Being one of the top NFL teams, many athletes have a desire to play for Green Bay. Throughout the past decade, the Green Bay Packers have had the privilege of acquiring many talented athletes.
Though Green Bay has only won one Super Bowl in the 2010s, several players have made an impact for the Packers as they were determined to achieve greatness.
Many offensive players for the Packers have become superstars. Of the amazing Packers offensive players, there are 10 of them who stand apart from the rest.
10. Jermichael Finley
From 2008 to ’13, the Texas native Jermichael Finley was a powerhouse tight end for the Packers. His versatility was evident throughout his career as he was efficient in both receiving and blocking. Tight ends who are versatile are much more beneficial to teams because they increase the flow of the entire offense by making their teammates’ jobs a lot easier.
Finley’s versatility was a huge strength for the Packers offense. Another major accomplishment for Finley was being part of the Packers’ Super Bowl victory in 2011. Every player dreams of playing in the Super Bowl, and it was amazing to see Finley get his moment to shine in an outstanding team performance.
Finley became a top target for Aaron Rodgers with his athleticism and consistency. Green Bay certainly misses having him on their roster.
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9. Donald Driver
Donald Driver had a long NFL career with the Packers from 1999 to 2012. Every NFL player dreams of having a lengthy career, and Driver has been blessed to have been able to retire on his own terms.
Driver was one of the most talented wide receivers Green Bay has ever had because of his ability to plow through defenses. His consistency and power is what made him a top target for both Brett Favre and Rodgers. He spent over a decade as a top playmaker for his team which is very rare in the NFL.
Being part of the Super Bowl winning team in 2011 was the ultimate highlight for Driver. After a long, successful NFL career, Driver decided to retire in 2012. What a storybook ending it was to be able to play for so long and accomplish remarkable goals while doing so.
Driver was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2017 and rightfully so. Per Jimmy Carlton of OnMilwaukee, Driver is now doing charity work, appearing on shows such as “Dancing with the Stars”, and writing books. Green Bay appreciates the hard work and dedication Driver has shown throughout his career. Not only is Donald Driver one of the best offensive players of the 2010s, he is also one of the best of all-time.
8. Corey Linsley
Green Bay drafted the super-talented center Corey Linsley in 2014, and Linsley made an excellent addition to the team. Being such a reliable lineman, Linsley provided great protection for Rodgers. Because of Linsley’s solid blocking, Rodgers was given plenty of time to make terrific plays and pick apart defenses.
Though Linsley played a huge role in the offense’s success, Green Bay made the head-scratching decision not to sign him to a new contract, so he was recently signed by the Los Angeles Chargers. While we wish Linsley all the best, he will definitely be hard to replace.
7. Robert Tonyan
In 2018, Green Bay made the smart decision to acquire Robert Tonyan who has been a workhorse for his team. Tonyan has been very efficient for the Packers offense. His passion for the game is undeniable. Passion is a very important quality to have, and the best players are the ones with great enthusiasm for the game. Tonyan puts his heart into the game each time he steps onto the field which is a big reason why the fans respect him so much.
Tonyan has worked his way to being one of the top tight ends in the NFL, and will continue to keep that status. Hopefully, the Packers will keep him for a long time as he is such an important component to their offensive strategy. Without a doubt, the future is bright for Robert Tonyan.
6. Randall Cobb
From 2011-2018 Randall Cobb was a terrific offensive weapon for Green Bay’s offense and instantly became a fan favorite. Speed and agility is what makes Cobb so special as he uses those qualities to make big plays. Route running comes naturally to him as well.
Today, Cobb is one of the best route-running receivers with the ability to identify and attack open spaces. Rodgers enjoyed targeting Cobb because of his reliability. Cobb was a huge contributor for the Packers, and many fans enjoyed watching him showcase his talent.
It was very disappointing when Cobb left the Packers and signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Of course, Cobb continues to make big plays for the Texans with his incredible athleticism. Randall Cobb had a great run as a Packer. At some point, we would love to see Cobb return to Green Bay.
5. Jordy Nelson
Another fan favorite, Jordy Nelson, had an amazing career in Green Bay from 2008 to 2017. With his length and reliability, he became Rodgers’ favorite target, and the Rodgers/Nelson connection was exciting to watch. During the 2010s, Nelson easily became a top NFL wide receiver who plowed his way through defenses.
Nelson was also part of the Super Bowl winning team in 2011 where he was a major contributor. It was a rewarding experience for Nelson to be a part of the grandest stage in the NFL as well as one of the top playmakers. Nelson had the time of his life in Green Bay as he achieved greatness.
