Roster Holes Packers Must Fill Before Training Camp

The Green Bay Packers enter the 2023 season in completely unfamiliar territory.

After years of being the favorite to win the NFC North or at least the second choice they actually have the longest odds to win the division at DraftKings Sportsbook right now.

Much of that has to do with the transition at quarterback. The Aaron Rodgers era is officially over and Jordan Love's time to prove himself has come. It also has to do with the fact that this team went 8-9 after three straight seasons of winning 13 games.

If the Packers want to avoid a similar fate this season they have to get good play out of Love. They also have to have a more complete roster.

While the additions for the offseason are mostly complete there are still a few spots that could use a veteran addition from the free agent market. Here are three areas where it would be worth exploring a late signing or trade.

Tight End

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Luke Musgrave

The transition from college to the NFL is tough. It's especially difficult for tight ends as they have to walk in the world of blocking and being a receiver. Their dual lives as lineman and receivers means double the learning and adjusting.

As the roster stands right now, the Packers are going to need contributions from two rookies. Luke Musgrave (No. 42 overall) and Sean Kraft (No. 78 overall) were both picked in the top 100.

While both are good prospects who should be able to contribute, expecting that to happen by Week 1 might be asking a bit much.

The Packers also have Josiah Deguara, but he's more of an H-Back who plays a different role.

The tight end market is fairly thin. Geoff Swaim might be the best fit. He isn't an explosive receiver by any stretch but he's made 29 starts over the last two seasons and can run block at 6'4", 260 pounds.

At the least, it gives the Packers a veteran with starting experience who could help bring the young guys along.

Interior Defenders

AP Photo/Rich Schultz

Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt

The Packers have a chance to be elite on defense in 2023. On paper, they have difference0-makers at every level of the defense.

But if there's an Achilles heel, it's going to be the depth up front. Kenny Clark is the start on the interior, Devonte Wyatt has the ability to make a big jump in Year 2 and T.J. Slaton is an ideal nose tackle.

They will form the trio on the inside when the Packers are in their base 3-4 alignment. After that, things get a little dicey. None of the other options on the roster played a single snap for the Packers last season.

Jonathan Ford was on the roster last season but didn't play. Chris Slayton hasn't played since getting drafted in 2019. Four rookies including Karl Brooks rounds out the other options.

Even if you tab first-round pick Lukas Van Ness to kick inside and absorb some of the snaps there's just not a lot of proven depth.

There are some intriguing veterans on the free agent market. Shelby Harris has a long track record of proven production and Chris Wormley is a year removed from a seven-sack season.

Backup Quarterback

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

ASHWAUBENON, WISCONSIN - MAY 31: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers participates in an OTA practice session at Don Hutson Center on May 31, 2023 in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

One of the Packers biggest goals this season should be to find out if Jordan Love is truly the quarterback of the future. They have two years left on his deal after he signed a one-year extension but decisions about quarterbacks generally need to be made a year before you get to the next extension.

But there are two realities that need to be planned for. The first is that Love isn't good enough to get the most out of the team. It's not ideal, but we still have no idea how he's going to play after just 83 passing attempts in two seasons.

The second scenario is if Love gets hurt. He's not seen extended live action outside of the preseason much over the last two seasons and injuries are a reality of playing quarterback in the NFL.

If either of those things happens, the Packers' current options are Sean Clifford and Danny Etling. Clifford is a fifth-round pick who is unlikely to be ready to start this year. Etling was drafted in 2018 and still hasn't thrown a pass in an NFL regular season game.

This quarterback room could use a legitimate veteran who has actually played meaningful snaps. Teddy Bridgewater is probably the best option. He's made 65 starts with 75 touchdowns to 47 interceptions and served as the backup to Tua Tagovailoa most recently.