The Green Bay Packers enter a pivotal offseason with significant questions looming across their roster and coaching staff, following a campaign that again ended short of the ultimate goal. In an exclusive video discussion, ESPN’s Packers reporter Rob Demovsky provided critical insights into the unresolved contracts, glaring personnel needs, and the overarching challenge of reclaiming the NFC North.
While the team has announced extensions for Head Coach Matt LaFleur, Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley, and General Manager Brian Gutekunst, the specific lengths of those deals remain undisclosed. Industry suspicion points to three-year extensions. More pressing is the incomplete state of the defensive staff, which remains light on position coaches following several departures. The anticipated press conference with Gutekunst on Wednesday could offer the first real clarity on the team’s direction.
Demovsky emphasized that the offensive staff appears set to return mostly intact, with no major shakeups expected. However, the composition of the offensive line is a primary concern. The unit faces potential turnover, with the left tackle and center positions presenting the largest unknowns. First-round pick Jordan Morgan is projected to start at left tackle, but his readiness remains a question. The center position is in particular flux, with both Josh Myers and Elgton Jenkins potentially departing, leaving a significant void.
The defensive side of the ball presents even more acute challenges. The cornerback room is depleted, with veteran addition Nate Hobbs unlikely to return and the failed experiment with Trevon Diggs already over. Demovsky suggested the Packers may need to “double up” at the position through both free agency and the draft. The defensive line is another major trouble spot, with star edge rusher Micah Parsons not expected to be ready for the start of the season and key interior players facing free agency or potential release due to cap constraints.
The team’s run defense faltered dramatically late in the season, underscoring the need for reinforcements up front. This creates a complex puzzle for the front office, which must address multiple high-priority needs—including defensive line, cornerback, offensive line, and backup quarterback—with limited draft capital and tight salary cap space. The absence of a first-round pick complicates efforts to find an immediate-impact player for the defensive interior.
Despite the lengthy list of concerns, a path exists for improvement. The potential return to health of players like Devonte Wyatt and the continued development of young offensive linemen offer hope. The wide receiver and tight end groups are strengths, and the safety position appears stable. The ultimate benchmark for success, however, remains clear: winning the NFC North.
Demovsky assessed the division landscape as potentially favorable for a Packers surge. The Minnesota Vikings appear to be in decline, the Detroit Lions may regress after a strong season, and while the Chicago Bears are a rising concern, their trajectory is not guaranteed. The Packers’ recent history of securing playoff berths only as a wild card has been a limiting factor; capturing the division title and the accompanying home-field advantage is viewed as a critical next step.
The coming weeks will be defined by difficult financial decisions, strategic draft planning, and perhaps a calculated gamble in free agency. The organization’s ability to patch its numerous holes will directly determine its capacity to compete in a division that seems ripe for the taking. For a franchise and a fanbase with championship expectations, the mandate is unambiguous. The focus in Green Bay is singular: find a way to win the damn division.
