3 reasons to be nervous about the Packers in 2023

The Green Bay Packers begin a new era in less than two weeks when they visit the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. It will be the Packers' first regular season game without Aaron Rodgers or Brett Favre on the roster for 32 years.

Green Bay enters the season with one of the league's youngest rosters. De'Vondre Campbell, Preston Smith, and David Bakhtiari are the only players on the roster 30 or above. No player is older than 31.

There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic and excited about the Packers; there were positive takeaways from the preseason. But they are entering the unknown. Here are three reasons to be nervous about the Packers this year.

3. Packers run defense

Run defense is a problem in Green Bay seemingly every year. It certainly was a season ago, with Joe Barry's unit allowing 139.5 yards on the ground per game at five yards per attempt.

Green Bay has invested heavily in its pass rush, which is smart. Six edge rushers made the 53-man roster, and rookie defensive linemen Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks provide interior pass rush.

Stopping the run remains a concern.

The Packers have a new-look defensive line. Jarran Reed and Dean Lowry are gone, replaced by T.J. Slaton and second-year Devonte Wyatt. Wooden and Brooks impressed at training camp and should see a significant share of snaps early on.

We know their ability to rush the passer, but this defense has yet to prove itself against the run. It's up to defensive coordinator Joe Barry to get his defense ready to shut down opposing rushing attacks.