"I mean, if I'm being honest, not a lot right now. That's our job as coaches. We've got to figure it out, because it's not good enough."
Those were the words of head coach Matt LaFleur after the Green Bay Packers' 27-19 win over the Carolina Panthers, when asked whether he'd seen enough to feel optimistic that his team could fix its run-game struggles. At least he's honest.
It's painful to watch the Packers run the football. It's like an anxiety dream where every step you take feels like trying to walk through water. Every rushing yard is hard work for this Packers offense.
Here's the million-dollar question: What can the Packers do about it?
They've tried different offensive line combinations, partly for scheme, but mostly out of necessity. They've tried different running backs.
None of it is working. Packers running backs averaged 1.9 yards per carry against a Panthers defense that entered Week 8 ranked No. 32 against the run. Josh Jacobs managed just 39 yards on 21 attempts.
Nothing is guaranteed to work, but Green Bay has three paths it can explore.
1. Trade for a running back
One option is to attack the running back position itself. It won't fix the problem alone, as the Packers' backs spend most of their time trying to run through a brick wall at the line of scrimmage. Blocking is a major issue.
That said, adding another game-changer to the backfield absolutely would help. Outside of Josh Jacobs, the Packers don't have much to scare opposing defenses.
MarShawn Lloyd hasn't lived up to expectations. He is far too hesitant and bounces runs outside instead of getting upfield. There was a particularly frustrating example against the Panthers, where Lloyd stared at a wide-open rushing lane, only to bounce outside and immediately get tackled.
The Packers have seemingly lost faith in Kaleb Johnson, who has fumbled twice this season and been a healthy scratch in both games since Jacobs' return.
So, who could they add?
Earlier this week, Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport reported for ESPN that the Packers have shown interest in trading for Jonathan Taylor. The Indianapolis Colts have ignited a fire sale before the deadline, and Taylor could be the next to depart.
Taylor is one of the league's premier running backs, and if anyone can make the most of poor run blocking, it's him. He led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns last season and is setting the pace again this year with eight.
Pairing Taylor with Jacobs would give the Packers the league's best 1-2 punch. It wouldn't solve the blocking problem, but the days of watching Lloyd take the wrong lanes would be over.
If Taylor is too expensive, Tony Pollard could make sense.
Pollard plays on arguably the NFL's worst team, and their offensive line has also struggled to move defenders in the run game. Per ESPN, Tennessee ranks No. 29 in run-block win rate.
That hasn't stopped Pollard from tallying 478 yards and four touchdowns at 4.3 yards per carry. According to Pro Football Reference, he has broken six tackles and has an impressive 181 yards after contact.
Kenneth Gainwell is a different kind of running back, and he'd be best served as a change-of-pace option behind Jacobs. Gainwell is an excellent pass-catcher, which could be exactly what the Packers need if they continue to struggle to run between the tackles.
2. Trade for an offensive lineman (and start Kevin Zeitler)
Trading for a running back could help, but it doesn't fix the root cause. If Josh Jacobs is averaging a career-low 2.3 yards per carry and struggling to get anything going, you know you have a problem.
The Packers have tried several offensive line combinations – some changes based on performance, but many due to injury. Slightly bizarrely, though, Green Bay signed three offensive linemen in the same week, but only one of them, Laken Tomlinson, has played. Kevin Zeitler and Mekhi Becton remain in reserve roles.
It's tough reading across the board, and the issue is that it's almost impossible to find a top-tier lineman midway through the season. Quenton Nelson was a rare exception, but despite the Packers' rumored interest, he's on his way to Seattle.
Veteran Landon Dickerson could be an option if the Philadelphia Eagles are willing to listen to offers. Dickerson has battled injuries but can play multiple interior positions, including some experience at center, and he could give the run game a boost.
Another name is Jackson Powers-Johnson, who has fallen out of favor in the Las Vegas Raiders' offense. He also offers versatility, but he's struggled this season and was benched two weeks ago. The Packers would be banking on his upside and improvement with a fresh start.
One immediate move is to actually start Zeitler. He earned a PFF run-blocking grade of 70.7 last season, which ranked 21st among guards.
Tomlinson at left guard, Zeitler at right guard? That might be the preferred path, unless the Packers can find an upgrade on the trade market.
3. Make a coaching change
It's not really the Packers' way, nor Matt LaFleur's, to fire an assistant midseason. But this isn't a normal situation. LaFleur's buddy Sean McVay did it last year by firing special teams coach Chase Blackburn.
Perhaps LaFleur could give the run game a jolt of life by bringing in a fresh voice with new ideas.
After all, we've already seen several starting combinations this season. The Packers have had six different guards and three centers. The only constants (after Zach Bako-Bewele's season-ending injury) are tackles Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton.
At what point does blame fall on offensive line coach Luke Butkus? The Packers' run-blocking issues aren't new, either. They struggled to consistently move defenders in the run game last season, and it's only gotten worse.
Is it coaching? Is it talent? The answer likely falls somewhere in the middle. Brian Gutekunst has typically prioritized pass protection over true run blockers, although he went bigger up front by signing Aaron Banks and drafting Anthony Belton. Gutekunst has allowed the offensive line to regress and has struck out many times when attempting to fix it.
But it's also fair to question the coaching, especially when former Packers are performing better elsewhere. Elgton Jenkins struggled in his final two seasons in Green Bay, but he's currently PFF's 14th-ranked center with the Cleveland Browns. Josh Myers ranks 25th at the position with the New York Jets.
The harsh reality is that Green Bay can't transform its entire offensive line midway through the season. It'll take an offseason overhaul.
For now, the team has to find something to get the run game going. Is that by adding a running back? Bringing in yet another offensive lineman? Making a coaching change? Or simply hoping for better injury luck and continuity up front, which will improve communication?
The answer might need to be a bit of everything. LaFleur admitted that the run game is "not good enough," but he didn't have a solution in mind. It's on him and Gutekunst to find a way, and that could involve the former shaking up his assistant staff.
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