Tag: Green Bay Packers

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 75, Ohio State DE Jack Sawyer

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Ohio State edge rusher Jack Sawyer.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL draft.

This past season, Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness combined for 10.5 sacks for the Green Bay Packers. That’s simply not good enough from two former first-round picks. 

The Packers gave defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich his walking papers and replaced him with DeMarcus Covington, who served as the New England Patriots defensive coordinator this past season.

It will be up to Covington to get Gary back on track and hopefully help Van Ness enjoy a breakout campaign in 2025. 

Even if those two take steps in the right direction, the Packers could still use another edge rusher to team with Gary, Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare and Brenton Cox Jr. 

Jack Sawyer is an edge rusher Brian Gutekunst could target on Day 2 during the 2025 NFL Draft. The Ohio State defensive end checks in at No. 75 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A former five-star recruit, Sawyer recorded three sacks during his first season on campus. The following season, Sawyer recorded seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. In 2023, Sawyer recorded 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

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This past season, Sawyer played a key role in helping the Buckeyes win the National Championship. He recorded 59 tackles, nine tackles for loss, nine sacks and one interception. During the College Football Player, Sawyer recorded four sacks and had a fumble return for a touchdown during Ohio State’s semifinal victory over Texas. 

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“Sawyer was one of four captains for the Buckeyes this season, but he was also the guy who was instrumental in starting the momentum on getting around 10 teammates to put the NFL on hold and return in 2024 for their senior seasons,” Tony Gerdeman, the lead writer for Buckeye Huddle said. “He is the guy who will keep fighting even after the battle is lost, literally and figuratively. Aside from the emotional and leadership aspects, he was also a guy who was never hurt, could play 60 snaps in a game and would just keep playing. He is football.”

Sawyer is a stout run defender and sets a firm edge. The Buckeye defensive end shows the lateral quickness to infiltrate gaps to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Sawyer plays with a cranked-up motor and has good pursuit speed as a backside defender to chase down ball carriers. 

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“There have been some people over the years who would tell you he is a better run stopper than pass rusher,” Gerdeman said. “He’s a very smart defender who can set an edge or chase the backside. He keeps his eyes up and doesn’t just lose himself in his pass rush. Sawyer is a very good athlete who can run and chase, or hold up at the point of attack.”

Sawyer has physical hands to wear down offensive linemen. He’s a black belt in hand fighting and utilizes an effective cross shop. He has the power to cave the pocket and finished this past season with a career-high 64 pressures, including 21 during Ohio State’s run to the National Championship in the College Football Playoff. 

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“In his time at Ohio State, Sawyer was often criticized for not getting to the quarterback enough,” Gerdeman said. “He finished his career with 23 sacks (JT Tuimoloau finished with 24), which is tied for eighth-most in OSU history with former first-round picks Will Smith and Eric Kumerow. In terms of how he wins, he showed against Texas his ability to use speed to get around talented tackles. He can bend and turn a corner. He isn’t just a speed rusher, however. He has spent years working on the minute details of hands and feet and all of the stuff that coaches love

Fit with the Packers

The Packers need to add juice to their pass rush and while Sawyer is nowhere near being the most explosive edge rusher in this class. He’s not a twitched-up edge rusher. However, he has a refined pass rush plan that’s predicated on power and relentless motor.

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“If I draft Sawyer, I know that I’m drafting a guy who isn’t going to flake out,” Gerdeman said. “He’s going to be all in at all times. He can be a defensive end in an even front or outside linebacker in an odd front. He could get bigger or smaller depending on what the defense needs. The guy just wants to win and will work to make it happen.”

Adding a player like Sawyer to Green Bay’s defensive end group would give Hafley a player that’s NFL ready. He’s going to bring the same effort on each snap. He’ll help Green Bay’s run defense continue to improve while being a player that could register five to eight sacks during his rookie campaign.

With his skillset, Sawyer could challenge Van Ness for starting reps as a rookie. Regardless if he earns a starting role, a team can never have enough pass rushers and if last year is any indicator, the Packers need to add a pass rusher or two this offseason.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 76, Texas DT Vernon Broughton

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Texas defensive lineman Vernon Broughton.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL draft.

Disappointing. That would be the word best used to describe the play of Green Bay’s defensive line this past season under first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. It was so disappointing that they gave defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich his walking papers and replaced him with DeMarcus Covington, who served as the New England Patriots defensive coordinator this past season.

It will be up to Covington to see if he can get the production to catch up to the potential of a group that has four former first-round picks. 

