Stock up, stock down for Packers following Week 1 win vs. Bears

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 05: Leonard Floyd #94 of the Chicago Bears sacks Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter in the game at Soldier Field on September 05, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Stock down: Offensive line

Regardless of who is the head coach or calling plays, one concern that has carried over from last season is how often Aaron Rodgers was hit. The Bears defense sacked Rodgers five times and had seven quarterback hits. The Packers can’t allow that to happen each week.

Of course, pass protection is far easier said than done when up against the likes of Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, and Leonard Floyd, but this offense will need to have a good plan when they come up against elite pass rushes. And that shouldn’t include having Jimmy Graham block Mack, which went about as well as you could expect on Thursday night.

Last season, the Packers allowed 53 sacks, which tied for third-most in the NFL. Rodgers injured his knee in the 2018 season opener, and also exited the season finale due to a concussion. For the Packers to reach their full potential on offense this year, Rodgers needs to stay healthy. And that won’t be easy if he’s being sacked five or more times per week.

Part of the blame goes to the offensive line, part to Rodgers who, at times, holds onto the ball for too long.

The good news is they don’t have to play against the Bears defense every week. But that doesn’t change the fact they need to improve the pass protection moving forward.

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