The Green Bay Packers were so close. They had multiple chances to finish off the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round. Had they held onto victory, a winnable game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field awaited, a matchup they had already conquered earlier in the season.
Matt LaFleur's young team fell short, but they announced the arrival of a newly-opened Super Bowl window on a national stage.
To the dismay of NFC North fans worldwide, less than a year removed from Aaron Rodgers' departure, the Packers are back. The "rebuild" lasted about eight games.
But the Packers can't expect to take the next step in the NFC without upgrading the roster. Green Bay must check off this to-do list to make it to next year's Super Bowl.
7. Keep Aaron Jones and Preston Smith
We were ready to hit the reset button halfway through the season. The Packers seemingly did, too, by trading starting cornerback Rasul Douglas. Had Green Bay's slow start continued and led to a losing record, Aaron Jones and Preston Smith would almost certainly be gone due to their increasing cap hits.
However, with a Super Bowl in sight, the Packers must find a way to keep them. They are too important to this team.
Jones rushed for over 100 yards in five straight games to close out the season. In the playoffs, he ran all over the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, showing that he is still playing the best football of his career.
Smith's eight sacks and 21 quarterback hits helped the Packers reach the playoffs, and he added 1.5 sacks to his total in the postseason. Green Bay can't afford to lose Smith, especially with Kingsley Enagbare likely to be sidelined for most of the regular season.
Whether the Packers restructure their contracts, offer extensions, or continue with their current cap hits, Jones and Smith must return no matter what. Whatever it takes.
6. Replace De'Vondre Campbell
One cap-saving move the Packers will likely make is to release veteran linebacker De'Vondre Campbell. Moving on from Campbell would only create $2.6 million this season, but the greater impact comes down the line, as it would remove around $25 million of upcoming cap hits in future years.
The Packers can move into 2024 with confidence in Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie, but they will need to add another linebacker if Campbell departs. Jeff Hafley's 4-3 scheme will feature three linebackers in base defense. If Campbell isn't part of the Packers' long-term plans, they need to find another starting-level linebacker in free agency or the draft.
5. Draft a running back
General manager Brian Gutekunst said the team anticipates Aaron Jones returning in 2024, but the outlook is less clear for AJ Dillon, whose rookie contract expires next month.
The Packers should draft at least one running back, as it achieves two things. In the short term, Green Bay needs a complementary running back. There was a noticeable lack of efficiency on the ground when Jones didn't play—Dillon averaged 3.4 yards per carry compared to Jones's 4.6.
In the long term, a rookie running back could eventually take the lead-back duties from Jones. Running back is an under-the-radar offseason need, even if Jones returns.
4. Add a run-stuffing defensive tackle
And while we're on the theme of running the ball, Jeff Hafley's top priority is to improve Green Bay's struggling rush defense. The unit ranked 28th and 26th against the run in the past two years. Hafley's aggressive system should make life more challenging for opponents to run the ball, but scheme can only take you so far.
The Packers must also add another run-stuffer to the defensive line. Green Bay's front seven offers plenty of interior pass rush, but bringing in another physical player who shuts down rushing attacks should be a priority. Texas's T'Vondre Sweat would be a dream draft target in the early rounds. Sweat is a phenomenal run defender and is improving as an interior rusher.
3. Use free agency
Brian Gutekunst hinted at the Packers using free agency this offseason, which is encouraging. They need to.
"I do feel whatever opportunities are out there to improve our team in free agency, we'll be able to do that. So I feel good about that," said Gutekunst.
The Packers rarely spend big, but they don't need to. They will have options to address positions of need like safety, cornerback, and linebacker in free agency, which eases the pressure in the draft. The last thing you want is to reach for prospects at areas of need. Using free agency prevents that.
A few veteran pieces, along with another solid draft class, can help transform this roster.
2. Continue to build the offensive line
The Packers have drafted at least one offensive lineman in all but one of Brian Gutekunst's six draft classes. You can never have enough talent across the line, as injuries often pile up. Green Bay likely has four starting positions locked in for 2024, but depth is an issue.
If David Bakhtiari departs, the Packers lack depth behind starting tackles Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom. They also don't have much backup at the interior positions, especially if Jon Runyan Jr. signs elsewhere in free agency.
The Packers love versatility along the line and should add multiple linemen in the draft. They don't necessarily need to go early—Gutekunst is a master of landing starters on Day 3—but restocking the offensive line depth is a must if the Packers have serious Super Bowl aspirations.
1. Rebuild the secondary around Jaire Alexander
Jaire Alexander isn't going anywhere. Gutekunst made that clear. But can we name a guaranteed starter at any of the other positions in the defensive backfield? Carrington Valentine has a good chance, but the Packers can still improve at outside corner.
Three of Green Bay's starting safeties and its slot corner are free agents. Quite honestly, they could all be gone. The Packers must add multiple defensive backs this offseason, likely through a combination of free agency and the draft.
They need a safety who is comfortable playing in a single-high system, while slot corner remains a significant issue. Strengthening the secondary is urgently needed to overcome the best passing attacks the NFC has to offer.