It’s a group that will remain largely intact, except for TJ Slaton, who is set to hit the open market.

A player who could be on Green Bay’s radar as they look to add more talent to the mix is Vernon Broughton. The Texas defensive tackle checks in at No. 76 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

During his first three seasons on campus, Broughton recorded three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. In 2024, Broughton recorded five tackles for loss and one sack, while playing behind T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy

This past season, Broughton recorded 39 tackles, five tackles for loss, four sacks, and forced two fumbles. 

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“Broughton was one of the biggest surprises from the Texas defense,” Joey Hickey, a contributing writer for Athlon Sports said. “After Texas lost T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy to the NFL, many expected the Texas interior to be a weakness. Broughton played a huge role in Texas having the fourth most sacks in the nation.”

Broughton is an active interior presence and has an ideal frame. He gets upfield quickly and is a violent pass rusher, with the power to bench-press offensive linemen off of him. He shows good closing burst to the quarterback and finished this past season with 32 pressures. 

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“Broughton is bruising, physical and technical as a pass rusher,” Hickey said. “He had talent out of high school as one of the best defensive recruits from the Tom Herman era at Texas. He has the technique of a veteran player with several years of college coaching.”

Broughton does a good job of getting off blocks and disrupting the action in the backfield. He uses his hands well and has a radar for the football. The Texas defensive tackle has the lateral quickness to make plays up and down the line of scrimmage. He has a strong trunk and can be hard to move off his spot. According to Pro Football Focus he finished this past season with 26 run stops. 

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“Run defense has perhaps been Broughton’s biggest area of improvement,” Hickey said. “He isn’t necessarily elite in run stuffing but can hold his own in the trenches.”

Fit with the Packers

Adding a player like Broughton to the mix could provide Green Bay’s interior pass rush with a much-needed shot in the arm. Devonte Wyatt, Kenny Clark, Karl Brooks and Slaton combined for 10 sacks this past season, with five of them coming from Wyatt.

Broughton would slot into the rotation and help Green Bay’s run defense continue its upward trajectory while helping Green Bay’s pass rush become a more consistent force.

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“With Broughton, you’re getting a well-developed player,” Hickey said. “He comes from a culture of competition in the defensive tackle room. There’s a pattern of several Longhorns defensive linemen who didn’t transfer, competed and made the most of their opportunity when they got it. Keondre Coburn, T’Vondre Sweat and Alfred Collins all broke out as “super seniors” which speaks to their ability to face adversity and make the most of it. Broughton could also make an immediate impact perhaps faster than other rookies because he’s older and perhaps stronger.”

Cincinnati Bengals implored to strike up trade with Packers

One trade suggestion for the Bengals loops in the Packers.

During one of the most crucial stretches of the organization’s history, the Cincinnati Bengals will look at all avenues to improve the team this offseason.

While contracts for the likes of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson take the spotlight, other means of improving the roster will also get a look.

Take, for example, striking up trades. One interesting hypothetical idea just proposed? Calling the Green Bay Packers about linebacker Quay Walker, courtesy of Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport:

Walker has struggled at times for Green Bay. He needs to clean up his tackling and he’s still refining his game, but the prospect of adding more length and athleticism to pair with Wilson could make this a better defense next season.

RELATED: One CPOTY voter ranked Russell Wilson over Joe Burrow

It’s easy to handwave such an idea away because the roster already boasts Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt.

But as outsiders, we can’t 100 percent know how new coordinator Al Golden feels about both for the future. He helped coach both up, yes, but with full control of the overall unit, perhaps he wants different skill sets for his scheme.

Walker has struggled with 20 missed tackles and has issues in coverage, but the former first-round pick has some interesting upside and is on an affordable rookie contract before a fifth-year option.

If nothing else, perhaps this is an example of a mid-tier move the Bengals could look to do this offseason while shuffling the roster up.

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Unpacking Future Packers: No. 77, Florida WR Chimere Dike

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Florida wide receiver Chimere Dike.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL draft.

Brian Gutekunst has drafted 10 wide receivers since taking over as general manager of the Green Bay Packers in 2018. Out of those 10 wide receivers, seven of them competed at the Senior Bowl and out of those seven, five of them were drafted on Day 3.

A wide receiver who was down in Mobile this year and could be a Day 3 target for the Packers during the 2025 NFL Draft is Chimere Dike. The Florida Gators wide receiver and Wisconsin Badger transfer checks in at No. 77 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown. 

