Packers 13th in ESPN’s NFL Future Power Rankings

We often only focus on the current season without looking at the big picture. It’s hard to predict whether the Green Bay Packers will remain competitive over the next few years.

But that’s what ESPN’s NFL Future Power Rankings attempt to do.

Factoring in each team’s QB situation, roster, drafting ability, front office, and coaching staff, the ESPN analysts have put together a power rankings predicting how successful each team will be over the next three seasons.

For the Packers, they make the rankings in 13th place. Their non-QB roster ranking is third, highlighting the strengths of the current roster which is well balanced with good depth.

But what has caused the Packers to drop that far is Aaron Rodgers’ uncertain future. Field Yates notes in the rankings that if Rodgers was happy in his current situation, Green Bay “likely would crack our top three in these rankings”. So if Rodgers and the Packers commit to going forward beyond this season, maybe they would be higher in the rankings.

It’s understandable to have some doubt over Green Bay’s QB situation if Rodgers departs. At this stage, nobody knows what the future holds for Jordan Love. He has all the potential in the world, but that counts for nothing if he can’t translate it to success in the NFL.

Love hasn’t even played a snap in a preseason game, so it’s almost impossible to predict whether he will be the future face of the franchise or off the roster in three years.

The team’s drafting ability and front office are low in the rankings for their respective categories. In fairness, GM Brian Gutekunst is relatively new to the job and his 2020 draft class didn’t exactly prove people wrong last year, although it’s early days. And you could argue the front office are to blame for the Rodgers mess.

But it’s perhaps also a little harsh. Gutekunst and this current front office are responsible for drafting Jaire Alexander, Elgton Jenkins, Rashan Gary, and Darnell Savage. They brought Za’Darius Smith to Green Bay, along with Adrian Amos, Preston Smith, and Billy Turner.

The Packers’ future, and also Gutekunst’s run as GM, will likely be determined by the Love pick. If he becomes a star, Green Bay will be set up for even more sustained success. If not, they may begin an era without much playoff football.