Packers 2021 NFL Draft primer: Is this still Aaron Rodgers team?
By Mark Sipos
Unfortunately for the Green Bay Packers and its fan base, the 2020 NFL season ended in an all too familiar fashion: Falling just short of reaching the Super Bowl. This past season’s loss to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers marked the fourth time in the past seven seasons that Green Bay has lost in the NFC Conference championship game. While the Packers are a vastly improved team since Head Coach Matt LaFleur took over, they are still having trouble getting over the hump.
Earning his third MVP trophy for his elite play in 2020, Aaron Rodgers looked as sharp as ever, leading the team to a 13-3 record and another NFC North division title. Though 37 years old, Rodgers made a huge jump in his second season under LaFleur, posting a career-high in touchdown passes along with the second-highest passer rating of his career. Rodgers sack rate was a career-low 3.7 percent, allowing him time to dissect defenses.
Although there have been rumblings about his future, Rodgers seems to be in the plans for Green Bay for this upcoming season, allowing second-year man Jordan Love to have another redshirt type of season. While Rodgers is currently under contract through the 2023 NFL season, there is a way for Green Bay to separate themselves from him as early as the 2022 season. This is one storyline to keep an eye on moving forward towards the 2021 NFL Draft and beyond.
How does Packers roster stand compared to last season?
Moving forward, Green Bay has all of the main pieces from its 2020 season back. The biggest loss will be former starting center Corey Linsley, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers during free agency. The former Ohio State Buckeye has been one of the best centers since entering the league in 2014, starting 99 career games for the Packers.
The Packers also decided to release starting offensive right tackle Ricky Wagner and starting linebacker Christian Kirksey in order to save some cap space. Green Bay is also losing backup running back Jamaal Williams, who heads over to the division rival Detroit Lions along with former backup quarterback Tim Boyle.