Since Jordy Nelson was such a prominent figure for Green Bay, it was shocking to see him leave for Oakland in 2017. We were not ready for him to leave as he was one of the top playmakers at the time. Nelson played for the Raiders for one year, then decided to retire in 2019. It was bittersweet that he decided to retire as a Packer, given that he has done so much for Green Bay.
Cork Gaines from Business Insider noted that since his retirement, Nelson now works on the family farm in his hometown of Riley, Kansas. When considering all of the Packer greats, Jordy Nelson definitely belongs in the conversation. Not only was he a terrific athlete, but he is also a stand-up guy who is well-respected.
4. David Bakhtiari
Since being drafted to Green Bay in 2013, David Bakhtiari has provided great protection for Rodgers. Power and strength allow him to keep defenders away from the backfield which gives Rodgers plenty of time to make explosive plays. Being such a powerful lineman, Bakhtiari has stepped up as a leader by motivating the entire offensive line to get the job done which is what makes them one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
Bakhtiari suffered a terrible injury at the end of the regular season which hurt the entire offense. Bakhtiari’s production sparks the entire offense, so it was devastating to lose him. During the playoffs, Green Bay’s offense struggled at times without Bakhtiari’s protection, and it factored into their loss in the NFC Championship Game against Tampa Bay.
Nevertheless, the Packers will be thrilled to have him back for the upcoming season. Bakhtiari is an important player on this team.
It would be wise for the Packers to keep Bakhtiari for many years to come as he is one of the most efficient offensive linemen to ever play at Green Bay. Without a doubt, Bakhtiari is one of the unsung heroes on this Green Bay offense.
3. Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones has worked extremely hard for the position he’s in today. Since being drafted in 2017, Jones has been determined to improve himself each season and has become a top play-maker for the Packers.
Jones brings both speed and power to the table which allows him to pick apart defenses. What separates him from others is his amazing ability to break tackles and efficiency in the red zone. Offenses with powerhouse running backs like Jones are successful because the power runs set up more explosive passing plays. Jones has definitely proven himself as a top NFL running back.
Many fans were thrilled when Jones was given a contract extension. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport explained the details of Aaron Jones’ contract extension which is $48 million on a four-year deal. Given that Jones has emerged as a superstar running back, he deserves to stay in Green Bay to continue his play-making abilities. Jones has proven that with hard work and dedication, greatness can occur. He is truly an inspirational athlete.
2. Davante Adams
Green Bay noticed the star power of Davante Adams in the 2014 NFL Draft. During his first two NFL seasons, Adams was adjusting to the professional level, and it took a while for him to find his groove. But once he did, he became Green Bay’s top receiver and Rodgers’ most reliable target.
The Rodgers/Adams connection has been on point, and will continue to be an important part of the offensive scheme. Adams is also the go-to receiver is the red zone because of his consistency. With the incredible athleticism and hard work shown by Adams, Rodgers can count on him to get the job done.
Because of his drive and hustle, Adams is one of the top wide receivers in the NFL today who has conquered many milestones. He has pulled through for his team when they needed him the most. Being the clutch player that he is, Green Bay should begin working on a long-term contract with him because he is such a huge asset to the team. Adams is by far one of the best wide receivers to play in Green Bay, and will continue to be a dynamic play-maker.
1. Aaron Rodgers
Of course, the Packers wouldn’t be where they are today without their star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. We were all heartbroken when the legendary Brett Favre left Green Bay to play for Minnesota which left concerns about the Packers’ future. But the concerns were short-lived as Rodgers instantly became a superstar. Ever since he took over the job in 2008, he has been sensational.
Being a once-in-a-lifetime athlete, Rodgers has accomplished greatness, including a Super Bowl win in 2011 and three MVP awards. Not only does Rodgers have an amazing arm and a natural ability to extend plays, but he also has a great mindset for the game.
He is one of the best at determining the best plays for any situation which is what makes him such a valuable player. Head coach Matt LaFleur recognized that when he stepped on the scene and has given Rodgers a lot of freedom to lead his offense. Not many quarterbacks have the play-calling freedom that Rodgers does. It truly takes a special player to be a big contributor in running the offense.
When considering the legendary quarterbacks in Green Bay, Rodgers definitely belongs on that list. Not only is Rodgers one of the best quarterbacks today, he is also one of the greatest of all-time. Hopefully, he will spend the remainder of his career at Green Bay and win another Super Bowl. Rodgers is the epitome of greatness.