It's rare for the Green Bay Packers to enter the offseason with more concerns on offense than defense, but here we are.
Sure, the Packers must urgently find cornerback help and upgrade their defensive line, especially the pass rush, but they can't ignore the offensive problems that derailed their season.
Jeff Hafley's defense did everything possible to slow down the Philadelphia Eagles, holding them to just 22 points, of which seven came on a short field to open the game. The Eagles' next playoff victims fared worse, allowing 28 and 55 points, respectively.
It was Green Bay's offense that ruined any hopes of another deep playoff run. The unit managed only 10 points, and Jordan Love threw three interceptions.
Wide receiver should sit near the top of the offseason shopping list, especially with Christian Watson expected to miss significant time. Could that mean a reunion with Davante Adams? A trade for DK Metcalf? Or will the Packers finally, finally, draft a receiver in the first round?
Whether GM Brian Gutekunst will add a veteran remains to be seen, but we can almost certainly rule out the first-round draft pick part. And Love knows it.
Jordan Love understands the Packers likely won't target offense in the first round of the draft
History suggests the Packers will add a defensive player when they hit the clock in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. This week, Love appeared on the Up & Adams show, where host Kay Adams asked for his prediction of the Packers' first-round pick.
"I mean, knowing the Green Bay Packers, we're going to go defense," said Love.
While Love said it with a smile, he's not wrong. Outside of the pick they used to select Love in 2020, the Packers have only added an offensive player in the first round once since 2011. They did, however, use last year's first-rounder on offensive lineman Jordan Morgan.
Adams followed by saying Love sounded like Aaron Rodgers.
Since drafting offensive tackle Derek Sherrod 14 years ago, the Packers have used their first-round picks to draft Love, Morgan, four edge-rushers, three cornerbacks, two interior defensive linemen, one linebacker, and one safety. Ironically, their top pick could be another pass-rusher or corner this year.
Love is probably right. The Packers may add a wide receiver this offseason, but history suggests it's highly unlikely to happen on the draft's opening night. We can also rule out any quarterbacks, running backs, or tight ends in Round 1. They could go offensive line, but the Packers' biggest needs are at center and guard, and they typically reserve first-round picks for tackles.
While Love was only making a lighthearted comment and certainly wasn't calling out his team, his statement was still likely true. We will spend the next two-and-a-half months discussing how the Packers can help Love with their top pick, only for Gutekunst to add another developmental pass-rusher.