After making the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, the Packers head into the 2025 season with high aspirations. Despite playing in arguably the toughest division in football, the Packers will look to win the division, make the playoffs, and ultimately make a deep playoff run. Not only are the Packers looking to retool, but they are looking to improve. The Packers added young, veteran players in Nate Hobbs and Aaron Banks in free agency. They also added some offensive firepower and depth via the draft.
Last season was up and down for a number of Packers. The team won 11 games, but it never felt like they played their best football. Adding talent to an already talented roster is great, but what will take this team to the next level is not the new guys; it’s getting certain players on the roster to improve and become true difference makers. There are plenty of important players with a lot to prove, but there are three that can turn the Packers from pretenders into true contenders.
Jordan Love
Love heads into his third season as the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. His first two years have shown glimpses of being a top-tier quarterback in the league. From weeks 10-18 of the 2023 season, he threw for 2,150 yards, 18 touchdowns, 1 interception, and an average passer rating of 112.7. Love was as good as any quarterback in the league during that stretch. That said, he has also shown some performance that has left fans weary. Just last season, he threw at least one interception in eight straight games.
Love already got the big contract and is being paid among the top quarterbacks in the league. While much of last season was hampered by injury, he still needs to show he is that top-tier guy. The Packers’ offense will only go as far as he takes them. Love is now fully healthy. He’s surrounded by young and talented weapons. The offensive line is as deep as it has ever been. There are no excuses now. The question now is, which quarterback is Love? It’s time for him to prove he is truly the franchise guy.
Jayden Reed
Similar to Love, the third-year wideout has shown the ability to be a game-changer on the offensive side of the ball. Over his first two years, he has accumulated 1,932 all-purpose yards and 17 total touchdowns. He also has 12 games where he has finished with 30 or fewer receiving yards. Yes, Reed has been productive, but also far too inconsistent. While he seems to be a selfless, team-first player, the Packers need him to be a field-tilter every time he steps on the field.
A player like Reed is an offensive play-caller’s dream. Reed primarily lines up in the slot, but has lined up outside, tight to the line of scrimmage, and in the backfield. There are endless ways to get him the ball. The next step for Reed is to become a consistent focal point for the offense. He’s poised to lead the Packers’ wide receivers in snaps again, but it’s time for him to take that next step. This could be the year Reed finally reaches 1,000 yards receiving, and if he does, it will drastically help the Packers’ offense reach its potential.
Lukas Van Ness
The 23-year-old defensive end heads into his third professional season still looking to make his mark. A former first-round pick out of Iowa, Van Ness has always been a physical specimen who needed to refine his craft before becoming a true difference maker. That time is here. After playing only 33% of the defensive snaps in 2023 and 39% in 2024, Van Ness is set to play the most he’s ever been expected.
In two seasons, Van Ness has only 7 total sacks and 14 tackles for a loss, which isn’t jaw-dropping. His PFF grade last season was 53.8, which is well below average. The Packers’ pass rush last season was bad, to say the least. The Packers did very little to add to the defensive front this offseason. That leaves Van Ness in a prime position to contribute. If Van Ness finally puts together quality coaching with his physical gifts, he could be the missing piece that unlocks the pass rush and takes the defense to a new level.
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