The Green Bay Packers are walking into 2024 with a roster that feels both familiar and fundamentally different. Aaron Rodgers is gone, a trade that still stings for some, but opens the door for Jordan Love to finally take the reins. Now, the coaching staff around him is getting a serious shake-up, and that's going to ripple through Lambeau Field in ways some fans aren't quite ready for.
Look, the biggest news is Luke Getsy's return as offensive coordinator. He was in Green Bay from 2014 to 2021, serving as receivers coach and then passing game coordinator. During his last stint, the Packers offense consistently ranked in the top 10 in scoring, including a league-leading 31.8 points per game in 2020. That familiarity with the system, and with Love, could be huge for continuity. But it’s not just about comfort. Getsy’s time as the Bears’ offensive coordinator, while not statistically dominant (Chicago ranked 27th in points in 2023), saw Justin Fields develop into a legitimate dual-threat quarterback. That experience with a young, mobile QB could be a real asset for Love, who showed flashes of his own athleticism last season.
Matt LaFleur’s offense, even with Getsy back in the fold, is going to look different without Rodgers. Love isn't a carbon copy. He threw for 4,159 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2023, respectable numbers for a first-year starter, but he also took 30 sacks. Getsy's scheme in Chicago often incorporated more designed runs for the quarterback and play-action concepts, which could help Love. Think about the way the Packers ran the ball last year, averaging 112.1 yards per game, good for 15th in the league. With Josh Jacobs now in the backfield alongside AJ Dillon, expect that run game to get even more emphasis. Getsy’s prior offenses have leaned into establishing the run to set up play-action. If Love gets more opportunities to operate outside the pocket, it could unlock another dimension to his game that we only saw glimpses of last year.
Thing is, the biggest question isn't just about Getsy; it's about how much LaFleur truly cedes control. LaFleur has been the primary play-caller since arriving in Green Bay. While Getsy will bring his own ideas, the final word often comes from the head coach. This could be a genuine collaboration, or it could be a situation where Getsy is implementing LaFleur's vision with his own spin. My hot take? Getsy's return is less about a radical philosophical overhaul and more about bringing in a trusted lieutenant to refine what's already there, especially with a young quarterback still finding his footing. Don't expect the Packers to suddenly morph into a completely different offensive machine.
On the defensive side, the buzz around Jonathan Gannon coming in as defensive coordinator points to a significant shift. Gannon, formerly the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, is known for his 3-4 base defense. This is a departure from the 4-3 looks we've often seen in Green Bay. The Packers have the personnel to make this work, particularly with Kenny Clark, a dominant interior lineman who can command double teams. The key will be how they utilize their edge rushers like Rashan Gary and Preston Smith. In a 3-4, those guys become primary pass rushers, often coming from wider alignments, which could create more one-on-one opportunities.
Gannon's defenses, while sometimes criticized for being "soft" in Arizona, were effective at limiting explosive plays. In 2022, his Eagles defense ranked 2nd in the NFL in yards per game allowed (301.5). He prioritizes getting pressure with four rushers and playing tight coverage. This means the secondary, featuring Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes, will need to be on point. The Packers gave up 206.8 passing yards per game last year, 10th best, but still had some breakdowns. A Gannon defense aims to eliminate those.
The impact of these coaching changes on the Packers will be immediate and substantial. The offense will likely be more run-heavy and tailored to Love's strengths, while the defense will shift to a more aggressive 3-4 scheme designed to generate pressure and limit big plays. My bold prediction: The Packers will finish top 5 in the league in sacks in 2024.