Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers understand the situation. Instead of trying to replace one of the game’s best players, the Packers will evolve on offense to fit the leftover personnel.
Rodgers acknowledged that the Packers offense will be different now than All-Pro receiver Davante Adams is in Las Vegas.
“The offense has to change,” Rodgers said last week. “Last year, when you have a guy who is that talented, it’s probably not an exaggeration to say that 80 percent of the plays in the passing game were designed specifically for 17, so we’re obviously gonna do some things a little different.”
Adams was targeted 169 times in 16 games during the 2021 season. He accounted for 123 completions, 1,553 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Packers passing game.
Green Bay granted Adams’ wish and traded him to Las Vegas in March. His departure leaves a significant hole in the offense but also creates an opportunity for Rodgers and coach Matt LaFleur to build something different entering 2022.
There will not be a singularly dominant force at wide receiver, but the Packers have two dynamic running backs, three veteran wide receivers, a diverse group of tight ends and three potential-filled rookie pass-catchers.
The best offenses can change. The best coaches evolve their schemes to fit the personnel.
Games without Adams over the last three seasons present somewhat of a blueprint for what’s likely ahead for the Packers offense. Rodgers will spread the ball around to more players, and the running backs – especially Aaron Jones – can be expected to be used more in the passing game. LaFleur and Rodgers are 7-0 without Adams in the lineup since 2019, so this group knows how to adjust on the fly. But redesigning a passing game in the offseason is different from creating a one-week game plan.
The receiver position will be in the spotlight.
Allen Lazard, who is entering Year 5 in Green Bay, and Sammy Watkins, the veteran addition, will each get opportunities to be the top target. Randall Cobb returns to provide an experienced option in the slot. Christian Watson could help replace Marquez Valdes-Scantling as the deep threat, and he should get opportunities to be a gadget weapon. Romeo Doubs is a polished wide receiver who could get on the field early in his career. And the Packers are bringing back Juwann Winfree, Amari Rodgers and Malik Taylor from last year’s team.
LaFleur could be building the offense around Jones and A.J. Dillon, who each went over 1,000 total yards last season. Jones is a slashing runner who can hit home runs in the run game and also line up all across the formation in the passing game. Dillon is the sledgehammer, but he’s also a highly underrated receiver. Together, the pair could easily handle over 500 touches during the 2022 season.
Adams’ departure leaves the Packers without a star in the passing game. In response, LaFleur and Rodgers are evolving the offense. The end product – which could be a more pure form of the LaFleur scheme – figures to be one of the most fascinating storylines for the Packers entering this season.