During his lone season at the Swamp, Dike reeled in 42 receptions for 783 yards and a pair of touchdowns. In his four seasons as a Badger, Dike hauled in 97 receptions for 1,478 yards and nine touchdowns. 

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“Dike was an important target for DJ Lagway and Graham Mertz,” Adam Dubbin, the managing editor of Gators Wire, said. “Additionally, his speed and versatility came in handy in many facets of the game. It’s worth noting that he was the primary punt returner for the Gators, leading the SEC in return yardage with an average of 16.5 per return. Every team can use a jack-of-all-trades like Dike.”

Dike is a three-level threat and a well-rounded wide receiver. The Florida wide receiver has some suddenness in his release to quickly gain separation at the line of scrimmage and gets downfield quickly with his strong strides. He shows sharp footwork at the top of his routes. He understands route leverage and has good body flexibility. The former Badger wide receiver has strong hands and plucks the ball away from his frame.

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“His speed is his greatest strength,” Dubbin said. “Not just sprinting speed, but lateral speed and the ability to quickly adjust his momentum on the fly. His body control allows him to be right where he needs to be when the pass arrives, plus he has the athleticism to accommodate throws that might not be quite on the mark.”

Despite not being the biggest wide receiver, Dike is willing to get physical as a blocker and appears to enjoy the physical side of the game. The Gators would often send him in motion and have him crash down, much like the Los Angeles Rams utilized Cooper Kupp. 

“Despite his diminutive size, he is willing to throw his body at defenders and was utilized in this role regularly lining up in the slot,” Dubbin said. “I would have concerns about his frame handling NFL-level physicality, but the willingness and motivation are there.”

Dike brings special teams value with his experience as a punt and kick returner. He finished his collegiate career with 26 punt returns and 20 kick returns.

Fit with the Packers

It’s Super Bowl week and the talk surrounding the Packers is they need a No. 1 wide receiver. If Josh Jacobs gets his wish, the Packers will land a big fish in free agency or via trade. 

As we wait to see what Gutekunst does this offseason, there is still talent inside Green Bay’s wide receiver room. 

There were times early on this past season when Jayden Reed looked like he had established himself as the leader of the wide receiver classroom. Then he got hit with the drop bug, the same bug that impacted Dontavyion Wicks for much of the season. 

There is no denying Christian Watson’s big-play ability and the value he brings to the offense. After suffering a torn ACL in Week 18, the former North Dakota State University star likely won’t be back until the middle of the upcoming season. 

Despite his gobs of potential, the Packers will have to take into account the durability concerns when it comes to giving Watson a second contract.

Romeo Doubs was just okay and one has to wonder if he has done enough to get a second contract with the Packers.

With his toughness, speed and special teams value, Dike could be a late Day 3 target for the Packers to add to the mix.

With Keisean Nixon wanting to retire from returning kicks, Dike could be a potential replacement for him and he’d provide quality depth at wide receiver.

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“Dike is one of those guys you just love having on your roster,” Dubbin said. “His versatility, football IQ and heart are the trifecta of a true team player, and he is the kind of athlete who will find a role somehow.”

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Dike is not the most dynamic wide receiver in this class. He’s not the most dangerous with the ball in his hands. He’s not the best route runner. He may not be great at one single thing, he just does everything well. He’s a well-rounded player, who could provide an immediate impact as a return specialist and is willing to do the dirty work on the edges. He’s the ideal bottom-of-the-depth-chart wide receiver.

Packers QB Jordan Love admits he fought through adversity of injury in 2024

Packers QB Jordan Love admitted battling through the adversity of multiple injuries during a frustrating 2024 season.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love shifted no blame to his injury situation but did admit the adversity of playing through multiple injuries provided an opportunity for growth as a player during the 2024 season.

Love, who injured his knee and groin during the first half of the season before suffering an elbow injury in the season finale, spoke about rehabbing and fighting through the injuries of a frustrating season while speaking with Kay Adams of “Up and Adams Show” from the Super Bowl.

“I think, you look at this year, me, battling through injury. So, having that adversity that I’m trying to fight through,” Love said. “Several injuries. So it was a lot of that. A lot of fighting through, trying to get my mind right for the game, and trying to fight through some pain, things like that. It was an inconsistent year.”

Love injured his MCL late in Week 1, missed two games, returned ahead of schedule in Week 4 and then injured his groin in Week 8.

Love explained how treating and rehabbing an injury situation during the week can provide a physical and mental challenge.

