Packers seventh in FanSided power rankings after Super Bowl

The Packers are seventh in FanSided’s end-of-season power rankings.

The 2021 season ended in disappointment for the Green Bay Packers, but they still accomplished a lot.

Despite falling short of the Super Bowl with a frustrating performance in the divisional round versus the San Francisco 49ers, the Packers were excellent in the regular season with an NFC-best 13-4 record. They defeated the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals, who competed in Sunday’s Super Bowl.

Following the conclusion of the 2021 season and the Rams now crowned Super Bowl champions, Russell S. Baxter of FanSided has put together his final NFL power rankings. The Packers come in seventh.

The Rams, Bengals, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers make up the top three.

Green Bay’s postseason heartbreak was even tougher to watch knowing this could’ve been the last dance. We still don’t know whether Aaron Rodgers plans to play football in 2022 and, if so, whether that will be in Green Bay. Rodgers should make his decision in the coming weeks with free agency nearing.

The direction Rodgers goes in will also shape the Packers’ offseason.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Packers are willing to go all-in, “spending as close to the cap this year and spreading it into future years as much as possible”.

It’s hard to imagine Rodgers would come back if Davante Adams isn’t also returning to Green Bay in 2022.

So if Rodgers does return, it probably means he believes Green Bay will have a competitive roster. And that means working some salary cap magic to bring as many key players back as possible.

If Rodgers either requests a trade or walks away from football, the Packers could go in the opposite direction. Release players on big contracts, focus on creating a healthier salary cap and build towards the future.

We don’t yet know the Packers’ offseason path. Rodgers’ decision will likely answer that question. Hopefully we will know his choice sooner rather than later.