AT 33, RODGERS REMAINS THE FOCAL POINT
Five things to know about the Packers heading toward the season.
Rodgers still Rodgers: Aaron Rodgers proved it as the Packers ran the table after a 4-6 start in 2016, at one point throwing a career-best 318 consecutive passes without an interception (and 24 touchdowns) on the way to the NFC Championship Game. Rodgers, 33, keeps himself in excellent shape, remains at the height of his powers and gives Green Bay a chance to win every time he’s on the field. He has a new weapon, too — tight end Martellus Bennett, who replaces Jared Cook as the big man amid the talented receiver trio of Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams and Randall Cobb. The Packers signed ex-Los Angeles Rams tight end Lance Kendricks, too. They figure to extend Rodgers’ contract, which is set to pay him $42 million over the next two years, sooner rather than later.
Secondary got primary attention: Injuries brutalized the back end of Dom Capers’ defense during the rocky stretch last year. It’s no surprise general manager Ted Thompson used his top two draft picks to upgrade the talent there. Cornerback Kevin King is long and athletic and gives the Packers options alongside Damarious Randall and Davon House, who’s back after two years with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Safety Josh Jones might play more linebacker, given the proliferation of sub-package defense. He’s a downhill, run-and-hit player, a nice complement to Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who was a top-five safety in 2016.
Battle royale in the backfield: The Packers were short on running backs last season, too. Then they released James Starks, and Eddie Lacy rumbled to a free agent deal with the Seattle Seahawks. So Green Bay followed the Seahawks’ lead from a year ago and drafted in volume. Fourth- round pick Jamaal Williams is a workhorse type. Fifth-rounder Aaron Jones figures to get his chance in the passing game. And seventh-rounder Devante Mays could surprise people. With all the seven-man boxes the Packers see because of Rodgers and a solid offensive line, they can get away with different guys running it. They do have to replace veteran guard T.J. Lang, who departed for his hometown Detroit Lions, but there are options there.
Pass rushers better earn their money: Nick Perry signed a five-year, $60 million contract. Clay Matthews III is still the highest paid — due $11.1 million with a $15.075 million cap number this season on the five-year, $66 million extension he signed in 2013. Those are big numbers, so there’s little question where the responsibility of getting to quarterbacks falls after Julius Peppers returned to the Carolina Panthers.
Closest the NFC has to the Patriots: Yes, New England has five Super Bowl wins in the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era, compared with one for Rodgers and Mike McCarthy. But the franchises are tied for the NFL’s longest playoff streak (eight years), and Rodgers has an excellent shot to join Brady in the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day. Winning one more ring probably would make it an open-and-shut case for the two-time NFL MVP.