“Week 1, MCL. So that was the big one,” Love said. “I was battling, missed two games with it, came back, came back early. And was fighting through that. It was a tough injury, one that limits you a little bit what you can mobility wise. Couple weeks after that, ended up straining my groin because of the knee. That whole thing just put a damper on things. It’s something that you’re, every week, every day in the facility you’re doing the rehab trying to fight through and just get ready for the game. A lot of your mindset goes into trying to get your body right for it. It’s tough. You’re not 100 percent. But we know that no one is ever 100 percent in the NFL.”

Love ended up completing 63.0 percent of his passes, averaging 8.0 yards per attempt, throwing 25 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions and finishing with a 96.7 passer rating across 15 games in 2024. He improved in several key areas but ended up struggling to end the year, and he threw three interceptions in the playoff loss in Philadelphia.

Love didn’t take the big step forward in his second season as a starter, but the injuries can be viewed as a big reason why. Keeping Love healthy has to be a key factor for the Packers improving from good to great in 2025.

Here’s the interview:

Which Packers received votes for awards at NFL Honors?

Four different players and coaches received votes for major awards at NFL Honors following the 2024 season.

The Green Bay Packers didn’t have a finalist for any of the major awards announced Thursday night at NFL Honors, but several players and coaches did receive votes following the 2024 season.

Fifty voters assembled by the Associated Press vote on the season-ending awards. Winners are determined on a point-based system.

Here’s a quick look at the Packers receiving votes for major awards in 2024:

Defensive Player of the Year

Safety Xavier McKinney received two second-place votes, one third-place vote, one fourth-place vote and two fifth-place votes. He finished eighth in the voting overall. Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II was the winner.

Coach of the Year

Matt LaFleur received one third-place vote and two fourth-place votes and finished 10th in the voting overall. Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell was the winner.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper received one second-place vote, three third-place votes, four fourth-place votes and eight fifth-place votes. He finished sixth in the voting overall. Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Jared Verse was the winner.

Offensive Player of the Year

Running back Josh Jacobs received two fifth-place votes and finished 11th in the voting overall. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was the winner.

Former Packers receiver Sterling Sharpe was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2025. He was a senior candidate.

Packers defensive lineman Kenny Clark was the team’s finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

Packers legend Sterling Sharpe elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

Packers legend Sterling Sharpe’s wait is over. He’s heading to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Green Bay Packers legend Sterling Sharpe is going to Canton. On Thursday night, Sharpe was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2025.

Sharpe was voted in as a Senior candidate, only one of three finalists in the category.

In his seven years with the Packers, Sharpe was a Pro Bowler five times and selected as a first-team All-Pro three times. He was the No. 7 overall pick in the 1988 draft out of South Carolina.

In 1992, he set the NFL record for the most receptions in a single season with 108 and then broke his own record in 1993 when he caught 112 passes.

In addition to Sharpe, Jared Allen, Eric Allen and Antonio Gates have also been elected to the Hall of Fame.

Virginia McCaskey’s final game as Bears owner was a victory over the Packers

Caleb Williams gave Virginia McCaskey a glimpse of the Bears’ future in her last game.

On Thursday morning, the Chicago Bears announced that principal owner Virginia McCaskey had died at the age of 102. McCaskey had presided over the Bears since 1983 and was the eldest child of Bears founder George Halas, one of the most important people in pro football history.

Unfortunately for McCaskey, while the Bears flirted with greatness now and then during her primary control of the team — a berth in Super Bowl 41 comes to mind — they were mostly an afterthought, especially starting in the early 1990s.

But if McCaskey could take one solace in one thing, it was getting to see a potential glimpse of the future in her last Bears vs. Green Bay Packers matchup.

To close the 2024 NFL season, Caleb Williams’ Bears went into Lambeau Field and stunned their long-time rivals with a thrilling last-second victory. It was spurred by an awesome game-winning drive led by Williams, which culminated in this 51-yard field goal from Cairo Santos:

Regardless of what happens next for Williams’ Bears, McCaskey got to see her team beat the Packers one last time. That’s special. May she rest in peace.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 78: Oklahoma State OL Dalton Cooper

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Oklahoma State offensive lineman Dalton Cooper.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL draft.

Josh Myers is set to hit free agency this offseason and Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, and Sean Rhyan are all entering contract years for the Green Bay Packers.

With all those potential moving parts along the offensive line, Brian Gutekunst will likely look to add an offensive lineman or two in the 2025 NFL Draft.

A potential target on Day 3 of the upcoming draft is Dalton Cooper. The Oklahoma State offensive lineman checks in at No. 78 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown. 

