff an opportunity to assess their priorities for the remaining four games of the season.  Sure, they are still mathematically alive for the playoffs, but they have to know the odds of everything falling into place for them to make the post season are longer than the odds of Joe Barry winning the lottery and deciding to retire.  

Which brings them to a basic philosophical question:  How important is it really to win any or all of these last games?  Is there a meaningful difference between finishing 5-12 or, say, 8-9?  Would it be more beneficial in the big picture to play all the young guys, in effect, tanking the rest of the schedule?  They would get the much needed game experience, and the team’s draft position would climb up the pecking order. 

By winning a few of these last contests, the Packers might surpass Detroit and improve their standing in the NFC North to second, instead of third.  Is that significant?  By league formula, it actually makes their 2023 schedule a bit harder, as they would play all the second place teams in the NFC next year, as opposed to the third place teams.  Of course, that’s theoretical, as nobody knows which teams will dramatically improve or decline next year.  This season is a perfect example.  Back in August, it appeared Green Bay had a fairly easy slate, facing the NFC East and the AFC East.  Few anticipated the competitive rise of teams such as the Eagles, Giants, Commanders, Dolphins and Jets.   

So considering all factors, doesn’t it make more sense to lose, or at least to place a lower priority on winning these last four games?  On Monday, General Manager Brian Gutekunst was asked exactly that.  “I think it’s a culture thing.  I think winning is a culture thing” he replied.  “This place has a long history.  Accomplishing being the winningest franchise of all time is kind of cool, and rightly so.  I think that’s what this place has always been about and, at least while I’m here, it’s always gonna be.” 

His answer got me thinking.  Up to that point I really had no interest in seeing the Packers win any of these remaining games.  A losing record is a losing record, I figured.  Let’s position ourselves as high up the draft ladder as possible.  Let’s totally focus on next year.  But players aren’t stupid.  They know when their team is throwing in the towel.  Why should they put their bodies on the line and go out and play with one hundred percent effort when their own management doesn’t care whether they win or lose?   

Once that kind of ambivalence begins to permeate the locker room, it can be hard to get rid of.  You can’t just flip the switch back on next fall.  You can’t signify to your players “Okay, now we’re going to start trying to win again.”  The most successful teams are the ones emotionally driven to win.  All the time.  Every game.  No matter the circumstances.  “Even if we are eliminated from the playoffs, which wouldn’t be ideal, we’re still going to go out to win the game” Gutekunst elaborated.  “I think that’s really important.  There’s a bunch of guys in that locker room that deserve that. “ 

Gutey did not flatly say that Jordan Love wouldn’t start, even if the Packers are eliminated from the playoffs.  But he did say “Whoever gives us the best chance to win needs to be out there.  That’s only fair to this locker room.  That’s the way I feel about it, and I think Matt (LaFleur) feels the same.”  He then seemed to hedge his bet a little bit when he added “We’ll make those decisions when we get there.” 

Even if Green Bay were to tank for a higher draft position, there is certainly no guarantee that a player drafted in the top ten will turn out more productive than one taken later.  

Really, when you think about it, with the exception of Love, there aren’t a lot of young prospects on the team that aren’t already playing.  Rookie Zach Tom has three starts on the O-line, and indications are he may get more, as LaFleur said this week that David Bakhtiari’s recovery from an appendectomy will take some time.  Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, when healthy, are going to be receivers one and two for this team.  Samori Toure is seeing his snaps increase.  Kingsley Enagbare has pretty much inherited the linebacker spot vacated by the loss of Rashan Gary.  Devonte Wyatt’s appearances on the field fluctuate from game to game, but he is starting to make a few plays.  The only high draft pick who has not contributed is third round O-lineman Sean Rhyan, who isn’t available while he serves a six game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy. 

I still believe the Packers will start Jordan Love in a game or two once the playoffs become an impossibility, especially since Aaron Rodgers has indicated he is open to it.  But, as a lifelong Packers fan, I respect the concept that this team stands for winning, competing for championships.  Tanking is out of the question.   

Oh, and then there just might be the possibility that playing Jordan Love actually does give them the better chance to win.