Packers: The fix for the 2019 season should start now

With the Green Bay Packers now eliminated from the playoff hunt, the fix for 2019’s team starts now.

The Packers still have two games remaining in the 2018 season and should play these two games with a look to the future.

First things first, I am not on board with benching all the starters and playing backups. There is honestly nothing to gain from this.

Don’t believe me, take a look at what happens when a preseason star gets into a regular season game and does not play the same way. Or listen to the quarterback when he tells you he needs more reps with player X.

Now is the time when the team can do those things. Experiment and put young guys into situations practice cannot reproduce. And do it with Aaron Rodgers on the field, not DeShone Kizer.

I completely understand the fear of injuries. The team would not want to get someone hurt in a meaningless game and ruin next season’s chances. But, injuries can occur at any time.

It could be OTAs, spring minicamp, or even working out on their own. The team should not let that fear drive the valuable time they have in these next two games.

We’ve all seen what Jake Kumerow can do with Kizer and Brett Hundley throwing him the ball, let’s see if he can gain that connection with Aaron Rodgers that Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb had.

A sizeable increase from single-digit snaps to something around 17-20 on offense can help get enough playing time with Rodgers without taking away from others.

Equanimeous St. Brown has played well and more than anyone expected him to this year. One of the biggest complaints about his play has been that he gets lost on scramble drills. Well, there are two games of live action against NFL teams to test his learning.

Kizer isn’t going to throw the same type of ball, expect the same things as Rodgers would, so let that chemistry build. The same can be said about Marquez Valdes-Scantling and J’Mon Moore.

Some of this season’s struggles can be pointed at Rodgers’ lack of trust and confidence in the three rookie receivers. These next two games can give him valuable time to continue to build that trust and gain that confidence.

Keep in mind, the new coach will probably keep the same plan for Rodgers next preseason, playing him very sparingly, if at all, during the exhibition games. That means Rodgers will only be able to connect with Kumerow, Moore, MVS and St. Brown in practice.

Even if they do get time together during preseason games, the work won’t be as good as the work they can get these next two games.

On defense, the Packers will need to see what they have at certain positions. Moving some guys around now can be beneficial to the team in 2019. Josh Jackson was a prime candidate to move to safety coming out of the draft, now would be a good time to start that transition.

Having Jackson play alongside Williams could be even more beneficial. Kentrell Brice hasn’t made headlines with his play, so this move may actually improve the safety play. If not, at least there’s nothing to lose.

This move can actually benefit two positions. Tony Brown has played well and a longer look is warranted. The Packers also need to make a decision on Bashaud Breeland.

Playing Breeland, Brown and Alexander together with Jackson at safety can give the front office a good look at what they have going into 2019 while helping make a decision on Breeland.

Being eliminated should not mean let’s just sit all the starters. I feel it should be about finding that right balance of scaling back some players while playing others more. Young guys will need the benefit of playing alongside someone with experience.

Nothing beats learning while on the job. That means the Packers can try things they otherwise wouldn’t with their young guys and not have to worry about wrecking their season. It’s the best way to see what they have. Playing backups with other backups will only give you a clearer picture on how well they play with that person.

Come next season, the Packers would be back to square one, trying to get players to fit next to each other and learn on the fly. Why not take this time to start figuring what you have and do it with the guys that matter?

That can start the fix for 2019, in 2018.