A Texas State transfer, Cooper came to Oklahoma State with 36 career starts at left tackle to his name. During his first season as a Cowboy, Cooper started two games at right tackle and 11 at left tackle. This past season, Cooper started eight games at left tackle.  

“It was a rough year across the board for the Oklahoma State offensive line,  but Cooper was often the most consistent blocker,” Scott Wright, the Oklahoma State beat writer for The Oklahoman, said. “His pass protection was particularly strong, as was his leadership.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Cooper gave up zero sacks and six pressures this past season. The Oklahoma State offensive tackle is a wide-framed blocker. He operates with controlled steps. Everything from the top down stays in sync in his pass sets. The 57-game starter is schematically smart and has a high football IQ. 

“Pass protection is easily his strength,” Wright said. “He went head-up with some really talented defensive ends this season and held his own at every opportunity. He has a long frame with good reach and good footwork. He really understands footwork. He isn’t insanely athletic, but he can move his feet to get in the right position. He uses his long arms well, in fact, he could probably still add some upper-body strength and get even better in that area.”

Cooper climbs to the second level with ease and hits his landmarks. He delivers a jolt at contact and can push defenders aside to open up running lanes. 

“Run blocking is his least consistent area,” Wright said. “He’s not the type to bulldoze people, but he understands schemes and can get to the second level well. He’s intelligent and that will go a long way to making sure he’s in the right place. That will help him in the NFL as he gets accustomed to the physicality needed to run block at that level.”

Fit with the Packers

The Packers need to bolster the depth of the offensive line. If Tom or Walker were to suffer an injury they could have a major problem at offensive tackle. 

With his experience playing both tackle spots, Cooper could provide the Packers with a swing tackle. 

“It starts with his wealth of experience and production,” Wright said. “Between four years at Texas State and two at Oklahoma State, Cooper has played more than 3,800 total snaps, with over 2,300 as a pass blocker, yet he gave up just 10 sacks in his entire career. Then his versatility is valuable, having shown he can play both right and left tackle. He’s a high-IQ player, a hard worker and a good locker-room guy. He’s not going to cause trouble or become disheartened if he isn’t starting. He’s a low-risk pick considering the capabilities of his potential.”

The Packers have had a ton of success drafting offensive linemen on Day 3 of the draft and developing them into quality starters. Cooper could be the next in line.

With his wealth of experience, pass-blocking prowess and football IQ, Cooper could be a valuable addition to Green Bay’s offensive line.

Josh Jacobs wants Packers to target these 3 positions this offseason

Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs wants the Packers to add at three positions this offseason: defensive end, defensive back and wide receiver.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs made the rounds at Radio Row in New Orleans on Wednesday. During his various appearances, the Pro Bowler made one thing clear: the Packers need help to become one of the NFL’s great teams in 2025.

And he was rather specific about where he thinks the Packers need to add.

In a sit down with Chris Simms and Mike Florio of NBC Sports, Jacobs pointed to three positions where he thinks the Packers could use help.

“We’re probably missing like 2-3 pieces. Once we get that, we’ll be alright. I think we need another defensive end. I think we need another defensive back. And I think we need a wide receiver — a real (No. 1) wide receiver. I love the guys we have in the receiver room, they all have the potential to be a No. 1, but we need a guy that’s proven to be a No. 1.”

It’s hard to disagree with Jacobs’ assessment. Rushing the passer from the edge was a problem for most of the season, so adding a defensive end is likely. With Jaire Alexander’s future uncertain and Eric Stokes entering free agency, cornerback is a need. And wide receiver is suddenly a question mark after Christian Watson suffered a significant injury and none of the second-year receivers took a big jump in 2024.

Jacobs said the Packers struggled the “details” and didn’t make the “4-5 plays” that often decide big games.

Among other things in the interview, Jacobs said the 2024 season was one of the “healthiest” for him in the NFL. He played in every game for just the second time in his professional career and still feels great despite handling over 350 touches.

“This is the healthiest my body has felt,” Jacobs said. “I feel as good as can be.”

The final part of the interview was on Jordan Love.

“Everybody loves him. He’s the guy. Don’t get it mistaken,” Jacobs said. “We have the utmost confidence and respect and love for him. He’s one of those guys who is going to do everything right, he’s going to lead the team the right way, he’s going to motivate people the right way, and he’s going to put in extra time. He’s living what he preaches. He’s just one of those guys you love to go out there and play for. He’s going to be good. Get some pieces around him, make him feel a little more comfortable. Obviously dealt with the injury early that lingered throughout the whole year. Once he gets comfortable, he’s going to be good.”