Where is the offense? Lack of O holding Green Bay back

Through six weeks of the 2022-23 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers have scored just 107 points, good for about 17.8 points per game, and 23rd in the league in total points.

The low scoring is not the full reason for the Packers having just three wins in six games, but the dropoff in offensive production is not doing the team any favors. The Packers have yet to put together a game where all three areas of the team, offense, defense and special teams, have performed to winning standards.

While there were valid questions surrounding the offense in the offseason, not many people would have predicted the Packers to struggle as much as they have on that side of the ball. During his press conference after Green Bay’s 27-10 loss to the New York Jets, quarterback Aaron Rodgers detailed that the offense needs to simplify.

“(The offense is playing) very inconsistent, and that is why I think we need to simplify things,” said Rodgers. “Because on the couple of drives we did move the ball, it was very simple things. Very simple plays, no motion.”

While simplifying the offense may be a solution to becoming more consistent, the Packers may find trouble simplifying the offense, as veteran wide receiver Randall Cobb was forced out the game against the Jets with an ankle injury. While Cobb has produced just 257 yards on 18 receptions, most of his damage has come on third down.

With Cobb almost being used in a safety blanket type of role, someone will need to step up to fill that spot. With Christian Watson nursing a hamstring injury and Sammy Watkins on injured reserve, the Packers might be quickly running out of options to help fill the vacant role.

As the trade deadline looms on Nov. 1, speculations are starting to arise on if the Packers are going to make a move for another offensive weapon. Names like Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore and free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. have been floated around as possible acquisitions. Even with the roster as it is, Rodgers believes that the Packers are a Super Bowl winning team.

“We need Sammy back. I think that is happening here pretty soon,” said Rodgers. “(General Manager) Brian (Gutekunst) and I have had a number of conversations. I trust him and his staff that if they feel like they need to add that they will. I think there’s enough on this team to be a successful team.”

Having dealt with injuries to both Watson and Watkins, the Packers have been short to find sparks in the offense. Since both receivers play that field-stretching role, big plays have been hard to come by for Green Bay. In fact, Rodgers is just 6-for-22 on passes of 20 yards or more.

While the big play is eluding the Packers every week, running back Aaron Jones was once again nowhere to be seen with the ball in his hands against the Jets. Recording just 12 touches during the game, only nine of them came on the ground. Green Bay has seemingly struggled with consistently using their run game this season, only recording two rushing touchdowns, with one of them coming from Watson.

“Yeah, that’s not good enough,” said Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, when questioned about Jones receiving just three carries in the first half against the Jets.

Jones absence from the offense has been puzzling, as the sixth-year running back has proven that he is one of the better runners in the NFL, with 42 career rushing touchdowns. The state of the offensive line may need to take some blame for that though, as the play of the unit as a whole has left a lot to be desired this year.

Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams took over the game, as he recorded four tackles and two sacks. To help combat his dominant performance, LaFleur made the switch at right guard from Royce Newman to Jake Hanson. That was quickly changed though as Hanson went down with an injury.

Tackle David Bakhtiari, who has either been out or limited for the last year and half played the entire game before the starters were taken out. While that is a good sign for the offensive line, it presents a problem. Backup tackle Yosh Nijman has shown that he is capable of playing starter snaps in the NFL.

“I think that everything is on the table,” said LaFleur, when asked if using Nijman is an option.

If the Packers went the route of moving Nijman to right tackle, they could transition Elgton Jenkins back to guard, a position that he has thrived at in the past. One thing is certain though, some problems that the Packers are having on the offense start with the offensive line. Keeping Rodgers upright will lead to more success from the offense, granted the wide receivers and running backs can effectively contribute as well.

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com